Rag & Bone Takes the Plunge into Computerized Patternmaking

Posted by Apparel Magazine, on October 8, 2009, by Stacey Kusterbeck

"Rag & Bone, a maker of classic yet modern sportswear with a handmade feel, prides itself on the craftsmanship of its high-quality sportswear, and the manufacturing it does locally in Manhattan's Garment District.

Founded in Kentucky in 2002, the company's apparel is sold at retailers including Bergdorf-Goodman and Barneys New York; its denim jeans retail from $195 to $245 and jackets sell for an average of $550."

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Ultimately, the company selected OptiTex's Pattern Design System (PDS), which it found to be versatile and intuitive. Also, "the price was right," says Estrada.

With key individuals trained by OptiTex, the entire implementation went very smoothly, mainly because the learning curve was not too steep. Also, Rag & Bone didn't rush the process. "This industry doesn't wait for anything. You wish you had time to learn so many things and get your company onto the technology bandwagon. But the reality is, when do you find the time with constant deadlines? It's hard to find time for training. So we have been implementing the use of computer patternmaking one step at a time," says Estrada.

It helps that the system is very graphic, with "extremely obvious" icons, and that the OptiTex tech support team is just a phone call away, and is able to access the company's computers remotely. If OptiTex is unable to solve a problem remotely, the company sends over a file so that OptiTex can find a solution, says Estrada. Technical issues, such as dealing with seam allowance corners, and setting the piece's grading point of origin, have been quickly resolved in this fashion.