The small Portland facility Studio 317 will expand to help develop prototyping and manufacturing solutions for an activewear clothing giant
Studio–317, a prototyping and innovation workspace for the apparel industry, has announced its partnership with a major activewear apparel manufacturer as the growth of 3D design and manufacturing technology crosses over into apparel design.
Major investment by RSI – which produces goods for the likes of Nike, Under Armour and New Balance across China and South East Asia – will expand Studio-317’s capabilities and operations at its Portland, Oregon base, as it looks to build a total supply chain solution from ideation to production and everything in-between.
Studio-317 will also expand its scope to support apparel designers to develop better industry practices for how new, cutting-edge products can be made in the US, with a focus on 3D technology.
Listing its expanded services, 3D design for customised apparel while reducing waste in the development process, and 3D printing for rapid prototyping and refinement of products and processes draw more background from product design than traditional apparel skill sets.
Founded in 2014 by 17-year Nike veteran Elizabeth LeMay, Studio-317 is a manufacturing studio especially designed to meet the unmet demand in rapid prototyping for the apparel industry.
The Studio has collaborated with the largest activewear giants on specialized initiatives and has helped launch some successful start-up brands.
