SEOUL, South Korea, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CLO Virtual Fashion, the global leader in digital garment solutions and developer of CLO and Marvelous Designer, announced today that SHIMA SEIKI, the leading knitting solutions provider and developer of APEXFiz Design software, has officially joined the CLO Ecosystem Partnership Program (EPP).
This collaboration brings together two industry leaders to create a seamless, end-to-end digital-to-production pipeline for knitwear, connecting CLO's digital garment technology directly with SHIMA SEIKI's plan-design-produce ecosystem for knitwear.
The CLO-SHIMA SEIKI collaboration allows CLO users and creators to move from digital concept to knitted output with unprecedented efficiency. By linking CLO with APEXFiz, SHIMA SEIKI's design software, the partnership introduces a frictionless workflow that expands creative capability while eliminating traditional barriers between design and production.
For example, if a designer wants a knit garment to appear realistic in CLO, the CLO-APEXFiz plugin streamlines the workflow on both sides. With just a simple click, users can import all relevant materials between CLO and SHIMA SEIKI. Previously, this required manually uploading five to six separate image layers and adjusting settings, which could take many hours.
CLO users who value precise knit results, high-quality imagery, and animated video output can now leverage the combined strengths of CLO and SHIMA SEIKI to create truly exceptional work. These digital creations can then be translated into real-world production thanks to the improved communication between the two platforms.
This partnership also reflects the growing momentum of the CLO Ecosystem Partnership Program, as leading global companies seek to integrate with CLO's industry-standard digital garment workflow.
"We are thrilled to welcome SHIMA SEIKI to the CLO Ecosystem Partnership Program," said Simon Kim, CEO at CLO Virtual Fashion. "Over the past year, we've built a strong network of EPP partners, and the collaboration with SHIMA SEIKI marks a significant milestone, especially for expanding digital knitwear workflows. Together, we're shaping the future of digital-to-physical garment innovation."
"We are delighted to embark on this partnership with CLO." said SHIMA SEIKI president Mitsuhiro Shima. "CLO's leadership in digital workflow solutions aligns perfectly with our vision to innovate across digital-to-physical experiences. By combining the strengths of both organizations, we look forward to delivering new value to our customers and accelerating the next generation of digital transformation."
The APEXFiz Integration Plugin is set for April, supported by the V-09C update from SHIMA SEIKI in March and the CLO 2026.0 release for enterprise users in April. This strategic integration empowers users of both platforms to exchange data seamlessly, enabling the creation of accurate, production-ready knitwear and eliminating cumbersome manual steps.
APEXFiz supports a wide range of design tasks, from original pattern creation and colorway development to knit, weave, print and embroidery simulation, making it an ideal companion to CLO's advanced digital garment environment, especially for e-commerce, visualization, and knitwear-focused product development.
About CLO Virtual Fashion (http://www.clovirtualfashion.com/)
CLO Virtual Fashion is the creator of CLO, the leading 3D fashion design software used and trusted by designers, small businesses, and titans of the fashion industry to achieve a seamless digital workflow. With over two decades of research and development in accurate garment simulation, CLO Virtual Fashion's mission is to empower users at every step of the garment journey, from concept to design, fitting to manufacturing, from styling to marketing. In addition to 3D garment design software, CLO Virtual Fashion's products include CLO-SET (a digital asset management and collaboration platform), CONNECT (a digital fashion hub and marketplace), and consumer-facing solutions such as e-commerce virtual fittings. CLO's interconnected and ever-growing product ecosystem is built to power the future of everything related to garments.
About SHIMA SEIKI (https://www.shimaseiki.com/)
SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan is a leading manufacturer in the computerized flatbed knitting machine industry. With complete systems integration from planning, production to sales promotion and retail sales, SHIMA SEIKI has been dedicating its products and services to the knitting industry worldwide through the latest in computerized knitting technology.
SHIMA SEIKI is also the pioneer in complete garment manufacturing technology—called WHOLEGARMENT®—wherein an entire knitted garment is produced on the knitting machine without the need for linking or sewing afterward. Since its commercial introduction in 1995, SHIMA SEIKI has been the undisputed leader in WHOLEGARMENT® knitting technology with 30 years of field experience and know-how, not to mention over 2,900 related patents and patents pending worldwide.
Meanwhile SHIMA SEIKI's SDS®-ONE APEX series 3D design system and APEXFiz® design software feature ultra-realistic knit simulation for creating virtual samples. Virtual samples minimize time, cost and material associated with the sample-making phase. Virtual samples can also be used to gauge consumer response to items before going to market, effectively realizing production based on demand forecasting. Inventory can therefore be optimized to minimize leftover stock, realizing smart, speedy and sustainable production.
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SHIMA SEIKI Joins the CLO Ecosystem Partnership Program
Saket Subramaniam of North London Collegiate School (Singapore) publishes peer-reviewed medical research on colorectal cancer liver metastasis in the American Journal of Student Research.
SINGAPORE, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- North London Collegiate School (Singapore) celebrates the remarkable academic achievement of Grade 11 student Saket Subramaniam, whose research has been published in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Student Research.
Currently serving as Academic Ambassador for the 2025–2026 academic year, Saket is deeply engaged in the intellectual life of the school. His paper, "The Correlation Between the Surgical Margin and Survival in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," was published in the American Journal of Student Research, an international academic journal that publishes student-led research across disciplines including medicine and the life sciences, on 9 February 2026, marking a significant milestone for a student researcher. The paper is available through the American Journal of Student Research website and via its DOI: 10.70251/HYJR2348.41601614.
From Curiosity to Independent Medical Research
His interest in the field began during Grade 10, when he explored an online course, "So You Want to Be a Surgeon?" offered by the University of Hong Kong. The programme introduced him to surgical subspecialties, and he became particularly fascinated by surgical oncology. While many researchers focus on organs such as the brain or heart, Saket chose to study the liver, drawn by its regenerative properties and by the complex challenges faced by patients with liver cancer, which has a five-year survival rate of approximately 20%.
Saket's work explores a critical question in surgical oncology: how much healthy tissue should be removed around a tumour in liver cancer surgery to maximise patient survival while preserving the liver's extraordinary ability to regenerate. The research investigates whether an "optimal" surgical margin exists, examining existing studies to better understand how surgical decisions can influence patient outcomes.
Methodology and Research Approach
The paper was developed as an independent research project under the guidance of Lumiere Education. Saket worked closely with his mentor, Huairen Zhang, a PhD researcher at the University of Cambridge, who supported him throughout the research process. Determined to challenge himself, Saket chose to conduct a meta-analysis, a statistically rigorous method rarely attempted by students in the programme, requiring him to independently learn advanced statistical methodologies.
Reflecting on the publication process, Saket noted that the experience of revising and refining his work in response to peer review was both demanding and rewarding. Receiving detailed feedback from the journal editors reinforced his confidence and strengthened his belief in the value of his research.
Academic Enrichment and Student Scholarship at NLCS (Singapore)
At North London Collegiate School (Singapore), Saket credits the school's academic culture, and especially Ms Holden, the Assistant Principal (Academic), for fostering his intellectual curiosity. One particularly formative experience was delivering a seminar titled "Cancer – what is it and why is it so deadly?" as part of the school's Seminar Programme. Preparing and presenting the session deepened his understanding of cellular biology while building his confidence in public speaking and teaching.
Inspired by the opportunities he had experienced at NLCS (Singapore), Saket has sought to expand academic engagement within the school community. In his role as Academic Ambassador, he launched the Bryant Lectures, a new student-led lecture series named after pioneering scientist and former NLCS (UK) headmistress Sophie Bryant. The initiative gives students the opportunity to deliver formal academic lectures, complementing the school's established McCabe Lectures delivered by staff, parents and visiting academics. The inaugural Bryant Lecture will take place on 18 March.
Saket's parents shared their pride in his achievement:
"We were absolutely thrilled to learn that his research has been published in the peer-reviewed American journal of Student Research. We have seen Saket grow in confidence, discipline and self-belief thanks to the dedicated efforts, guidance, and encouragement of his teachers at North London Collegiate School (Singapore) and his academic mentor. Their unwavering support has played a significant role in shaping the person he is becoming, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment."
Encouraging other students to pursue their interests, Saket emphasises the importance of embracing opportunity:
"Whether it is to publish your work or to pursue your passion, my single best piece of advice is to take the opportunities presented to you. Be a risk-taker; approach uncertainty with foresight, innovation, and resilience. Deliver your first seminar, create your own society, publish your own research, as you never know which small step might become the defining moment of your journey."
Saket's accomplishment reflects the spirit of intellectual ambition and academic curiosity that lies at the heart of North London Collegiate School (Singapore), an international school offering the IB curriculum, where students are encouraged to pursue academic enrichment, independent research, and scholarly inquiry beyond the classroom.
About North London Collegiate School (Singapore)
Founded in August 2020, North London Collegiate School (Singapore) is a British International School offering the academically ambitious NLCS curriculum, followed by the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme and culminating in the IB Diploma Programme.
Drawing on 175 years of educational heritage from its founding school in the UK, NLCS (Singapore) nurtures individuals to be intellectually curious, socially confident, and grounded in compassion through a rigorous academic framework, rich co-curricular opportunities, and exceptional pastoral care.
Situated on Depot Road, the School is part of a global family of schools committed to educational excellence and developing global citizens.
To learn more about NLCS (Singapore), please visit our website (https://nlcssingapore.sg/) and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
For media enquiries, please contact the NLCS (Singapore) Marketing Team
Email: marketing@nlcssingapore.sg
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North London Collegiate School (Singapore) Student Achieves Academic Milestone with Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication
