Abstract

Custom suit creation is a timeless art that requires precision and expertise, yet traditional tailoring often lacks the accessibility, transparency, and convenience modern customers expect. SuitCraft is a groundbreaking platform that addresses these challenges by seamlessly connecting customers, shopkeepers, and tailors through a user-friendly digital interface. Designed to empower every stakeholder, SuitCraft offers a blend of modern technology and personalized services, revolutionizing the bespoke tailoring experience.

For customers, SuitCraft provides a robust system to explore premium fabrics, evaluate tailoring options, and make informed decisions effortlessly. With features like city-based searching, fabric filters (by type, color, and price), shop ratings, and detailed tailor profiles, the platform ensures a convenient and transparent journey. Role-specific dashboards enhance the user experience further, allowing customers to manage their orders, shopkeepers to update inventories, and tailors to set prices, track progress, and maintain clarity in stitching timelines.

By integrating digital convenience with the artistry of bespoke tailoring, SuitCraft redefines the industry. Customers can enjoy online browsing or plan visits to local shops while shopkeepers and tailors gain a platform to showcase their expertise and grow their businesses. This synergy fosters trust, accessibility, and efficiency while promoting the local economy.

SuitCraft combines cutting-edge technology, like MongoDB for flexible data management and advanced filtering features, with an emphasis on simplicity and user-centric design. Whether online or in-store, SuitCraft ensures every step of the custom suit journey is elegant, efficient, and tailored to perfection, making it a pioneering solution for modern tailoring needs.

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Problem Overview

Sector & Vertical Introduction

The custom tailoring industry operates at the intersection of fashion, craftsmanship, and personalization. This sector caters to customers who seek perfectly fitted, high-quality clothing that reflects their unique style and preferences. While ready-to-wear garments dominate the global market due to convenience and affordability, the bespoke tailoring industry continues to thrive as a niche segment, particularly among individuals who value exclusivity, precision, and the artistry of tailoring.

In the broader fashion industry, custom tailoring occupies a vertical that prioritizes personalization and direct customer interaction. Unlike mass production, this vertical emphasizes quality over quantity, focusing on individual needs, fabric selection, design consultation, and precise measurements. The market includes multiple stakeholders, such as fabric suppliers, shopkeepers, tailors, and end customers, each playing a crucial role in delivering a custom garment.

Despite its traditional roots, the tailoring industry faces modern challenges, such as the need for digital integration, streamlined processes, and enhanced customer convenience. The growing demand for online solutions has opened avenues for innovation within this vertical, allowing platforms to bridge the gap between digital convenience and the craftsmanship of bespoke tailoring.

SuitCraft positions itself within this sector as a tech-enabled platform that integrates the best of digital solutions and traditional tailoring expertise. By focusing on accessibility, transparency, and personalization, SuitCraft aims to redefine how custom suits are created and delivered, catering to both modern customer expectations and the traditional values of the bespoke tailoring industry.

Market Coverage

The market coverage for SuitCraft spans both local and regional areas, primarily focusing on urban centers where demand for custom tailoring is high. The platform aims to bridge the gap between online and offline tailoring experiences, making bespoke suits more accessible to a broader audience.

SuitCraft targets a diverse customer base, including professionals, fashion-conscious individuals, and those seeking high-quality, personalized clothing for special occasions such as weddings, corporate events, and galas. The platform is designed to appeal to both first-time buyers who are new to the world of custom tailoring, as well as experienced customers who value the convenience of online browsing and seamless store visits.

For shopkeepers and tailors, SuitCraft offers a localized solution, enabling small and medium-sized tailoring businesses to reach more customers and grow their presence without the need for a large-scale online marketing investment. The platform’s city-based search feature ensures that customers can easily find nearby stores, helping businesses target their local markets effectively.

SuitCraft's market coverage is further enhanced by its focus on scalability. As the platform grows, it plans to expand into other regional markets, establishing a network of shopkeepers and tailors across multiple cities. This will allow customers in different regions to access tailored services, while businesses can tap into a wider customer base, improving their reach and increasing sales.

By combining the convenience of digital technology with local, personalized services, SuitCraft positions itself as a key player in the evolving custom tailoring market, addressing the needs of both customers and businesses while offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.

Pain Points

• Lack of Accessibility to Quality Tailoring
  Many customers struggle to find reliable, high-quality tailors in their local area, especially in smaller cities or towns. The traditional bespoke suit shopping experience often requires traveling to specific locations, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient. SuitCraft addresses this issue by providing a digital platform where customers can explore a variety of fabrics and tailor options from the comfort of their own home.

• Limited Transparency in the Tailoring Process
  Customers often feel uncertain about the quality and accuracy of the final product in traditional tailoring services. Without clear communication and visibility, it can be difficult to assess whether their preferences are being properly executed. SuitCraft resolves this with transparent communication features that allow customers to interact directly with tailors, view timelines, and track progress, ensuring clarity throughout the process.

• Difficulty in Finding the Right Fit and Fabric
  The custom tailoring industry lacks a consistent and convenient way for customers to explore fabric collections and understand which fabrics are most suitable for their needs. SuitCraft solves this problem by offering an intuitive platform where users can browse various fabric options, understand their properties, and make informed decisions before booking a fitting.

• Inconvenient Local Shopping Experience
  For shopkeepers, managing local inventory and tracking orders can be cumbersome, particularly without a centralized system. SuitCraft offers shopkeepers a dedicated dashboard to manage their fabric inventory, update stock, and process customer orders with ease, reducing operational inefficiencies and enhancing customer service.

• Inconsistent Pricing and Quality
  In the traditional custom suit industry, pricing can vary significantly, and customers often face challenges in determining whether they are receiving good value for their money. SuitCraft introduces price transparency, allowing customers to see clear pricing from different tailors and select services that match their budget and expectations, ensuring a more consistent and satisfying experience.

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App Engineering

Prospective Tech Stack

The SuitCraft platform leverages a modern and robust tech stack to ensure a seamless, efficient, and secure experience for all users. The frontend is powered by ReactJS, delivering an interactive and dynamic user interface. TailwindCSS is used for styling, enabling a clean and responsive design that adapts effortlessly across devices. On the backend, Node.js and Express.js work together to handle requests and manage server-side operations, ensuring optimal performance and scalability. MongoDB serves as the database, offering flexibility and scalability to manage the diverse data, such as fabric details, user profiles, and orders. JWT (JSON Web Tokens) and OAuth are used for secure user authentication, enabling safe access to the platform. Stripe and Razorpay are integrated for smooth payment processing, supporting various payment methods. Additionally, Socket.IO enables real-time communication, ensuring live updates for customers and shopkeepers. This comprehensive tech stack is carefully chosen to deliver a high-performance, secure, and user-friendly platform for customers, tailors, and shopkeepers.

Frontend

1. Home Page:

• Features:

  • Navigation Bar: Links to major sections such as Home, Shop, Tailor Services, Login, and Signup.

  • Hero Section: A large, attractive banner showcasing promotional content (e.g., new fabric collections, seasonal offers).

  • Search Bar: Allows users to search for fabrics, tailors, or cities directly from the homepage.

  • City-Based Filter: Prominently displayed to encourage users to select a city before browsing.

  • Categories: Display product categories like “Men’s Fabrics,” “Women’s Fabrics,” and “Tailor Services.”

  • Featured Products/Services: Display popular fabrics, best-rated tailors, and trending services.

2. Login/Signup Page:

• Features:

  • User Authentication: Login using email/password or social media accounts (Google/Facebook).

  • Sign-Up Form: Allows customers, tailors, and shopkeepers to sign up, capturing necessary details (name, email, password, role).

  • Forgot Password: A recovery option to reset passwords.

3. User Dashboard:

• Features:

  • Welcome Message: Displays user name and role (Customer, Seller, Tailor).

  • Order History: Users can view past orders, track status, and check order details.

  • Manage Profile: Option to update user information like contact details, shipping address, etc.

  • Saved Products: View previously saved products/fabrics for quick access.

  • Notifications: Displays important alerts related to orders, product updates, or tailor services.

4. Product Search & Shop Page:

• Features:

  • City Filter: Filters products based on selected city.

  • Fabric Search: Allows users to search fabrics based on type, color, and material.

  • Product Grid: Displays products in a grid view with options for sorting by price, popularity, or new arrivals.

  • Product Details: Clicking on a product shows detailed information (fabric type, price, availability, shop details).

  • Add to Cart: Option to add products to the shopping cart for checkout.

5. Tailor Services Page:

• Features:

  • Tailor Profiles: Each tailor has a profile with their services, prices, stitching time, and customer reviews.

  • Location-Based Services: Allows users to view available tailors in their city or region.

  • Tailor Search: Filter by services, price range, and location.

  • Request Tailoring: Option for customers to request a tailor's services for specific products.

6. Cart & Checkout Page:

• Features:

  • Cart Summary: Display all products added to the cart with price, quantity, and total.

  • Checkout Form: Capture user shipping information, payment method (Stripe/Razorpay integration).

  • Coupon Codes: Option to apply discounts or promo codes.

  • Order Confirmation: Show order summary with expected delivery dates.

7. Order Confirmation Page:

• Features:

  • Order Details: Display full details of the order, including items, total amount, and shipping information.

  • Payment Status: Indicate whether payment was successful or pending.

  • Estimated Delivery Time: Show expected delivery dates or tailoring completion time.

  • Track Order: Allow users to track the status of their order (e.g., processing, shipped, delivered).

8. Tailor Profile Page:

• Features:

  • Tailor Information: Displays details about the tailor, including services, pricing, reviews, and contact information.

  • Customer Reviews: Users can rate and leave reviews based on their tailoring experience.

  • Portfolio: Showcase images of completed custom suits or previous tailoring work.

  • Request Service: Option for users to book or inquire about tailoring services.

9. Shopkeeper Dashboard (for sellers):

• Features:

  • Manage Products: Allows shopkeepers to upload, update, or remove fabric products from the store.

  • Inventory Management: Track product inventory, manage stock levels, and mark out-of-stock products.

  • Orders & Sales: View customer orders, process shipments, and manage transactions.

  • Shop Profile: Update shop details such as location, contact information, and operating hours.

10. Admin Dashboard (for platform admins):

• Features:

  • User Management: View and manage all users (customers, sellers, tailors).

  • Product & Service Monitoring: Monitor products, tailor profiles, and ensure quality control.

  • Reporting: Generate sales reports, user activity statistics, and transaction summaries.

  • Notifications & Alerts: Admin can send platform-wide notifications or alerts to users regarding important updates.

11. About Us & Contact Us Page:

• Features:

  • About Us: A brief introduction to SuitCraft, its mission, and values.

  • Contact Form: A form for users to send inquiries or report issues with the platform.

  • Customer Support: Provide links to customer service, FAQs, and contact numbers.

12. FAQ Page:

• Features:

  • Frequently Asked Questions: Lists common questions and answers about products, services, payments, and tailoring.

  • Searchable FAQ: A search bar to quickly find relevant answers.

User Interface:

• Home Page UI:

The Home Page is designed to provide an intuitive and engaging user experience while showcasing all available fabrics and products. Here are the detailed components:

1. Navbar Section

• Logo: Positioned on the top-left corner for easy brand recognition.

• Search Bar: Allows users to search for fabrics or products by name, type, or keyword.

• Sort Feature:

  • Fabric Type: Dropdown menu listing fabric types (e.g., Cotton, Silk, Linen).

  • Color: A palette or dropdown for selecting fabric colors.

  • Price: A slider or range selector to filter products by price.

• Login/Register Button: Options for Customer, Seller, or Tailor to log in or register.

• Cart Icon: Displays the number of items currently in the cart and provides quick access.

2. Product Listing Section

• Grid Layout: All products are displayed in an organized grid format.

  • Fabric/Product Image: High-quality images to highlight the details.

  • Product Name: Name of the fabric or product.

  • Price: Clearly displayed price (e.g., price per meter or unit).

  • Add to Cart Button: A button for adding the product directly to the cart.

  • Details Button: Links to the product detail page for more information.

• Sorting Options: Inline sorting filters (Fabric Type, Color, Price) integrated above the product grid.

3. Top Sellers Section

• Highlight Section: Features top-rated sellers with their popular products.

• Seller Cards:

  • Seller Name: Name of the shop or seller.

  • Rating: Average rating displayed prominently.

  • View More Button: Links to the seller's full collection.

4. Featured Fabrics Section

• Highlighted Products:

  • Fabrics/products with discounts or trending tags like "New Arrival" or "Best Seller."

• Badges: Labels such as "20% Off" or "Limited Stock" for urgency.

• Quick View: Hover functionality to preview product details.

5. Recommendations for You

• Personalized Suggestions: Fabrics and products recommended based on the user’s browsing history, preferences, or past purchases.

6. Footer Section

• Quick Links: Home, View Collections, Tailor Services, Seller Services, Contact Us.

• Support Options: Customer care contact details and FAQs.

• Social Media: Links to Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, etc.

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Product Detail Page

The Product Detail Page provides a comprehensive overview of a specific fabric or product, ensuring users have all the necessary information to make an informed decision. Here's the detailed structure:

1. Product Overview Section

• Product Image Gallery:

  • A carousel or grid showing high-quality, zoomable images of the product from various angles.

  • Option for users to view images in full screen.

• Product Name and Description:

  • A clear and concise name of the product.

  • A detailed description covering the fabric type, texture, durability, and special features.

• Price Information:

  • Display of the price (e.g., price per meter or unit).

  • Offers or discounts highlighted with badges (e.g., “20% Off” or “Buy 2 Get 1 Free”).

2. Specifications Section

• Fabric Details:

  • Material (e.g., Cotton, Silk).

  • Available colors and patterns (with clickable color swatches).

  • Width and weight of the fabric.

• Care Instructions:

  • Washing, drying, and ironing guidelines for the fabric.

3. Quantity Selector

• Input Option:

  • Users can input the desired quantity (e.g., number of meters).

• Stock Availability:

  • Clearly displays the available stock.

  • “Only X items left” tag for low-stock products to create urgency.

4. Add to Cart and Buy Now Section

• Add to Cart Button:

  • Prominent button for adding the product to the cart.

• Buy Now Button:

  • Directs users to the payment gateway for instant purchase.

• Wishlist Option:

  • Allows users to save the product for later.

5. Seller Information Section

• Shop Details:

  • Name and rating of the seller.

  • Link to view the seller's full collection.

• Contact Information:

  • Contact details of the seller (visible only after login).

6. Reviews and Ratings Section

• User Ratings:

  • Average rating displayed with stars.

• Customer Reviews:

  • Recent reviews with user comments and images (if available).

• Option to Add Review:

  • Registered users can submit their own ratings and feedback.

7. Related Products Section

• Recommendations:

  • A row of similar or complementary products based on category, material, or user preferences.

8. Shipping and Return Information

• Shipping Details:

  • Estimated delivery time and shipping charges.

  • Option for expedited shipping (if applicable).

• Returns Policy:

  • Clearly defined policy for returns or exchanges.

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UX (User Experience):

• User-friendly Navigation: Simple and intuitive navigation with easy access to key features like browsing fabrics, viewing products,City-based Personalization and tracking orders.

• Responsive Design: Ensures the platform is usable on all devices, providing an optimal experience for desktop, tablet, and mobile users.

• Interactive Product Displays: Customers can zoom in on fabric images, view detailed product descriptions, and explore available tailoring options in a visually engaging way.

• Seamless Checkout Process: Easy-to-follow checkout with multiple payment options, ensuring a smooth transaction experience.

• Real-Time Updates: Instant notifications and updates on order status, delivery timelines, and tailor availability.

• Personalized User Experience: Customizable dashboards for customers, shopkeepers, and tailors, providing relevant information and tools to each user group.

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Backend:

The backend of SuitCraft is built to handle the core functionalities like user management, product management, tailor profiles, and payment integration, all while ensuring scalability, security, and real-time performance.

1. User Management:

• Technology: JWT (JSON Web Tokens) & OAuth.

• Role-Based Access: Customers, Sellers, and Tailors have different access permissions.

• Authentication & Authorization: Secure login and registration. Users can sign in using social media accounts (Google/Facebook).

• User Profiles: Store user details like name, contact info, role, order history, and preferences.

2. Product Management:

• Technology: MongoDB (NoSQL) for flexible, scalable data storage.

• CRUD Operations: Sellers can create, read, update, and delete fabric details, pricing, inventory, and shop information.

• Visibility Control: Shop details are only accessible to logged-in customers.

3. Tailor Management:

• Technology: MongoDB, Node.js, Express.js.

• Tailor Profiles: Tailors can create profiles with details like services, pricing, and stitching time.

• Visibility: Tailors' profiles and services are visible to customers after they log in.

4. City-Based Product Search & Filters:

• Technology: MongoDB for search queries.

• Location-Based Filtering: Search products and tailoring services based on city and geographical location.

• Advanced Filters: Filters based on fabric type, color, and price.

5. Cart & Checkout:

• Technology: Node.js, Express, Stripe/Razorpay.

• Cart Management: Users can add/remove items to/from their cart, view prices, and proceed to checkout.

• Payment Integration: Secure payments via Stripe or Razorpay to handle transactions.

• Order Confirmation: Real-time confirmation after purchase, with the option to apply discounts, taxes, and shipping fees.

6. Order Management:

• Technology: MongoDB, Node.js.

• Order Tracking: Store and update orders in real-time (e.g., processing, shipped, delivered).

• Order History: Provide users with access to past orders, order statuses, and payment receipts.

7. Notifications & Alerts:

• Technology: Socket.IO & Nodemailer.

• Real-Time Updates: Notify users when their order status changes, new products are added, or a tailor updates their profile.

• Email Notifications: Send confirmation emails for orders, payments, and other important updates.

8. Security Features:

• Technology: Helmet.js, bcrypt, SSL/TLS.

• HTTPS Encryption: Use SSL/TLS to encrypt data between the client and server.

• Password Security: Use bcrypt to hash and secure user passwords.

• Web Security: Helmet.js to set HTTP headers for additional security, preventing attacks like XSS, clickjacking, etc.

9. Data Storage:

• Technology: MongoDB, AWS S3/Cloudinary.

• User Data: Store sensitive user information such as profile data, orders, and preferences in MongoDB.

• Product Media: Use Cloudinary or AWS S3 for storing product images and other media files.

10. API Documentation:

• Technology: Swagger.

• API Documentation: Generate clear, easy-to-understand API documentation using Swagger, enabling developers to integrate with the platform.

11. Hosting & Deployment:

• Technology: AWS EC2, NGINX.

• Hosting: The backend is hosted on AWS EC2 instances for reliable and scalable cloud infrastructure.

• NGINX: NGINX acts as a reverse proxy to manage web traffic, load balancing, and performance optimization.

12. Scalability:

• Horizontal Scaling: As the platform grows, additional servers can be added to handle higher traffic.

• Database Scalability: MongoDB’s horizontal scaling ensures that the database can grow seamlessly with the application.

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Database

The database structure for the project will include multiple data types to efficiently store and manage various information related to users, products, orders, shops, and tailors. Below are the key data types and their corresponding fields:

Processed User Data:

• User Profile: Information about the user's personal details, preferences, and contact information.

• User Activity: Data related to user interactions, including orders, cart activity, and wishlist.

• Order History: Records of products purchased by the user and their status.

• Role-Based Data: Information specific to the user’s role (Customer/Seller/Tailor) and their respective permissions.

Processed Product Data:

• Product Details: Information about products, including description, category, and seller.

• Inventory Data: Stock levels, availability, and product status (available, out of stock).

• Pricing Information: Price, discounts, and associated details.

• Product Reviews & Ratings: Customer feedback on products.

Processed Seller Data:

• Seller Profile: Shop information, including shop name, contact info, and location.

• Inventory Management: Details about the seller's available products, pricing, and stock levels.

• Order & Payment Data: Information regarding customer orders, payment status, and shipping.

Processed Tailor Data:

• Tailor Profile: Tailor details, including location, pricing, and available stitching services.

• Stitching Order Data: Information on custom stitching requests made by customers, including pricing and delivery timelines.

• Service Availability: Details on the tailor’s availability and work schedule.

Processed Transaction Data:

• Order Data: Information about customer orders, payment details, and order status.

• Payment Status: Details on the payment status of each transaction (pending, completed).

• Shipping Details: Information related to the shipment of products, including address and tracking.

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Proposed Schema

1. Users Collection (users)

This collection will store all user-related information, categorized by user roles (Customer, Seller, Tailor). The document structure will differ depending on the user type, but common fields will include authentication data and personal details.

Schema:

{
    "_id": ObjectId,
    "email": String,        // User email (unique)
    "password": String,     // Encrypted password
    "role": String,         // "customer", "seller", "tailor"
    "firstName": String,
    "lastName": String,
    "phoneNumber": String,
    "address": String,
    "city": String,
    "profilePicture": String, // URL to profile picture
    "preferences": {
        "preferredFabric": String,
        "tailorLocation": String
    },
    "cart": [               // Reference to user's cart items
        {
            "productId": ObjectId,
            "quantity": Number
        }
    ],
    "orderHistory": [       // Reference to user's past orders
        {
            "orderId": ObjectId,
            "status": String,
            "orderDate": Date
        }
    ]
}

2. Shops Collection (shops)

This collection stores information about different tailoring shops, including their locations, fabrics, pricing, and inventory.

Schema:

{
    "_id": ObjectId,
    "shopName": String,
    "ownerId": ObjectId,       // Reference to the seller/owner (from the `users` collection)
    "location": String,        // Physical address or city-based location
    "city": String,
    "shopDescription": String,
    "contactDetails": {
        "email": String,
        "phoneNumber": String
    },
    "shopRating": Number,      // Average rating from customers
    "inventory": [            // List of available fabrics and tailoring services
        {
            "fabricId": ObjectId, // Reference to fabric in the `fabrics` collection
            "price": Number,
            "quantityAvailable": Number
        }
    ],
    "servicesOffered": [       // List of tailoring services (e.g., custom suit making)
        {
            "serviceId": ObjectId,  // Reference to services in `services` collection
            "serviceDetails": String,
            "estimatedTime": String,
            "priceRange": String
        }
    ]
}

3. Fabrics Collection (fabrics)

This collection stores information about fabrics available for tailoring, including fabric types, color, price, and image URLs.

Schema:

{
    "_id": ObjectId,
    "fabricName": String,
    "fabricType": String,       // E.g., cotton, wool, linen
    "color": String,
    "pricePerMeter": Number,
    "imageURL": String,         // URL to fabric image
    "description": String,
    "availableStock": Number,   // Quantity available in inventory
    "shopId": ObjectId,         // Reference to the shop offering the fabric
    "createdAt": Date,
    "updatedAt": Date
}

4. Tailors Collection (tailors)

This collection holds information about individual tailors, their specialties, and service details.

Schema:

{
    "_id": ObjectId,
    "userId": ObjectId,        // Reference to the user (from the `users` collection)
    "shopId": ObjectId,        // Reference to the shop the tailor works at
    "location": String,        // Geographical location of the tailor (city/region)
    "services": [
        {
            "serviceId": ObjectId, // Reference to the service in `services` collection
            "serviceDetails": String,
            "price": Number,
            "timeEstimate": String // Estimated time to complete the service
        }
    ],
    "rating": Number,          // Rating based on customer feedback
    "availability": [
        {
            "day": String,       // E.g., "Monday"
            "startTime": String, // E.g., "9:00 AM"
            "endTime": String    // E.g., "5:00 PM"
        }
    ]
}

5. Orders Collection (orders)

This collection stores details about customer orders, including order items, tailor information, and order status.

Schema:

{
    "_id": ObjectId,
    "userId": ObjectId,         // Reference to the customer (from `users` collection)
    "shopId": ObjectId,         // Reference to the shop (from `shops` collection)
    "orderItems": [
        {
            "fabricId": ObjectId, // Reference to fabric in `fabrics` collection
            "quantity": Number,
            "price": Number
        }
    ],
    "tailorId": ObjectId,       // Reference to the tailor handling the order (from `tailors` collection)
    "orderDate": Date,          // Date of order placement
    "deliveryDate": Date,       // Expected delivery date
    "status": String,           // E.g., "pending", "in progress", "shipped"
    "paymentStatus": String,    // E.g., "paid", "pending"
    "totalAmount": Number,
    "shippingAddress": String
}

6. Services Collection (services)

This collection stores details about the services offered by tailors and shops, such as custom suits, alterations, or repairs.

Schema:

{
    "_id": ObjectId,
    "serviceName": String,          // E.g., "Custom Suit", "Alteration"
    "description": String,          // Details about the service
    "priceRange": String,           // Price range for the service
    "timeEstimate": String,         // Estimated time for completion
    "shopId": ObjectId,             // Reference to the shop offering the service
    "tailorId": ObjectId,           // Reference to the tailor offering the service (optional)
    "createdAt": Date,
    "updatedAt": Date
}

7. Reviews Collection (reviews)

This collection stores customer feedback on products, shops, and tailors.

Schema:

{
    "_id": ObjectId,
    "userId": ObjectId,            // Reference to the customer who left the review
    "reviewedId": ObjectId,        // Can be either a shopId or a tailorId
    "reviewType": String,          // E.g., "shop", "tailor"
    "rating": Number,              // Rating out of 5
    "reviewText": String,          // Customer's review text
    "createdAt": Date
}

8. Cart Collection (cart)

This collection temporarily stores items added to a user’s cart before checkout.

Schema:

{
    "_id": ObjectId,
    "userId": ObjectId,        // Reference to the user (from `users` collection)
    "items": [
        {
            "fabricId": ObjectId, // Reference to the fabric in `fabrics` collection
            "quantity": Number,
            "price": Number
        }
    ],
    "createdAt": Date,
    "updatedAt": Date
}

9. Notifications Collection (notifications)

This collection handles real-time notifications for users regarding order updates, promotions, or news.

Schema:

{
    "_id": ObjectId,
    "userId": ObjectId,        // Reference to the user (from `users` collection)
    "message": String,          // Notification message
    "notificationType": String, // E.g., "order update", "new fabric available"
    "readStatus": Boolean,      // Whether the user has read the notification
    "createdAt": Date
}

Database Solution:

• MongoDB is selected as the database solution for your project due to its flexibility, scalability, and performance advantages. Here's why:

• NoSQL Flexibility: MongoDB enables the storage of data in a flexible, document-oriented format, which is perfect for handling diverse data types such as fabric details, user profiles, shopkeeper information, tailor services, and customer interactions.

• Scalability: MongoDB's horizontal scalability allows the platform to expand seamlessly as user traffic and data volumes grow. This ensures that the system can handle increasing numbers of products, orders, and user interactions without compromising performance.

• Performance: MongoDB's powerful indexing capabilities will facilitate fast data retrieval, especially in scenarios such as searching for fabrics, tracking orders, and querying user data.

• Real-Time Processing: MongoDB's support for real-time operations ensures that users receive timely updates regarding fabric availability, tailor services, and order status, which is essential for a responsive and dynamic platform.

• Cloud Compatibility: MongoDB Atlas (cloud version) provides a fully managed solution that offers high availability, automated backups, and robust security, ensuring that the data is safe, accessible, and easily scalable as the platform grows.

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Current Solution

SuitCraft is an innovative platform designed to bridge the gap between fabric shopping and custom suit tailoring. Unlike traditional platforms, SuitCraft offers an integrated, seamless experience where customers can not only browse fabrics but also interact with tailors to create personalized suits. This makes it a one-stop solution for fashion enthusiasts who seek quality, customization, and convenience in their clothing.

Here’s how SuitCraft compares to other similar platforms:

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Amazon:

• Strengths: Amazon offers a wide variety of fabrics and fashion products, including general suit materials.

• Weaknesses: Lacks direct integration with tailors for custom suit creation. While customers can browse fabrics, there is no platform to request tailoring services or get personalized designs. The experience is often impersonal and generic, with no support for customization of clothing.

Flipkart:

• Strengths: Flipkart provides a variety of fabrics and fashion items, similar to Amazon.

• Weaknesses: Lacks the ability to connect customers with tailors for custom suits. While it offers a range of fabric products, it does not focus on the tailored experience of personalized suit creation, making it more of a general marketplace.

Indie Brands (e.g., FabIndia):

• Strengths: Smaller niche brands like FabIndia offer curated, high-quality fabrics and personalized items.

• Weaknesses: They typically do not provide an integrated platform for custom suit tailoring. Customers must visit physical stores to request tailoring, limiting convenience and customization options.

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SuitCraft Strengths:

1. Integrated Platform:

   • SuitCraft allows customers to browse a wide variety of fabrics and then directly connect with tailors to create their custom suits. This integration makes the process smooth and convenient without needing to visit multiple stores or websites.

2. Real-Time Updates:

   • Customers are kept up-to-date with real-time information on fabric availability, pricing, and tailor timelines. This ensures that the shopping experience is dynamic and transparent, preventing delays and providing a sense of immediacy.

3. Personalized Experience:

   • SuitCraft’s platform offers detailed tailor profiles, showcasing the various tailoring services offered. Users can select fabrics and customize their suits according to their preferences, allowing for a truly personalized design.

4. Seamless Shopping and Tailoring:

   • Users can shop for fabrics and request tailoring services all within the same platform. This eliminates the need to juggle between different websites or stores, streamlining the entire process.

5. Cost-Effective:

   • Compared to traditional retail options for fabric shopping and suit tailoring, SuitCraft offers more affordable prices while maintaining high-quality products and services.

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Conclusion:

SuitCraft offers a comprehensive, user-centric platform that integrates fabric shopping with professional suit tailoring. Unlike broad, impersonal marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart, SuitCraft provides a more specialized and customized experience, allowing customers to create their perfect suit without the hassle of dealing with multiple vendors or platforms. With personalized options, real-time updates, and a seamless user interface, SuitCraft stands out as a uniqu

Why SuitCraft Stands Out

SuitCraft stands out in the competitive world of custom tailoring and fabric shopping due to its unique combination of personalized service, convenience, and technology. Here's why it is a game-changer in the industry:

1. Integrated Platform for Fabric Shopping and Tailoring Services: Unlike traditional e-commerce platforms like Amazon or Flipkart, SuitCraft offers a seamless experience where customers can not only browse premium fabrics but also directly connect with skilled tailors for custom-made suits. This integration removes the hassle of visiting multiple platforms and stores, streamlining the entire process from fabric selection to suit tailoring.

2. City-Based Searching: SuitCraft uses city-based searching, ensuring that customers can find the best local tailors and fabric sellers relevant to their location. This hyper-localized feature allows users to search for tailored services and fabric options within their city, improving convenience and ensuring faster deliveries. Whether you're looking for a tailor in New York or fabric suppliers in Mumbai, SuitCraft has you covered.

3. Real-Time Fabric and Tailor Availability: The platform provides live updates on fabric availability and tailor timelines, ensuring that customers always have access to the most accurate information. This reduces delays and surprises, allowing customers to make informed decisions about fabric choices and tailoring services.

4. Personalized Experience: SuitCraft offers a highly personalized shopping experience. Customers can explore various fabric types, view detailed tailor profiles, and select customizations for their suits. Tailors can adjust prices and services according to customer preferences, creating a tailor-made suit that fits not only the body but also the customer's unique style.

5. Convenience and Cost-Effectiveness: By providing an all-in-one platform that combines fabric shopping and tailoring services, SuitCraft removes the need for customers to visit multiple stores. This reduces costs and effort, making the entire process more affordable and convenient than traditional retail.

6. Engagement with Local Vendors: SuitCraft ensures that customers are not just browsing fabric collections; they are also engaging with local sellers and tailors. This helps support small businesses and allows customers to choose services based on proximity, convenience, and trust.

7. Advanced Technology Integration: With features like real-time updates, city-based searching, and user-friendly dashboards, SuitCraft integrates cutting-edge technology to provide an engaging, efficient, and transparent shopping experience. From fabric inventory management to order tracking and payment processing, every aspect of the user journey is optimized for speed, convenience, and reliability.

8. Quality and Craftsmanship: At its core, SuitCraft is focused on providing premium fabrics and expert tailoring services that ensure each customer receives a high-quality, custom-made suit. The platform facilitates direct communication between customers and tailors, allowing for a level of craftsmanship that is often missing in mass-market clothing.

Tools & Pre-requirements for SuitCraft

To develop SuitCraft, the following tools and pre-requirements are needed for building a robust, scalable, and user-friendly platform:

1. Frontend Development Tools

• React.js: For building dynamic user interfaces.

• Next.js: For server-side rendering and performance.

• TailwindCSS: For responsive and customizable designs.

• Redux: For managing global state (e.g., user data, cart).

2. Backend Development Tools

• Node.js: JavaScript runtime for server-side operations.

• Express.js: For building APIs and server-side logic.

• MongoDB: A flexible database for storing user data, fabric details, and orders.

• JWT (JSON Web Tokens): For user authentication and session management.

3. Payment Integration

• Stripe or PayPal API: For handling secure transactions.

4. Storage and Media

• AWS S3 / Google Cloud: For storing images, fabrics, and media.

• Cloudinary: For image optimization and delivery.

5. Real-time Features

• Socket.io: For real-time updates (e.g., order status or tailoring progress).

• Twilio: For SMS notifications to users.

6. Analytics & Tracking

• Google Analytics: To track user behavior and improve the experience.

• Mixpanel: For tracking specific user actions like fabric selection.

7. Testing & Quality Assurance

• Jest: For unit testing React components and APIs.

• Cypress: For end-to-end testing.

• Postman: For testing API endpoints.

8. Deployment & Cloud Services

• AWS: For cloud hosting and scalability.

• Vercel: For frontend deployment.

• Docker: For containerizing the application.

• Kubernetes: For managing app deployment and scaling.

9. Version Control

• GitHub: For version control and collaboration.

• Git: For managing and sharing code.

10. Security & Compliance

• SSL/TLS Encryption: For secure data transmission.

• OAuth 2.0: For user authentication with third-party services.

• Web Application Firewall (WAF): To secure the platform from threats.

11. Pre-requirements

• User Research: Understanding user needs and preferences.

• Legal Compliance: Ensuring data privacy laws are followed (e.g., GDPR).

• Business Requirements: Defining pricing models and platform goals.

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Acknowledgment

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my mentor Smaranjit Ghose for their invaluable guidance and support throughout the development of the SuitCraft project. Their advice and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping the direction of the project.

As this project is still in progress, I am excited about the journey ahead and look forward to completing it in the near future. I am grateful for the opportunity to work on this personal project and the learning it has provided me