Hanyang Women's University, established in 1974, is a leading educational institution in South Korea dedicated to higher vocational education for women. By strengthening industry-academic cooperation and building a cutting-edge digital learning environment aligned with global market trends, the university cultivates highly practical, immediately career-ready professionals who meet the diverse needs of industry. Its Seoul campus offers more than 30 majors, combining rigorous theory with hands‑on practice so that graduates can contribute to the workforce from day one. Advanced facilities—including the AI Convergence Innovation Center and the university‑run Knit Research Lab—enable joint projects with corporate partners to develop high‑value technologies and content.

South Korea’s only dedicated knit fashion program

Among the University’s 30-plus majors, the Knit Fashion Design Department and the Knit Fashion DX Department constitute the nation’s sole academic program devoted exclusively to knit fashion. Their integrated curriculum covers the entire product development process—from yarn selection, knit structures and pattern making to planning, design and programming of machines—while also embedding digital fashion and marketing practice to foster globally minded talent who blend technical mastery with creativity.

To realize the goal of “producing work-ready knit fashion professionals,” both departments have adopted SHIMA SEIKI’s industry standard computerized flat knitting machines and SDS^® -ONE APEX series 3D design system. Widely used by apparel companies worldwide, SHIMA SEIKI solutions create a learning environment that translates directly into market-ready skills. The decisive factor was the ability to embed the entire digital workflow—from planning and design to manufacturing—into education. Through consistent hands-on training utilizing the SDS^®-ONE APEX series, including planning and design, knit simulation, 3D virtual sampling, and knitting on flat knitting machines, students are able to gain experience equivalent to that of an actual production environment.

Effective curriculum for talent development

The department’s curriculum is based on the following three agenda and is meticulously structured to let students experience the entire knitwear development cycle in one continuous stream.

• Highly value-added knit fabric development and 3D virtual sampling on SDS^®‑ONE APEX series
  All 55 SDS^®-ONE APEX units are fully utilized in coursework.
• Knit fabric production on a full lineup of computerized flat knitting machines ranging from 3 G to 16 G
  A total of 22 computerized flat knitting machines, including the latest N.SVR model, are in operation.
• Seam-free knitwear production on WHOLEGARMENT^® knitting machines, acquiring programming and knitting techniques
  Total eight WHOLEGARMENT^® knitting machines—including MACH2XS and SWG061N2—are installed.

* Machine models and number are current as of August 2025.

This end to end approach, reinforced by design thinking courses and a capstone project, deepens each student’s technical expertise and creative capacity. Graduates therefore step into the industry as knit designers, programmers, and production managers both in Korea and abroad, while a significant number have founded their own knitwear labels. Together, the department and its alumni have established a visible and growing presence across the global knit fashion landscape.

Ms. Ko, who graduated from the Knit Fashion Design Department in 1999, mastered the entire process of knitwear development—from design to knitting—during her studies by utilizing the SDS^®-ONE APEX series and computerized flat knitting machines. After graduation, she held a long career at HANDSOME, a leading apparel company and SHIMA SEIKI user of computerized flat knitting machines and SDS^®-ONE APEX series. Drawing on the hands-on training gained at the university, she worked for many years in knit material planning and development. In 2023, motivated by the desire to provide warm and comfortable knit products for pets, she founded “Lym’s Stitch.” The brand also employs SHIMA SEIKI’s computerized flat knitting machines and SDS^®-ONE APEX series to establish an efficient production system that covers everything from sample creation to mass production. The practical knitwear development skills acquired at the university have continued to support her career growth even after graduation.

The Department of Knit Fashion Design at Hanyang Women’s University will continue to integrate SHIMA SEIKI solutions into its curriculum, aiming to nurture the next generation of professionals and help shape the future of the global knit fashion industry.