In order to further support efforts in DX in the fashion industry, SHIMA SEIKI is presenting new online services at Pitti Filati. APEXFiz™ is SHIMA SEIKI’s first subscription-based design software while yarnbankTM is the world’s first digi- tal yarn sourcing web service for the knitting industry.

APEXFiz™ is the latest addition to SHIMA SEIKI’s proven SDS®-onE APEX series design system lineup, but with a big departure from the past. Whereas previous APEX-series design systems were offered as an all-in-one hardware/software package, for the first time in its nearly 40 years of design system development, SHIMA SEIKI has released its new APEXFiz™ as subscription-based design software that can be installed on customers’ individual com- puters. Maintaining proven functions that have made the APEX series so popular with fashion designers, with APEXFiz™ those strengths are now enhanced with the added versatility to adapt to different work styles and business environ- ments including teleworking and telecommuting. APEXFiz™ software supports the creative side of fashion from plan- ning and design to colorway evaluation, realistic fabric simulation and 3D virtual sampling. Virtual samples are a digi- tized version of sample making that are accurate enough to be used effectively as prototypes, replacing physical sam- pling and consequently reducing time, cost and material that otherwise go to waste. APEXFiz™ thereby helps to realize sustainability and digitally transform the fashion supply chain. APEXFiz™ is furthermore available in 5 different product variations that can be selected according to the customer’s needs, from APEXFiz™ Design Jr. to APEXFiz™ Design Pro.

APEXFiz™ is supported by another web service to enhance its user experience even more. yarnbankTM is the world's first online platform for searching and downloading digitized yarns, developed in cooperation with yarn compa- nies from around the world. Registered users can download yarn data for free, for use in fabric simulation and virtual sampling on APEXFiz™, avoiding the need to scan yarn on their own. By using yarn that is used in actual production, designers and apparel companies can rest easy knowing that the simulations created using yarn from yarnbank™ are accurate representations of what will actually be produced. With yarnbank™, the entire value chain from yarn compa- nies and apparel companies to knit manufacturers can be connected digitally.

APEXFiz™ and yarnbank™ will also be featured at a special section launched at Pitti Filati no. 89 called Pitti Studios. Pitti Studios is a new content production service that yarn companies exhibiting at Pitti Filati can use for their own promotion. Yarn companies provide a piece of yarn, which is digitized on yarnbank™ and used to simulate fabric on APEXFiz™. This is then processed by a creative studio specializing in digital content to provide 3D virtual representa- tions to be featured at each company’s page on Pitti Connect.

SHIMA SEIKI’s knit sample exhibit at Pitti Filati continues with its collaboration with Italian designer Vittorio Branchizio, along with samples knitted on its MACH2XS 18L WHOLEGARMENT® machine as well as samples featuring inlay technique and i-Plating® inverse-plating function.