Wakayama - WHOLEGARMENT - The philosophy and technology of a fashion revolution is new book written by Dr Masahiro Shima, the founder and chairman of computerized knitting machine manufacturer, Shima Seiki, which explores the invention and evolution of WHOLEGARMENT knitting.

WHOLEGARMENT is described as the inside story of a company that went on to lead a revolution in knitwear manufacturing. Written by the inventor himself, Masahiro Shima reveals both the innovation and philosophy behind his success. Today, WHOLEGARMENT knitting machines produces knitwear for major high-street brands as well as high-end fashion houses. It is an inspiring book about invention and the pursuit of perfection.        

This is a book of how an inventor and his company changed the fashion industry. In 1962, Masahiro Shima founded Shima Seiki, with the aim of developing a fully automated seamless glove-knitting machine. Following this success, the company expanded into flat knitting machines.

However, the age of the computer brought a whole new era for Shima Seiki. By committing to computerization in its mainstream products, Shima Seiki gradually began to stand apart from its competitors.

Shima Seiki’s focus on computer-aided knit design and programming in fact led to a revolution in the fashion industry.

The book looks at how Masahiro Shima developed both the technology and philosophy to enable his company to be market leaders in industrial knitting machines – and fundamentally change the fashion industry. This culminated in the launch of the company’s WHOLEGARMENT knitting machine in 1995, which altered forever the way knitted garments are produced, and which today is used by fashion manufacturers across the world.

A full review and extracts from the book will be published shortly.

WHOLEGARMENT - The philosophy and technology of a fashion revolution is published by LID Publishing. Please visit: www.lidpublishing.com