Recent Trends in the Role of Digital Technologies in Fashion and Textile Manufacturing

<p dir="ltr">The manufacturing of fashion and textiles is still labour intensive in many countries despite the advancements in technology. Unlike other sectors such as automotive and pharmaceutical, several operations in manufacturing of fashion and textiles follow manual methods of production. Availability of cheap labour, high investment cost for new technologies and low cost of the garments are some of the factors that hinder the use of technology in the manufacturing of fashion and textiles. There is a potential for various technologies to revolutionise the fashion and textile sector. This chapter has focused on various digital technologies and their potential applications/impacts in the fashion and textile manufacturing. A brief history of industrial revolution has been given in the beginning of the chapter. Subsequently, the use of various technologies is illustrated with major application areas. The benefits of using technologies are also highlighted. Further, the sustainable benefits of using the technologies are discussed in brief. The chapter has been prepared mainly from the secondary data and some primary data from the projects the authors have completed. This chapter will provide concise knowledge on the use of advanced technologies in the manufacturing of fashion and textiles.</p>