Japan’s Fast Retailing Co, parent of the Uniqlo chain, said recently it was stepping up co-operation with Shima Seiki Mfg Ltd with an aim to make ondemand knitwear items. The move comes at a time when the question of how to produce custom-made clothing has become one of the hottest topics in the fashion industry, with online player Zozo upending the space with its measurementtaking bodysuits. Earlier this month, Zozo, officially called Start Today Co Ltd and the operator of the Zozotown mall, said it was considering working with Shima Seiki. Uniqlo already sells knitwear items made with Shima Seiki’s wholegarment knitting machines under a joint venture the pair set-up in 2016. Fast Retailing said it was now looking to make on-demand knitwear on a large scale but did not say when this would be available. Uniqlo’s customers can currently order custom-made items such as shirts and jackets.
