Open Circle Apparel Coalition
We exist as an open-source collaboration to facilitate WASTE REDUCTION in the fashion industry.
If you work in any aspect of garment production and fashion technology, we want YOU to join our mission to help solve some of the biggest challenges in making fashion more sustainable.
There’s a problem in the fashion industry
Waste
Half of the garments produced each year end up in the trash. Consumers shopping online routinely buy multiple sizes with intent to return, creating unnecessary carbon and waste (much of returned clothing can't be resold.) And, most clothing cannot be recycled. The best possible way to reduce waste is to reduce production and returns.
Over Production
The cure for overproduction is on-demand and just-in-time manufacturing, facilitated by data and integrated systems. Many factories are smart, but most are disconnected from retail and consumer data input. We are working to build standards and communities for connectivity across the ecosystem.
Sizing
40% of all clothing returns are due to fit issues, costing retailers $368B/year! More than 70% of US adults say they've experienced frustration with clothing fit, and the problem is getting worse. Perfect garment fit is solvable through technology, and it's our first priority focus area.
Focus areas
Sizing
Providing a calibration framework - standardized interpolation guides that allow brands, manufacturers and technology providers to keep their proprietary standards whilst accurately communicating across the ecosystem.
Open Source Collaboration
Enabling stakeholders from all aspects work together to share data and processes.
Contributing partner IP is protected, but resulting assets are shared and may be built upon.
On-Demand Production
Fostering awareness and helping to create partnerships among those who can both provide for and benefit from on-demand and lean manufacturing in fashion.
About OCAC.
Hi, we’re OpenCircle Apparel Coalition. We’re a growing, global group of professionals from different companies working together to enable a more digitized garment supply chain, from data to design to distribution and back.