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A new design of safety vests was developed for patients with uncontrollable behaviour or altered conscious level in this study. A comprehensive approach for designing functional textile and apparel products was adopted. The design request and exploration of the design situation and problem were identified. The settings in the general and psychiatric wards and the traditional ways of the use of safety vests on patients were examined. Problems of the traditional safety vests were identified, such as loose fitting design and large armholes, tight neckline which may result in unexpected accidents such as strangulation, difficulty of wearing, limited mobility, and obsolete functional design.

A new set of design criteria and specifications were then developed. An interaction matrix of design specification for safety vests was formulated since some of the design specifications are in conflict with each other. For instance, a tight fit design could optimize the level of restraint, but it may result in patients' psychological and physiological discomfort due to limited mobility. Supported by the evaluation of fabric materials and fastening systems, a new design of safety vests was then developed and evaluated.

Evaluates the mechanical properties of 60 different shirting materials: fabric extensibility, formability, shear rigidity, bending rigidity, relaxation shrinkage, and hygral expansion by the adoption of the fabric assurance by simple testing (FAST) system. Investigates manufacturing processes comprising spreading, cutting, sewing, handling, pressing and packaging and correlates the measured properties of the shirting fabric with their actual performance during making up. Claims this overall evaluation of respective fabric performance enables manufacturers to identify the range of mechanical properties ideal for high‐quality shirt production. Adds that specific manufacturing instructions can be prepared, based on the results of fabric property evaluation, for fabrics which tend to present difficulties in production. Points out that these can considerably expedite the manufacture of garments, avoiding the alternative – expensive “trial and error” – solution to problems.

Physical restraints have been commonly used in health care settings for people with challenging behaviours. The function performance of restraint garments in relation to their design attributes is evaluated so as to optimise the protection and safety of patients. In contrast to the traditional approach of evaluating fabric properties, this study proposes a practical and systematic approach in which the effects of the design attributes of restraint garments can be evaluated based on their unique functions of mobility control, safety and practical use of restraint in medical/healthcare settings. The design and performance of traditional restraint vests are assessed and compared against two new prototypes of restraint garments in terms of the amplitude of arm movement, garment interface pressures and displacements of 3D motion coordinates by using the Novel Pliance X pressure and motion capturing system. The results reveal that design attributes affect the performance of mobility restriction and safety of restraint garments. Necklines with collar piping and the use of reinforcement seams to withstand continuous stress during struggling may lead to extremely high interface pressures at the neckline and armholes, which result in ischemia injuries and even potential strangulation.

The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively assess the three-dimensional (3D) geometry and symmetry of the torso for spinal deformity and the use of orthotic bracewear by using non-invasive 3D body scanning technology.

In pursuing greater accuracy of body anthropometric measurements to improve the fit and design of apparel, 3D body scanning technology and image analysis provide many more advantages over the traditional manual methods that use contact measurements. To measure the changes in the torso geometry and profile symmetry of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, five individuals are recruited to undergo body scanning both with and without wearing a rigid brace during a period of six months. The cross-sectional areas and profiles of the reconstructed 3D torso models are examined to evaluate the level of body symmetry.

Significant changes in the cross-sectional profile are found amongst four of the patients over the different visits for measurements (p < 0.05), which are consistent with the X-rays results. The 3D body scanning system can reliably evaluate changes in the body geometry of patients with scoliosis. Nevertheless, improvements in the symmetry of the torso are found to be somewhat inconsistent among the patients and across different visits.

This pilot study demonstrates a practical and safe means to measure and analyse the torso geometry and symmetry so as to allow for more frequent evaluations, which would result in effective and optimal treatment of spinal deformation.

Conventional sportswear design does not take into account body size changes that many individuals experience (e.g. through pregnancy, puberty, menstruation, etc.). This paper aims to detail both the construction of a novel wearable shape-adaptive composite and a new meso-scale material design method, which enables the optimal creation of these structures.

This work reports the development of a predictive computational model and a corresponding design tool, including results of a tensile testing protocol to validate their outputs. A mathematical model was developed to explore the geometric parameter space of a bi-stable composite system, which then feeds into an optimization design tool.

The authors found that it is possible to fabricate shape-adaptive composites via 3D printing bi-stable structures, and adhering them to a base textile. Experimental mechanical tensile testing showed good agreement with the predictive model in mid-range unit cell amplitude designs. To illustrate how the optimization design tool works this paper details two design examples, one for expected shape change during pregnancy and one for targeted compression for high performance swimwear. The optimized design parameters are shown to replicate the target parameters, however there is potential for further improvement with a lower stiffness base textile.

Although there is a wealth of research on multi-stable mechanisms, there is a dearth of studies that apply these structures in the wearable composite space. Additionally, there is a need for design methods which leverage the structurally-programmable capabilities of multi-stable structures to create optimized, high-performance functional composites.

One of the crucial steps in the molded bra production is the process of developing the mold head. The purpose of this paper is to determine the final cups style and size. Compared with traditional development process of the mold head, less time-consuming and a more quantitative method is needed for the design and modification of the mold head.

A three-dimensional (3D) numerical model for the simulation of large compressive deformation was built in this paper to research the foam bra cup molding process. Since the head cones have more representative than the mold heads, the male and female head cones were used in the simulation. All of the solid shapes are modeled by using 3D Solid 164 elements as well as an automatic surface-to-surface contact between head cones.

Simulation of the foam cup molding process is conducted by inputting different properties of the foam material and stress-strain curves under different molding temperatures.

In order to simulate the laminated foam moulding process, heat transfer through a layered textile assembly can be studied by using the thermo-mechanical coupled FE model.

According to the different foam performance parameters under different temperatures along with different head cone shapes, distribution and variation in the stress field can be obtained as well as the ultimate capacity of foam materials.

A computer-aided parametric design system for the mold heads provides an effective solution to improving the development process of mold heads.

The distribution and variation in the stress fields can be analyzed through simulation, providing a reference for the mold head design.

China represents around 20% of the world's population, and her economy is still performing well under economic crisis. Historical events have shaped different parts of China with different economic developments and cultural encounters. The most prominent difference is between Hong Kong and the Mainland. This chapter would like to examine the development and issues of fashion retailing in China. For better understanding, this chapter starts with a brief discussion on apparel industry development and fashion culture in Hong Kong and the Mainland, follows by historical development and then presents systems of fashion retailing in both Hong Kong and the Mainland. Desktop research and exploratory research techniques were employed. Stores of international fashion luxury brands in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing were visited. Comparison of branding issues, particularly for luxury market in Hong Kong and the Mainland are discussed, so are future directions of fashion retailing in these places.

Breastfeeding bras are functional garments having specialised features to facilitate easy breastfeeding. The purpose of this paper is to design and develop breastfeeding bra prototypes with a focus on the needs of the user.

The method uses gathering breastfeeding user requirements through consumer surveys. The subsequent data analysis and a literature review provided the basis for feature selection for the breastfeeding bra designs. The bras were constructed using ultrasonic welding and bonding techniques. The mechanical properties of the fabric were measured. Lastly, the designed bras underwent a wear trial to evaluate their effectiveness.

The bra prototypes use non-restrictive designs and aesthetically appealing construction methods with smooth panel joints. The results of the wear trial demonstrated the successful incorporation of user requirements in the final product.

The insights from user-need mapping through consumer surveys and a literature review provided the basis for the new design of breastfeeding bras using stitchless technology. The developed bras have unique features that have not been explored earlier in this product category.

The purpose of this paper is to measure the craniofacial dimensions of 41 full‐term neonates nursed in the Special Care Baby Unit of Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong, so as to develop a good‐fitting and secure eye‐patch protector for protecting neonatal eyes from the strong light in phototherapy.

In total, 14 craniofacial dimensions were measured using a new, safe and non‐intrusive method with a close‐range photogrammetric system and two dimensions of head circumference and facial arc were measured using manual method with a disposable paper tape in the hospital environment. Birth information of gestation, age, gender, present weight and present length has been recorded. A descriptive statistics was produced based on the measured data. Correlations between each pair of dimensions were investigated and factor analysis was conducted for application on an eye‐patch protector development.

Head circumference was identified as the most desirable key dimension of a sizing system for an eye‐patch protector. Two head circumferences with the sizes of 310‐349 mm and 350‐389 mm, respectively, could effectively cover all full‐term neonates. Design guidelines were generated according to the measurement of the craniofacial dimensions.

This paper presents the craniofacial dimensions of head, eye, nose and ear parts of full‐term neonates.

This study aims to develop a sports bra with cosmetic microcapsules that supports the breasts and provides an aesthetically upright and lifted posture by using 28 days period.

A fitting process was carried out on provided seamless sports bras to determine the criteria that have to be improved considering the desired properties. The new sports bras were produced after the pattern design was developed; cosmetic microcapsules were applied to some of the bras and some were used as a control group to compare the real cosmetic effects. Female subjects tried the newly developed sports bras in a 28-day wear trial. Measurements were taken at certain periods during the wear trials, and the obtained data were analyzed statistically.

The findings of this study determined that the product provides a decrease in breast girth and increases skin moisture and nipple height after 28 days of regular use due to the effect of cosmetic ingredients released from microcapsules. A great majority of subjects found the breast lifting and supporting property of the sports bra successful and were satisfied with the new shape of the subjects' breasts.

Fitting studies were carried out directly on the female body, and the designed and developed encapsulating type sports bra has been transformed into a cosmetic textile product that gains also cosmetic properties. The cosmetic effects of the bra were investigated with wear trials. On the other hand, the nipple height measure term was defined for the first time and added to the literature within the scope of the study.