MOTIF builds a learning platform for skills in the fast-paced apparel industry

The startup offers eight programmes, which include courses on 3D transformation and apparel costing.

E-learning platform MOTIF aims to plug the widening skills gap in the fashion industry by providing a professional community and catalogue of online training material for professionals and companies.

“The apparel industry is undergoing some major disruptions caused by pressures for speed-to-market, sustainability and personalisation. These disruptions are making a growing skills gap more and more evident,” Catherine Cole, CEO of MOTIF, told Hong Kong Business Magazine.

Cole also stated that the last generation that has production floor expertise will be retiring in five to ten years time and that there is a growing demand for skills that include data, 3D product design and development and digital marketing.

The startup offers eight programmes which include courses on 3D transformation, apparel costing, and how to run a fit session. Cole shared that they plan to double their courses by end-2020 that will cover technical skills such as commercial and soft skills for the apparel/fashion industry. They also have courses aimed at corporate HR or business teams that need to make sure employees have sound fundamentals and cross-functional understanding.

In November, MOTIF bagged $15.66m (US$2m) in a seed funding by fashion innovation firm Alvanon and incubator The Mills Fabrica.

They are working on virtual reality-enabled factory visits for professionals.