Girlguiding UK shapes up uniforms with Alvanon

LONDON: The UK’s largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women, Girlguiding UK, has received a body shape analysis, new garment grading guidelines and fit strategy for its clothing from apparel fit and size expert Alvanon.

Alvanon has donated consultancy services through its AlvaInsight division worth £10,000 as a contribution towards a long term project enabling Girlguiding UK to review uniform sizing for its membership of more than 500,000 girls and young women. Alvanon analysts developed a body growth chart incorporating key fit points for measurement and a recommended grade rule table and guidelines for the top and bottom elements of the uniform. In addition Girlguiding UK received AlvaInsight’s commitment for further consultation to support the implementation of improvements that the review recommends.

Commenting on Alvanon’s support, Nicola Johnson, merchandise planner for Girlguiding UK Trading Service said: “We always want to supply uniforms that are comfortable and that our members are proud to wear. Alvanon has been generous in supporting us and providing invaluable, high-quality information and we are looking forward to working with our suppliers to see if and where improvements can be made. “

Girlguiding UK is the United Kingdom's largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women, with more than half a million members including about 100,000 trained volunteers. 'Girlguiding UK' is a registered charity operating under the name of The Guide Association. It is incorporated and governed by Royal Charter. More information on the organisation can be found at www.girlguiding.org.uk.

Through its three integrated divisions, AlvaInsight, AlvaForm and AlvaBlock, Alvanon offers practical solutions that enable its clients to develop, execute and assess “fit” consistently and continuously from design through to consumer. AlvaInsight is Alvanon’s “front end” strategic consulting division comprising fashion and retail industry experts who draw upon apparel business insight, technical design expertise, rigorous statistical analysis and practical experience to help clients define their target markets’ specific fit criteria. The AlvaForm division, comprising 3D artists and anatomical “life” sculptors, develops and supplies both standard and customized mannequins that enable clients to create and maintain their fit standards consistently across the supply chain. The AlvaBlock division develops tailored pattern block templates based on a client’s AlvaForm, minimising pattern-making inconsistencies across a global supply chain and significantly shortening product development timelines.

Founded in 2001, the Alvanon Group of companies is the global leader in providing full service, integrated fit solutions for the apparel industry. From its head office in New York, operations centre in Hong Kong and operating offices in the UK and Germany, Alvanon provides customised fit strategies and product development tools to the world’s leading fashion brands, retailers, lingerie, swimwear, sportswear, mail order and corporate clothing suppliers. Alvanon’s fit offer combines the world’s largest database of over 300,000 body scans with the unparalleled expertise, products and services provided by a team of over 70 dedicated sizing and body shape professionals.