Wakayama - Computerized knitting machine manufacturer Shima Seiki has launched its Shima Trend Archive & Forecast (staf) site, a web-based service dedicated to empowering its members with the means to search and download from a rich stock of information as well as tools to organize that information to aid in fashion planning, design and presentation.

According to Shima Seiki, with the fashion industry constantly updating its offerings every few months, fashion planners, designers and merchandisers traditionally have come under enormous pressure to present new ideas on a consistent basis, leading to stress, psychological burn-out and even physical illness.

As a means to alleviate this situation and give industry professionals an unprecedented opportunity to enhance their planning efficiency and capability, staf features an information archive of fashion and color trends covering the past 50 years in addition to those for the next season, as well as a massive collection

of fashion-related content, covering materials, flat sketches and design patterns. In addition, a vast collection of fashion photos are available in conjunction with the Aflo photo agency, while the latest fashion-related news articles can be picked up from news sites as well. All this information can be selected and sorted efficiently and organized in a concept board that can be shared among a variety of smart devices for presentation purposes.

Furthermore, Shima Seiki says that the advantages gained from using staf can be enhanced significantly in combination with the company's own “SDS-ONE APEX3” design system. staf content can be imported, edited and processed quickly and easily on APEX3. 3D data can also be combined with APEX3’s simulation capability, offering even more powerful and effective presentation.

A free 30-day trial is available upon account registration.

staf will be featured at the upcoming Première Vision show in Paris this month (held 13th - 15th September, 2016 at Parc des Expositions de Paris Nord Villepinte). Special demonstrations will be available at the Shima Seiki booth in Hall 6, Booth 6J40-6K41.