Custom Fit Model Avatars: 3D Body Scanning Workflows for Digital Fashion

As the fashion industry increasingly integrates 3D garment design software such as CLO3D, highly accurate digital avatars that replicate in house fit models has become essential. Standardised avatars are widely available but often fail to accurately align with a brand’s legacy sizing systems, which are typically based on specific fit models and bespoke measurements. British performance wear brand ThruDark’s dedicated consumer base is accustomed to a consistent garment fit, therefore, transitioning to digital sampling with software stock avatars would risk significant inconsistency in sizing and customer experience. Maintaining continuity with the existing fit model is critical, prompting the need for an accurate, efficient avatar creation process that supports ongoing production without disruption. For brands to fully leverage digital workflows and reduce reliance on physical sampling, accurate brand specific avatars are crucial.
This research - conducted in partnership with ThruDark - explores the creation and implementation of bespoke digital avatars. A comparison study includes manual anthropometric and 3D body scanning technologies which are evaluated for the creation of bespoke fit model avatars. A new avatar creation process pilot study allows critical insights into functionality and scalability. Based on this research a commercially viable workflow for generating digital avatars from brand-specific fit model data has been implemented at ThruDark.