Innovation That Matters

Jeansmaker offers 400 different sizes to fit all women

Retail

Currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, Qcut creates perfectly-fitting pairs of jeans with just 5 measurements.

The problem with mass production is that almost every consumer has experienced heading into a shop or ordering online to find the item they want doesn't fit them quite right. All of our bodies are different, but not everyone can afford tailored clothes. We've already seen startups such as Stantt and Threadmason replace S/M/L sizes with up to 50 options for men's shirts. Currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, Qcut wants to do the same for women's jeans, creating perfectly-fitting pairs with just 5 measurements.

Typical jeans ranges come in set waist sizes and a choice of small, medium or large leg lengths. To make sure that its jeans really do fit perfectly, Qcut takes 5 measurements from each customers — height, weight, shoe size, typical jeans size and bra size. There's also a short survey about the problem customers usually have when they buy a pair of factory made jeans. All of these factors then go into an algorithm which tells Qcut the exact style and cut that would best fit each individual customer, based on data already collected by the company.

This process was developed by Gerald Ruderman, who was initially hired by Levi Strauss to create a made-to-order system but decided to strike out with a new startup instead. It means that the company has more than 400 different options to deliver to customers, rather than a handful of cookie-cutter designs. Turnaround is usually a couple of weeks, but the team is hoping to open its own factory in the US to cut delivery time down to a few days.

Watch the video below to learn more about how Qcut works:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/crystalbeasley/womens-jeans-in-400-sizes-made-to-order-by-qcut

The campaign runs until 3 December, and backers can pre-order a pair of Qcut jeans from USD 110 until then. Are there other ways to use new technologies to quickly 'mass customize' fashion items such as jeans?

Kickstarter: www.kck.st/1xfWNLC

Website: www.qcut.co

Contact: www.twitter.com/skinny