Efficient product development is the cornerstone of the garment industry, where customer satisfaction, quality control, cost-effectiveness and technological advancement converge. The product development department ensures the production of high-quality samples to secure order confirmations. This research explores the implementation of the 5S principles within the sample section of Esquire Knit Composite Ltd, Bangladesh. Using a two-phased case study approach, this research identifies inefficiencies and proposes solutions for a cleaner, more assembled and more efficient workstation. By implementing the 5S principles, i.e. Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain, the study demonstrates measurable operational improvements, including a reduction in sample-related defects, shortened equipment and material search time, improved workplace cleanliness and safety conditions, and enhanced workflow organisation.The structured reorganisation of storage, labelling systems and cleaning responsibilities further enabled faster sample dispatch and reduced the risk of mixing buyer-specific materials. These outcomes indicate not only qualitative improvements in employee engagement and workplace discipline but also quantifiable gains in efficiency and productivity within the sample development process. Overall, the findings confirm the transformative potential of 5S principles in improving sample section performance and provide practical evidence for lean implementation in garment product development environments.
A custom GPT-based conversational tool called Maheshwari Saree - Timeless Elegance was developed. The study explores the potential of AI in real-time design reasoning, stakeholder dialogue simulation and craft-specific pattern interpretation. This tool served as both a research output and an experimental method to examine how AI can be ethically trained to respond to the needs of diverse users in the craft-based fashion ecosystem. The GPT is envisioned as a living framework that is capable of responding to user queries about Maheshwari sarees, proposing AI-generated design directions based on traditional motifs, simulating ethical dilemmas in authorship and enabling accessibility to craft knowledge through natural language. The underlying hypothesis is that AI systems trained using culturally grounded data could serve as collaborative tools rather than disruptive agents in design. This experiment demonstrates the feasibility of using custom-trained conversational AI as both a research tool and a cultural design interface. As AI continues to enter heritage domains, such training methods could become standard in co-design processes, cultural archiving, educational platforms and participatory fashion dialogues.
This article presents a comparison of the different diameters and characterization of nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloy and the effect of an NiTi knit-induced air gap on heat transfer in a smart textile system. Weft-knitted fabric was produced using commercially available cold-worked NiTi wires (filaments), enabling active thermal insulation in protective garments by adjusting the air gap between two fabric layers in response to changes in environmental temperature. For this study, NiTi alloy filaments containing 54.8 wt. % nickel and 45.2 wt. % titanium with a diameter of 100 mu m was used. The transition temperatures of the NiTi filaments were tailored for the intended application, with the austenite start temperature set at approximately 70 degrees C and the martensite start temperature set at around 20 degrees C. Various methods for determining transition temperatures were compared, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and electrical resistance measurements (ERM), all of which yielded consistent results. Mechanical properties were evaluated through tensile tests conducted with an Instron dynamometer at room temperature (20 degrees C) and in a heated chamber at 100 degrees C. The stress-strain response of the annealed NiTi alloy exhibited the characteristic four-stage behaviour typical of shape memory materials. All obtained results were also compared with previously reported data for NiTi alloy filaments with a diameter of 200 mu m, showing good agreement. In addition, the impact of the NiTi knit-induced air gap on heat transfer behaviour in thermal protective composites was investigated. This study confirms that 100 mu m NiTi filaments can be effectively optimized for smart textile applications through controlled annealing, with heat treatment at 500 degrees C producing suitable transformation temperatures consistentlyvalidated using DSC, DMA and ERM methods. Additionally, integrating an annealed NiTi knit into a textile composite increases the air gap at elevated temperatures, thereby reducing heat transfer and significantly enhancing the thermal insulation and adaptive performance of the smart textile system.
This study examines the strategic role of Instagram in enhancing consumer engagement and fostering brand loyalty for Indian fashion brands, with particular emphasis on short-form content and nano-influencer collaborations. Using a quantitative secondary data analytical synthesis, this study integrates evidence from industry reports, marketing dashboards and peer-reviewed academic studies that employ statistical techniques such as ANOVA, Pearson correlation and regression analysis. The synthesized findings indicate that Instagram consistently outperforms platforms such as Facebook and YouTube in driving interaction and brand discovery within the fashion sector. Short-form content formats, in particular Reels and Stories, are associated with higher visibility and engagement than static imagery, carousels and long-form videos. Additionally, collaborations with nano-influencers (1K-10K followers) demonstrate the strongest engagement outcomes and reflect higher perceived authenticity and closer audience relationships. Influencer entertainment value, content-brand congruence and source attractiveness emerge as key engagement-related factors, while interactive features such as polls, augmented reality try-ons and user-generated content, are associated with stronger loyalty-related outcomes. By applying the Consumer's Online Brand-Related Activities (COBRA) framework, this study highlights how fashion brands can promote progression from passive content consumption to active participation and co-creation. Overall, the study provides practical insights for digital marketers and fashion SMEs seeking to build authentic engagement and long-term brand loyalty through Instagram-driven strategies.
The conventional reactive dyeing process for cellulosic fibres, such as cotton, is fraught with challenges, particularly concerning the hydrolysis of dyes and the resultant-coloured sewage, which complicates wastewater treatment. This study introduces an innovative solution by integrating sorbitol into the dyeing process. By varying the proportions of sorbitol mixed with water, the researchers aimed to enhance dyeing efficiency while mitigating environmental impacts. The experimental procedure involved pre-treating knitted cotton fabric and preparing a dyeing liquor that combined sorbitol and water. Dyeing was performed using an infrared sample dyeing machine, which allows for more controlled and efficient dye application. To evaluate the results, colour strength and colour measurement characteristics (CMC) in the post-dye liquor were analysed using a Data Color 650 spectrophotometer. The findings revealed that fabrics dyed with sorbitol not only displayed higher chroma values but also resulted in a reduction of dye strength in the post-dye liquor.This indicates a significant decrease in the hydrolysis of reactive dyes, leading to lower costs associated with sewage treatment. Furthermore, colourfastness tests performed on the dyed fabrics demonstrated excellent performance, underscoring the effectiveness of this unique dyeing approach. Future research will focus on applying this method with various classes of reactive dyes in order to explore their performance based on different reactive groups to further enhance the non-aqueous medium dyeing of cotton in textile dyeing processes.
