Sustainability & digital innovation in action: DigitX Innovation Hub members at Lectra HQ
On 2 July, some members of the DigitX Innovation Hub visited the headquarters of Lectra, one of the hub’s Strategic Innovation Partners, in Cestas, near Bordeaux, France. The occasion, the first exclusive hands-on workshop for DigitX members titled “Sustainability & Innovations: Shaping the Future of Fashion Manufacturing”, was a full day dedicated to exploring how technology is transforming the fashion, furniture, and automotive industries.
Accompanied by Textile ETP’s Secretary General Lutz Walter and Communications Officer Matteo Mainiero, DigitX members were first introduced to Lectra’s main activities, including helping companies (including some of the biggest names in fashion) go digital, from the design stage all the way to production and sales, and move fast toward cloud-based, data-driven tools.
Lectra showcased how they handle the entire process of creating clothes digitally starting from the first design ideas to managing production and even how products are marketed and sold. It's not just about making clothes anymore, it's about making sure everything is connected, traceable, and smart.
One of the most interesting parts of the morning was the visit to their Innovation Lab, where Lectra tests new innovations like AI for creating new designs, or smart systems automatically checking fabric quality. Lectra also showed how to use generative AI to play around with shapes and styles, which made DigitX members feel like they had stepped into the future.
Later, the group visited the cutting area, where leather and other materials are processed using advanced technologies: digital pens and cameras scan natural leather, detect flaws, and optimise the cutting process helping reduce waste and improve efficiency. Lectra also gave a behind-the-scenes look at how they handle orders, from the instant a customer clicks "buy" to the moment the product is cut and ready to ship. In the afternoon, participants were invited into Lectra’s 4.0 factory, where everything is connected, automated, and built to handle the daily production of multiple orders, different styles, and changing priorities, displaying how tech and fashion meet in real life!
Throughout the day, DigitX members engaging with many Lectra experts, learning how Lectra not only develops technology for the industry but also uses it internally. Together, they also discussed the today’s major fashion challenges: staying sustainable, being transparent, and keeping up with fast-changing trends.
Big thanks to everyone at Lectra who hosted us and made it such a smooth and inspiring visit.
