A new AI-powered platform backed by Li & Fung aims to eliminate the guesswork in denim design and manufacturing.
Les Mains Bleues (LMB), a global denim supply chain solutions provider based in Singapore, is launching Trend Engine+, an advanced AI-powered trend forecasting and market intelligence tool that delivers consumer insights to denim brands and merchants. The goal of LMB is to guide “brands to introduce the right products at the right time, ensuring they meet consumer demand and align with current interests,” JB Legouge, LMB director, told SJ Denim.
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“By understanding what consumers are looking for, brands can make more informed choices about product features, styles, and materials, leading to designs that better meet market demands,” he said.
The software enables users to make informed, data-driven decisions through comprehensive analyses of online search trends, social engagement metrics, retail performance analytics and market fluctuations. Additionally, LMB says Trend Engine+ provides predictive analytics and real-time insights necessary to pursue more efficient and sustainable business practices across key departments. In particular, the software assists brands in minimizing sample production and excess inventory , underscoring the significant role that technology plays in shaping a sustainable future.
“With the introduction of Trend Engine+, we aim to transform how brands approach their market strategies and product development cycle,” Legouge said. “By harnessing the power of AI, we provide our customers with the tools they need to understand their consumers better, forecast trends accurately, and ultimately reduce waste. This aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering sustainability in the industry.”
LMB will present the software at Kingpins Amsterdam on April 16-17.
The company has run a pilot with a few U.S. brands, and several denim brand partners have expressed interest in testing the platform. At Kingpins , LMB plans to pitch the platform to brand executives and decision-makers who are tasked with making strategic decisions regarding product development, supply chain and market strategies, and to merchandising and design teams, which Legouge said will find the insights particularly valuable for shaping their collection and line plan.
Brand partners utilizing the Trend Engine+ platform can access insights through a variety of offerings including customized seasonal, bi-monthly or monthly reports that deliver in-depth consumer trends, competitive insights and tailored recommendations. Brands can engage directly with LMB experts through consultations, workshops, strategy sessions or specific on-demand forecasts.
Trend Engine+ insights can also be integrated into LMB’s end-to-end supply chain services, allowing brand partners to optimize material sourcing, production timelines, and market entry strategies.
“Rapidly changing consumer preferences can make it difficult to predict which trends will resonate in the future. Brands must stay agile to shifts in style and demand,” Legouge said. Though there are other AI-powered fashion forecast tools, Legouge points out how the denim category is unique in how decision-makers must also consider fit, washes and finishing.
“Denim often undergoes various washing and finishing processes to achieve desired aesthetics. These processes can be resource-intensive and require specialized knowledge,” he said. “At LMB, our denim specialists and in-country product development teams assist brands in navigating these complexities. We manage the full product lifecycle, optimizing washing and finishing processes to help brands deliver high-quality, stylish denim while effectively addressing sustainability concerns.”
