Rezip is a modular zipper-repair workstation developed by PCH Innovations in collaboration with STAM, as part of the EU co-funded project CISUTAC for textile circularity.
The system, used by Decathlon Italy, combines smart automation, handheld tools, and a digital interface to enable fast and efficient zipper repairs for apparel and sporting goods—often in under 10 minutes.
My role:
UX/UI design for the digital interface guiding the repair process.
The Challenge
One of the key challenges was accessibility.
Rezip introduces new tools, processes, and technologies, and needed to be usable by people with very different skill levels, from community users with no prior experience to professional tailors.
The digital interface had to:
One of the key challenges was accessibility.
Rezip introduces new tools, processes, and technologies, and needed to be usable by people with very different skill levels, from community users with no prior experience to professional tailors.
The digital interface had to:
- Make the repair process easy to learn
- Reduce friction during hands-on work
- Support consistency, documentation, and scalability
A core focus of the project was guidance without constraint.
The interface was designed to support users throughout the entire repair journey: from zipper recognition and spare-part selection to the execution of individual repair steps.
The system balances structure and flexibility:
- Step-by-step guidance for beginners and community users
- A freer, less prescriptive flow for experienced operators
This approach allows the workstation to adapt to different contexts while maintaining efficiency and accuracy.
Data & System Features
Beyond assisting with repairs, the app plays a key role in data collection and process optimization.
It records:
- Product type and zipper characteristics
- Identified flaws and performed repairs
- Repair times and outcomes
This data can be used to improve both repair workflows and future product design.
Outside the active repair flow, users can also access:
- A Repair Library for reference and learning
- A Stock Inventory to manage spare parts and tools
Results & Reflection
Rezip delivers a user-centered digital layer that makes an otherwise complex repair system approachable, efficient, and scalable.The interface enables consistent repair quality while accommodating a wide range of users, supporting the broader goal of textile circularity.
From a design perspective, this project highlights the importance of clarity and adaptability when designing for physical-digital systems. Creating an interface that works equally well for novices and experts required careful consideration of hierarchy, feedback, and pacing.
The project reinforced the role of UX/UI design as a facilitator: not just of usability, but of learning, accessibility, and long-term system improvement.