31 October 2025
redefining design: how alsico is shaping the future of workwear with 3D technology
Innovation and sustainability have always been at the heart of alsico. And, as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in workwear design, we’re now taking another major step forward – moving all new concept design work into 3D.
This shift marks the beginning of a more sustainable, interactive and efficient era for our product development process, whilst embracing the technology of tomorrow.
designing differently
At alsico, we’ve introduced Style 3D: an advanced 3D design platform with built-in AI capabilities.
Behind every digital innovation at alsico is a team of skilled designers and technologists who understand what it takes to make durable, high-performing garments. Their experience, combined with digital tools like Style 3D, ensures each design looks good on screen – and performs even better in real life.
Designers can build garments from scratch, experimenting with fit, fabric and movement. The software allows our designers to bring flat cad designs to life in a virtual space – each panel is digitally stitched together, creating a true-to-life 3D garment that you can turn, zoom in on, and explore in detail.
enhancing performance through digital precision
With Style 3D, our designers can analyse how garments move and perform under pressure — long before they reach production. Using advanced simulation tools, we can visualise how fabric behaves in motion, identifying areas of tension, stretch and friction through detailed heat maps.
These insights allow us to optimise every seam and panel placement, ensuring maximum freedom of movement and long-lasting comfort for the wearer. By refining each pattern piece digitally, we’re able to perfect fit and durability from the very start — creating garments that meet the physical demands of real working environments.
Style3D is transforming the way we design and develop garments – but most importantly, it’s transforming the experience for the people who wear them. By using digital tools to refine every detail before production, we’re able to create workwear that fits better, feels more comfortable, and lasts longer. It means our customers can be confident that what they’re investing in doesn’t just look the part – it genuinely supports the wellbeing and performance of their teams.
Charlotte Clarke, Managing Director at alsico UK
sustainability through innovation
Traditionally, developing a new garment involves multiple rounds of sampling – a process that uses both time and resources. But, by designing virtually, our teams can explore different fabrics, colourways and finishes without the need for physical samples at every stage.
Therefore, our investment in 3D design shows a wider mission to design smarter, produce responsibly and deliver garments that not only protect people – but protect the planet too. By using digital-first tools, we’re cutting waste, reducing our carbon footprint, and helping our customers meet their own sustainability goals – all whilst speeding up the journey from concept to creation.
bringing garments to life
Style 3D also allows us to generate high-quality renders and animations that look and move just like the real thing. Using AI avatars or “ghost mannequins”, we can create imagery and videos for lookbooks, marketing materials, and sales presentations – all before a single piece of fabric is cut.
This level of realism helps our teams and visualise designs in specific working environments, rotate them 360 degrees, and even test how garments perform in motion.
For our customers, this technology means a more engaging and collaborative design experience. Through interactive “trendbooks”, clients can view garments in 3D, explore different colourways and fabrics, and even upload their own logos and personalisation options.
We can also create catwalk-style videos to customers, using 3D animated models to illustrate how the garments stretch and move – all without creating a physical garment.
Style 3D and the new NHS Healthcare Uniform
When we won the NHS tender for the new standardised uniforms, we used Style 3D to demonstrate not just what their new NHS Healthcare Uniform could look like, but also how it could move and stretch – all without creating a physical garment.
We did something completely new to us at the time – we sent them a catwalk video of 3D animated models walking around in typical NHS settings, wearing the new uniform. It showed how dresses flowed, tunics fitted and trousers stretched.
With winning such a huge tender, we wanted to show the NHS Supply Chain all sides of the alsico they were trusting to manufacture and supply their workwear, and this included our innovations in 3D design.
what this innovation means for our customers
Behind every innovation at alsico is a simple goal -- to create garments that help people feel and perform their best at work. Our move to digital design and precision engineering through Style 3D means every piece of clothing is developed with the wearer’s comfort, confidence, and wellbeing in mind.
Each design decision — from fabric choice to seam placement — is informed by data and digital testing. This ensures better fit, improved movement and long-lasting performance in real working conditions. The result? Workwear that doesn’t just look professional, but feels right from the first wear to the last.
sharing innovation with the wider industry
Our commitment to innovation doesn’t stop within our own design studios.
Recently, our Technical Designer, Matthew Tallant, attended and presented at the Next Level 3D event in Manchester – hosted by Alvanon, the ASBCI, and the University of Manchester.
The event brought together leaders from across the textile industry to explore how 3D design and AI are shaping the future of fashion and workwear. Matthew shared insights into how alsico is integrating Style 3D into our design process, showcasing the benefits of digital garment creation and the tangible sustainability gains it brings.
By taking part in discussions like these, alsico not only contributes to the wider conversation about technology in textiles but also ensures we remain at the forefront of innovation – learning, sharing and evolving with our industry peers.
digital design in action: healthcare stretch collection
stretch. breathe. care
Developed using Style 3D, our new healthcare stretch collection was designed to meet the physical demands of care professionals through precise digital garment simulation. By analysing movement, tension and pressure points before sampling, we created garments that move naturally with the wearer – delivering lasting comfort, resilience and confidence in fast-paced environments.
shaping the future
Our move to 3D design isn’t just a technological upgrade – it’s a reflection of alsico’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovation and collaboration.
By embracing the possibilities of digital design, we’re creating smarter workflows, reducing waste and offering our customers a more interactive and transparent way to shape their workwear.
Because at alsico, innovation isn’t just about what we make – it’s about how we make it.
To find out how 3D design could transform your next workwear project, get in touch with our team
learn more about the environments we supply into
Environments
wearer protection
Protection is weaved into every part of alsico, we build it into everything we do and it drives our every decision. Our protective workwear range covers all high-safety sectors.
Environments
healthcare
We are one of the largest healthcare uniform suppliers in the UK, and are the majority supplier for the new NHS National Healthcare Uniform project.
Environments
workwear
At alsico, we have shown excellence in a wide range of work uniforms, ranging from warehousing to global travel companies and from transportation to construction.
Environments
electrification
Our passion for creating innovative fabrics has positioned us as a key supplier in the exciting new sector of electrical safety clothing, from battery companies to aerospace, to all anti-static environments.
Environments
contamination control
We have developed a specialism in cleanroom clothing and uniforms, delivering exceptional performance in highly controlled environments.
Environments
emergency response
We are always honored to be asked to provide workwear for our emergency services teams. We put our trust in them to help to look after us, and we do our very best in return, delivering performance when it matters.
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