History
The History Behind the Fit Revolution
Alvanon was founded in 2001 by Dr. Kenneth Wang, a successful manufacturer of children's clothing and world-renowned expert in the apparel industry. Using his medical understanding of human anatomy, Dr. Wang recognized that the anatomies of children's mannequins available on the market were incorrect. These basic faults were also apparent in the body shapes used in the production of adult clothing. He identified many inefficiencies in the apparel supply chain that were common problems across the industry and demonstrated that costs could easily be reduced through the use of visualization technology, allowing companies to work smarter and more efficiently.
Alvanon started small, based out of a tiny office in New York, and a 2-room mannequin prototype line at Dr. Wang's apparel manufacturing facility in China. Since inception, the company has focused on assisting the apparel industry's product development process through scientific means.
Alvanon quickly demonstrated that poor fit was common across the industry, leading to billions of dollars in costs worldwide from returns, markdowns, alterations and exchanges. These problems were a result of industry data compiled as far back as World War II, when the hourglass figure was the most common body form among women. Scientific analysis conducted by Alvanon clearly indicated that women's figures had changed since the middle of the last century. The industry was stuck in a time warp, using as its standard a body shape that represents less than 10 percent of women today.
The mission of the company quickly became clear - to help manufacturers, retailers and brands make the transition away from outdated perceptions and begin employing the latest research in body shape as smoothly and inexpensively as possible.
Today, Alvanon is a successful multi-national company with a multi-million turnover. We are executing our vision to be the industry's global size and fit expert, through use of scientifically backed strategy consulting and practical tools.
Alvanon Timeline:
- 2001
- Alvanon is founded in NYC with 3 people and a 400 square foot office.
- Alvanon opens San Francisco Technology Office.
- AlvaChina Manufacturing is established in the basement of Dr. Wang's apparel manufacturing facility.
- AlvaForm prototypes are developed.
- 2002
- Janice Wang joins Alvanon as CEO.
- Hong Kong Office is established as an operations hub.
- AlvaChina Manufacturing moves into 5000 square foot premises with production capacity of 100 units a month.
- AlvaForm develops from prototype into streamlined mass production product.
- 2003
- Alvanon NYC office expands to 10 people.
- AlvaChina Manufacturing exhausts existing production and moves to 50000 sq. ft. facility, complete with 5 story dormitory with outdoor activity space.
- 2004
- Alvanon UK, Ltd is established in London as the UK and European sales office.
- Alvanon US consolidates offices, and expands NYC headquarters to half a floor.
- AlvaChina Manufacturing upgrades processes to accommodate larger capacity.
- 2005
- Alvanon partners with North Carolina State University to increase awareness of the current fit and sizing issues. Analysis yields that only 8 percent of US women are hourglass shaped.
- AlvaPhoto is launched.
- 2006
- Ed Gribbin joins Alvanon as Director of Strategic Services.
- Alvanon acquires exclusive license for use of the Intellifit database, the largest database of scanned bodies in the world.
- AlvaSpec Division is established for analysis of the scanned body database.
- AlvaBlock Division is established to enhance development of basic blocks on AlvaForms.
- AlvaTraining Division is established for global training of vendors.
- 2007
- Alvanon Germany office is established.
- Alvanon Consulting Group is established to provide strategic services for clients.
- AlvaScan Division is launched with the purchase and deployment of 2 Intellifit scanners.
