Lectra Unveils Apogy ─ The First Solution Embedding Agentic Artificial Intelligence To Reinvent Fashion Product Development
Paris, September 2026 – Lectra today announced the launch of Apogy, its cloud-based solution dedicated to product development, the critical phase between garment design and production.
Nearly fifty years after establishing the global standard for CAD solutions dedicated to the fashion industry, Lectra is opening a new chapter with Apogy, combining artificial intelligence, industry-specific agents and product data to revolutionise the way products are designed and developed.
By automating low-value tasks and making information and expertise easier to access, it significantly accelerates product development while freeing teams to focus on innovation, creativity and strategic decision-making.
From its earliest computer-aided design solutions to Modaris, ModarisPGS and Gerber AccuMark, all of which became global industry benchmarks, Lectra has continuously driven the transformation of fashion processes.
Today, the industry faces increasingly volatile demand, ever-shorter collection cycles, and mounting regulatory and environmental pressures.
Against this backdrop of accelerated change, product development demanded major technological advances to rethink fragmented processes and dispersed data. Apogy marks a major turning point, delivering, for the first time, a solution capable of thoroughly reinventing this critical phase.
"For fifty years, Lectra has helped transform the fashion industry, particularly by digitising patternmaking. Today, agentic artificial intelligence gives us the opportunity to take a new step forward and reinvent product development as a whole," said Maximilien Abadie, Deputy CEO of Lectra. "With Apogy, we are launching the first and only solution designed to bring together all involved parties, data and processes that shape a product. By breaking down silos and streamlining interactions across the entire ecosystem, we enable fashion companies to develop desirable, manufacturable products that meet consumer demand more quickly. Apogy ushers in a new era of product development, where artificial intelligence turns product data into a competitive advantage for fashion players."
A new generation of intelligent agents supports teams throughout the development cycle, from the initial idea to an industrialisation-ready prototype, enabling them to generate and explore concepts from prompts, sketches or images, and collaborate in real time within a shared environment offering full traceability of changes.
Compatible with all standard market formats, Apogy also streamlines digital prototyping and facilitates approvals through 3D simulations and photorealistic renderings.
Apogy centralises all key product development data in a single, secure and continuously updated source, enabling teams, partners and suppliers across the ecosystem to collaborate simultaneously and accelerate approval and production stages.
O'Neills, an Irish sportswear brand, is already reaping the benefits. "For the first time in our history, all our teams are using a single solution. This harmonisation eliminates errors linked to data transfers, increases transparency and now enables us to accelerate operations, improve productivity and effectively support our growth," said David Towell, Senior Manager at O'Neills.
"New generations expect to work with cutting-edge tools. By equipping our teams with Apogy, a solution designed natively for the AI era and featuring advanced capabilities, we are strengthening our ability to attract, develop and retain the next generation of talent in product development roles, particularly in modelling within the Oniverse group," said Riccardo Romani, Operations Director at Oniverse, an international fashion group comprising brands including Calzedonia, Intimissimi and Tezenis.
Designed to evolve continuously and delivered as SaaS, Apogy will continue to expand its artificial intelligence capabilities to automate more tasks, enhance workflows and unlock new performance opportunities.
The result of three years of development and in-depth dialogue with several dozen customers, Apogy is built on a proven understanding of market needs, and its adoption by early customers has already demonstrated both its operational effectiveness and its ability to support the transformation of product development in the fashion industry today.
About Lectra
Lectra sparks customer transformation.
The Group offers solutions that combine software, cutting equipment, data and services, leveraging advanced technologies, particularly agentic artificial intelligence.
By blending deep sector expertise with industrial intelligence, Lectra helps players in the fashion, automotive and furniture industries rethink their operations.
In fashion, Lectra supports product development, manufacturing and marketing, while strengthening collaboration and product traceability. In automotive and furniture, the Group brings its know-how to optimise production processes.
Founded in 1973, the Group is present in more than one hundred countries. Lectra's 2,800 employees are driven by three core values: being open-minded thinkers, trusted partners and passionate innovators. They all share the same commitment to sustainability, one of the pillars of Lectra's strategy to ensure its sustainable growth and that of its customers.
Listed on Euronext, Lectra reported revenues of €507 million in 2025, including €89 million in SaaS revenues. For more information, visit lectra.com
The 2027 FESPA Awards are now open for entry, and the message to businesses across textiles, apparel, interiors and beyond is simple: your work deserves recognition. Every gold winner featured here started in the same place every entrant does - with a project they believed was worth submitting.
As the only independent awards programme with 18 categories dedicated to print and signage, FESPA offers a genuinely global stage, with shortlisted entries displayed at FESPA Global Print Expo in Spring 2027.
Colour Is Too Important to Leave to Chance
Print will always be the part of the garment people see first.
But the sum of all parts — the fabric, the trims, the fasteners, the finish — is what determines whether a design actually delivers on its promise. Brands that continue to treat colour as a single creative decision, rather than a coordinated technical discipline spanning their entire supply chain, will keep paying for it in re-dips, delays, and disappointed design teams.
A Century of Textiles, and an Ever-changing World
Few companies can trace their roots back more than a century and still count themselves among their industry's innovators. Texia, headquartered in Monistrol de Montserrat, Spain, is one of them.
But the story of Texia is not simply one of longevity.
It is a story of continual reinvention. As the textile industry has grown more global and competitive, Texia has repeatedly reshaped its business, investing in technology, developing its own brands, and placing sustainability at the centre of its mission. In doing so, it offers a compelling example of how a heritage manufacturer can lead rather than follow through a period of profound industry change. Image Credit: Texia
What are we craving Ultimately?
The instinct to slow down while simultaneously optimising every measurable aspect of life isn't a passing curiosity. It's a structural response to a world that feels increasingly unstable, and it's reshaping what people expect from their homes, hotels, workplaces and healthcare environments alike.
For the design and manufacturing sectors, this means rethinking both product and process.
The Structual Shift is Real and its Already Here
Volumes are moving east, where digital production is accelerating rapidly. Consumer behaviour has shifted.
Demand is now driven by personalisation, shorter buying cycles, and an expectation of near-instant responsiveness. Regulatory pressure is intensifying, with supply chain transparency now a legal and commercial fact in many markets. And margins? They are under sustained, structural pressure.
This is not a temporary disruption. It is a fundamental reordering of how textile manufacturing must operate.
The Challenge: Standing Firm as the Industry Shifts
The wallpaper landscape has changed dramatically. Digital printing has lowered the barrier to entry, spawning countless direct-to-consumer brands and pushing much of the market towards faster, cheaper production.
At the same time, manufacturing in the UK has grown steadily harder - rising minimum wage, national insurance, energy and substrate costs all bear down on margins. Surface Print have embraced all of these challenges - and stand resolutely prepared for the future.
From Helsinki's printing mill to Paris's Le Marais, discover how Marimekko is scaling a design-led brand with purpose, craft, and bold innovation.
But what makes Marimekko's story compelling is not just its aesthetic legacy?
The word "toxic" carries weight. It conjures danger, harm, and things best avoided.
“Yet in the textile industry - Where between 3,000 and 10,000 chemicals move through the supply chain, a reflexive fear of the term is one of our biggest obstacles to progress.”
This article distils the key takeaways and what buyers, designers, and brands should be asking right now.
What Is the Digital Product Passport?
At its core, a Digital Product Passport is a digital record attached to a physical product - For a printed textile product, this means the DPP would capture data on the substrate, inks and dyes used, the printing process and technology, chemical compliance, environmental impact (including water and energy use), supply chain traceability, and end-of-life instructions.
New York – NY – October 2026 – Optitex, a global leader in fashion technology solutions, has announced a significant update to its CutPlan software, introducing Purchase Order (PO) Wise capability as part of its O/26.1 release.
The new feature allows manufacturers to plan multiple Purchase Orders for the same style independently, addressing a long-standing inefficiency within the cut planning process.
United Kingdom – September 2026 – Inkloft, a new specialist digital printing business founded by Gary Weyman and Andy Hancock, has announced its entry into the direct-to-film (DTF) market.
The company has been appointed as a distributor of DuPont™ Artistri® DTF products, including P1600 inks and Artistri Jettable Adhesive JA1100, both now available to purchase online through inkloft.co.uk.
Peterborough, UK – October 2026 – Snuggle Ltd has today reaffirmed its commitment to redefining industrial garment decoration, combining high-volume output with environmentally responsible production methods at its Peterborough facility.
The announcement highlights the company's investment in water-based pigment ink digital printing technology, a move designed to cut the environmental footprint of large-scale apparel decoration without compromising on quality.
At the core of Snuggle's operation is industrial water-based pigment ink digital printing, which replaces the chemical-heavy alternatives traditionally used across the sector.
Manchester – October 2026 – Premier Digital Textiles has today highlighted its 33130 Achill Natural Linen, a beautifully understated fabric defined by timeless texture and natural character.
The luxurious fabric reflects the company's ongoing commitment to quality materials that serve both designers and the environment
Gent – Belgium – October 2026 – Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems has announced its participation in India CorrExpo 2026, following a successful week exhibiting at PRINTING United Expo 2026.
The company will showcase its latest advancements in digital cutting and routing technology, demonstrating how businesses across print, display, packaging and signage can achieve greater precision, productivity and scalability.
The event will take place from 14 to 16 October 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, where Kongsberg will be exhibiting at Booth B80, Hall 4.
Coalville – Leicestershire – October 2026 – Innotech Digital & Display has concluded a successful first-time exhibition at The Print Show, held at the NEC over three days, unveiling its new Black Display Hardware Collection and demonstrating its materials in action through a series of industry partnerships.
The event marked a significant milestone for Innotech, offering the company its first opportunity to engage directly with the wider print community on this platform.
Visitors to the stand were able to explore product samples, view the newly launched Black Display Hardware Collection, and speak with the Innotech team about the latest developments in digital and display materials
Las Vegas – Nv -October 2026 – Durst Group AG has confirmed its first US customer orders for the Durst P5 350 CORE, following the system's debut at PRINTING United Expo.
The announcement caps a milestone year for the platform, which launched earlier in 2026 at FESPA Global Print in Barcelona and went on to win an EDP Award ahead of its US introduction.
The P5 350 CORE drew significant attention from attendees throughout the Expo, with interest converting directly into sales as the first American customers placed their orders on the show floor.
Altrincham- Cheshire – UK – October 2026 – Funkifabrics, a provider of fabrics for fashion and design, today highlighted a striking collection of garments created by renowned designer [theofficialglobegirls], which prominently features its textiles.
The collection showcases the versatility and quality of Funkifabrics' materials, reinforcing the company's commitment to supporting bold, creative expression across the fashion industry.
The collaboration, shared across Funkifabrics' social media channels, has already generated significant engagement from the fashion community, with many praising the craftsmanship and visual impact of the designs.
Belgrade, Serbia – October 2026 – Brother Industrial EMEA today announced that its GTX300 digital textile printer has been awarded the prestigious Gold Seal Award at Grafima 2026, the 46th International Fair of Graphic, Paper and Creative Industries, held in Belgrade.
The machine received top honours in the category "Digital Printing Machines for Textile Materials up to 160cm Wide", as judged by the fair's expert panel.
The Gold Seal Award recognises outstanding quality, innovation and professional capability within the graphic and textile printing industries.
Shanghai, China – October 2026 – FabricVision, a global innovator in textile production, has marked the successful completion of its first full year of operations, announcing ambitious expansion plans across both China and Europe.
The milestone was celebrated last week during China Expo in Shanghai, where the company convened with its team at Jinmao to review achievements and set strategic priorities for the year ahead.
The company's first year has been defined by rapid growth and deepening customer relationships, according to leadership.
Rapidity, a nearly 40-year-old London print and communications specialist, needed finishing equipment capable of matching the speed and complexity of its growing client roster, which includes Arsenal, Shell, and Aston Martin.
By partnering with Vivid Laminating Technologies and investing in three Veloblades, two Matrix systems, and an Easymount unit, Rapidity strengthened its production capabilities while maintaining the meticulous quality standards that have defined the business since 1986.
Klagenfurt - Austria – October 2026– Zimmer Austria, a global leader in textile printing and coating solutions, will be at IGATEX Pakistan 2026, one of the region's premier textile machinery exhibitions.
The company will exhibit its latest digital printing, screen printing, and coating technologies from 15–18 October 2026, at Hall 2, Booth F-2-09, in Karachi, Pakistan
Returning for the fifth time to Manchester’s GNCCF (Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair) are the GREEN GRADS,** 20 of the brightest of the UK’s new wave of eco-activists who have just graduated from universities all over the country, from Falmouth to Glasgow. The Fair runs from Thursday October 15 (private view) to Sunday October 18 (closes 4pm).
GREEN GRADS in the NORTH are taking over the 46 “changing cubicles” with their distinctive framework of blue cast iron, that fringe the gallery of Pool C, in the splendid Victoria Baths, Manchester. There is also a shop, curated by Laura Wigham, GREEN GRAD of 2024, with exclusive arts and crafts by GREEN GRAD makers from previous years.
Crewe, Cheshire – October 6th 2026 – Hybrid Services Ltd, the UK and Ireland distributor for Mimaki, has announced three dedicated demo days at its Crewe showroom, giving businesses a further opportunity to see the latest Mimaki machines in action.
Running from Tuesday 13th to Thursday 15th October, the drop-in sessions follow the machines' debut at The Print Show 2026 at the NEC Birmingham and are designed for those who missed the event, or want more time to explore the technology at their own pace.
Chesterfield, UK – October 2026 – Resolute DTF, a leading provider of direct-to-film printing solutions, has concluded its participation in The Print Show, last week, with an overwhelmingly positive response from attendees.
The event gave the company an opportunity to showcase its latest innovations in DTF and UV DTF printing technology to print businesses from across the industry.
Visitors to the Resolute DTF stand were given hands-on access to the company's expanding product range, including its R-JET PRO DTF and UVi-3D UV DTF printers, alongside its portfolio of inks, films, and finishing equipment.
Capurso, Italy – October - 2026 – Agfa Inkjet Solutions today announced that Digibux Print, an Italian digital print specialist, has invested in the Jeti Bronco H3300 HS, a 3.3-metre wide-format hybrid UV LED inkjet printer.
The investment marks a significant step in Digibux Print's evolution from digital print specialist to industrial production powerhouse, as the company expands its production capabilities to meet changing customer demands.
London, UK – 25 September 2026 – Sanderson Design Group PLC (AIM: SDG), the luxury interior furnishings group, today announced a 10-year licensing agreement with Dunelm for Designers Guild, the luxury interiors brand acquired by Dunelm in April 2025.
Under the Agreement, Sanderson Design Group has been granted the sole licence to design, manufacture and sell Designers Guild wallpapers, fabrics and paint worldwide.
The Agreement grants Sanderson Design Group access to Designers Guild's extensive archive design library, alongside the opportunity to create new designs under the brand, in exchange for a royalty fee paid to Dunelm
Zoetermeer - Netherlands - October 2026 – Papergraphics has announced that its Netherlands branch is now an accredited partner for Canon printers, bringing the acclaimed GP and PRO series to Dutch customers for the first time.
The accreditation builds on Papergraphics' long-standing Canon partnership in the UK, extending the same calibre of large-format printing hardware to the Dutch market.
Neuss – Germany – October 2026 – B-FLEX Italia has announced a partnership with Epson Deutschland GmbH to showcase the future of direct-to-film printing at the Epson Production Days event in October.
The collaboration will bring B-FLEX's DTF film and hot-melt powder together with Epson's SureColor G9000 printer in live, twin-roll demonstrations designed to show how materials and machinery combine to maximise both quality and output in real production settings
Las Vegas – NV – October 2026 – Greentex, a leading supplier of sustainable textiles for apparel, home goods and sportswear, successfully concluded its participation at Printing United 2026, where the company connected with customers, partners and industry professionals to showcase its latest eco-conscious fabric solutions.
The event brought together key players across the printing and textile industries, offering Greentex the opportunity to demonstrate how sustainable materials can meet the rigorous demands of modern digital printing and textile customisation.
Attendees had the chance to see live demonstrations of Greentex's fabric offerings, including its recycled polyester and BCI cotton ranges, both designed to reduce environmental impact without compromising on performance or quality.
Birmingham – UK – October 2026 – China Print Supplies UK Ltd has concluded a successful three-day exhibition at The Sign Show, where the company showcased its latest range of printers, cutting tables, and equipment bundles to industry professionals and visitors.
Throughout the event, the China Print Supplies UK team engaged with attendees, delivered live demonstrations of its machinery, and discussed how its growing product range can help signage and print businesses stay ahead in an increasingly competitive and sustainability-conscious market.
“We were thrilled with the turnout and engagement at this year's Sign Show. Conversations with visitors reinforced the direction we're taking as a business — one that puts innovation and responsible manufacturing at the forefront," said China Print Supplies UK Ltd.
Dorking – UK – October 2026 – FESPA has announced that its 2027 edition in Munich will bring together five specialist events into a single destination, offering exhibitors an unprecedented opportunity to reach audiences spanning print, signage, merchandising, wrapping and textiles.
The consolidated event reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of the speciality print and signage industries, where brands and suppliers are seeking more efficient ways to engage with buyers across multiple disciplines.
By combining five dedicated events, FESPA 2027 will enable exhibitors to showcase their offerings to a broader and more diverse audience, all within one venue
Leicester, UK – October 2026 – De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) will open a landmark exhibition celebrating the work of fashion icon Dame Zandra Rhodes, following her decision to donate a significant part of her personal archive to the university.
Zandra Rhodes: Archive Unfolded will showcase highlights from a donation spanning six decades of Rhodes' career, from 1964 to 2025, featuring thousands of objects including licensed work, press cuttings, film, opera material and colour transparencies.
The gift follows Dame Zandra's Honorary Doctorate of the Arts from DMU in 2023, when she announced her intention to place a key part of her archive with the university's Special Collections.
London, UK – September 2026 – ARTS THREAD hosted an in-person judging event for its Global Creative Graduate Showcase at the Zaha Hadid Gallery, Barbican, bringing together industry judges to evaluate the next generation of creative talent.
The event also marked the introduction of the ARTS THREAD Vault, a new initiative set to shape how creative work is archived and accessed.
The gathering reflects ARTS THREAD's ongoing commitment to supporting emerging creatives as they transition from education into industry, while also advancing the infrastructure that underpins creative recognition and opportunity on a global scale.
SOUTH NORMANTON, UK – October 2026 – Sun Chemical has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable innovation with the continued development of its Streamline™ aqueous ink solutions, as the graphics industry accelerates its transition towards water-based technology.
The shift comes amid rising demand for printing solutions that reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, minimise odour, and deliver vibrant, high-performance colour
Madrid, Spain – October 2026 – Roland DG, a global leader in digital printing and visual communication technology, is looking forward to its participation in C!Print Madrid 2027, taking place from 12 to 14 January 2027.
The company will present its evolving ecosystem of printing, automation, and branding solutions under its new positioning, "Make Your Mark," reflecting a shift from machine supplier to value-creation partner for brands and professionals across Europe.
Leicester, UK – October 2026 – VeriVide Limited, a leading provider of colour assessment and quality control solutions, today announced that it will take to the stage at the AATCC International Summit in Wilmington, United States, to present on the evolving landscape of colour evaluation technology.
Stephen Tongue and Chris Hipps, representing VeriVide, will deliver a session titled "Evolution of Visual and Digital Evaluation Tools for Color Assessment, Fastness Grading, and Stain Analysis."
The presentation will examine how colour evaluation practices have developed over time, exploring the enduring role of visual assessment alongside the growing adoption of digital tools for fastness grading and stain analysis.
October 1st 2026– Soyang Europe has announced the appointment of Colin Werrett as Senior Business Development Manager within its Hardware Team.
The appointment reflects Soyang's continued commitment to strengthening its expertise as the business scales to meet the evolving demands of the print and graphics industry.
Werrett brings 32 years of experience in print and graphics to the role, joining at a pivotal moment as Soyang continues to expand its Hardware division.
He will report directly to Andy Webb, Commercial Director, and will work closely with the wider Hardware Team to drive business development and support the company's growth strategy.
Mönchengladbach - Germany – October 2026 – Trützschler Card Clothing (TCC) has expanded its regional service network across Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, giving customers in the Andean region direct access to faster support, shorter lead times and local technical expertise.
The move underscores Trützschler's long-term commitment to the textile and nonwovens industries of South America, strengthening its presence in markets where quality and productivity remain top priorities
Birmingham, UK – October 1st 2026 – Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd has announced the sale of a 3.2m Veloblade Nexus to GES – Global Experience Specialists, sealed on the final day of The Print Show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).
The machine will be delivered to GES's site, located less than a mile from the show, tomorrow.
The sale marks the fourth Veloblade Nexus purchased by GES, underscoring the company's continued confidence in Vivid's laminating and finishing technology as it scales its large-format print operations.