Leading Japanese computerized knitting machine manufacturer Shima Seiki announced today that it is launching its Shima Trend Archive & Forecast (staf®) site, a web-based service dedicated to empowering its members with the means to search and download from a rich stock of information as well as tools to organize that information to aid in fashion planning, design and presentation.

“With the fashion industry constantly updating its offerings every few months, fashion planners, designers and merchandisers traditionally have come under enormous pressure to present new ideas on a consistent basis, leading to stress, psychological burn-out and even physical illness,” Shima Seiki’s Masaki Karasuno said in the announcement.

“As a means to alleviate this situation and give industry professionals an unprecedented opportunity to enhance their planning efficiency and capability, staf® features an information archive of fashion and colour trends covering the past 50 years in addition to those for the next season, as well as a massive collection of fashion-related content, covering materials, flat sketches and design patterns.”

In addition, Mr. Karasuno explains, a vast collection of fashion photos is available in conjunction with the Aflo photo agency, and the latest fashion-related news articles can be picked up from news sites as well. All this information can be selected and sorted efficiently and organized in a concept board that can be shared among a variety of smart devices for presentation purposes.

Also, the advantages gained from using staf® can be enhanced significantly in combination with Shima Seiki’s own SDS-ONE APEX3 design system, the company says. staf® content can be imported, edited and processed quickly and easily on APEX3. 3D data can also be combined with APEX3’s simulation capability, offering even more powerful and effective presentation.

A free 30-day trial is available upon account registration. staf® will be featured at the upcoming PremieÌ€re Vision show in Paris this month (held 13th - 15th September, 2016 at Parc des Expositions de Paris Nord Villepinte). Special demonstrations will be available at the Shima Seiki booth in Hall 6, Booth 6J40-6K41.

Further information

staf® details

Service Name: Shima Trend Archive & Forecast (staf®)

URL: https://staf.shimaseiki.com

Launch Date: Monday, 5th September 2016

Membership: US$ 2,400 per year

Download the Shima Trend Archive & Forecast (staf®) catalogue

For more information, please contact:

Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd. Tel: +81-734-74-8210

www.shimaseiki.com