Misfitting garments represent a worldwide issue and is a major concern for retailers and shoppers alike. 1The challenge for the clothing manufacturing industry is not only to produce better fitting garments for outerwear apparel but also to do so for intimate apparel and the health sector, through BMI related studies, as the population continuously changes in size and shape. An emerging international trend that can be applied in the South African context, is the prevalence of obesity cases and therefore in the consumer plus-sized market. Studies conducted to date in the Clothing sectors are by manufacturers and retailers that are focused towards target markets with the base data taken from the 1940’s. There is no established standard that exist within and between clothing manufacturers and retailers with even less statistically valid published data that is accessible to students and educators. Therefore the acquisition of the 3D body scanner within Life and Consumer Sciences department, to collect generic data for use in both clothing and health sectors and for consumer behavioural studies for use in both undergraduate and post graduate teaching is essential.
Research group focus The primary focus of the research group is to conduct multi-disciplinary research in the different fields of Clothing, Health and, Physiology using 3D body scan data to enhance the competitive capabilities of the South African apparel and health industries through tuition, research and innovation in support of sustainable development and capacity building within the department. This will add to the skills base of the apparel and health sectors, through the use of new and emerging technologies in these disciplines.
The goals of the clothing focus area are the collection of a statistically valid database of South African body measurements using a 3D full body scanner. The long term objectives are:
The goals of the health related studies, is to improve on the data base of anthropometrical data for South Africans and allows for the interpretations linked to health risk assessments. The sub-objectives would include:
The goal of the consumer behaviour focus area is to provide supportive research on related consumer apparel preferences, behaviour and factors that influence apparel purchases in marketing or of a socio-cultural nature. The sub-objectives would include to:
Should you require any further information please contact Ms Reena Pandarum at pandak@unisa.ac.za
Last modified: Mon Aug 07 18:01:22 SAST 2023