[pageLogInLogOut]

#Associations

AATCC announces the 2022 Concept 2 Consumer® Student Design Competition winners

Every year, students from all over the world participate in AATCC’s Concept 2 Consumer® Student Design competition. This competition is a poster competition that allows students the opportunity to showcase their creative design and problem-solving skills in textile/apparel design. Each year there is a different theme, this year’s theme asked students to design a sustainable travel wear line that incorporated recycled materials, sustainable manufacturing, and antibacterial and/or odor-control properties.

First Place

This year’s first-place winner is Seasons of Citrus which is a sustainable reversible multi-season travel line made by fruit made by Mali Jean Borisch who attends Kendall College of Art and Design at Ferris State University. Borisch is a Fashion Studies major set to gradate in Fall 2023. She says, “Designing for this competition has helped me understand how in-depth design should be and taught me that I really like science. I plan to continue studying fashion with a strong emphasis on designing with sustainably and further learning about the textile sciences.” Borisch was awarded:

• US$1,000 from AATCC

• Pantone Cotton Passport and Color of the Year (COY) mug

• US$300 Spoonflower Gift Certificate and Spoonflower DIY Book Bundle

• US$200 Jacquard Inkjet Fabric Systems gift certificate to obtain prepared for dyeing (PFD) fabric

• Datacolor ColorReaderPRO

• One-year free AATCC Student Membership


Mali Jean Borisch © 2022 AATCC
Mali Jean Borisch © 2022 AATCC


Second place

This year’s second-place winner is Flow Adaptive which is designed for any person of any gender who is looking for wheelchair adaptive clothing that is comfortable enough for travel, has a modern style, and unique designs by Sofia Morin who is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Morin says, “Through this competition, I learned about the importance of representation in fashion. Designing wheelchair adaptive clothing has given me a better perspective of the fashion industry as a whole and what changes need to be made to make it more inclusive.

I plan on graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with my BS in Apparel Design & Development and minor in Metals & Contemporary Art Jewelry. After graduation, I want to travel and continue my education in a fashion master’s program.” Morin was awarded:

• US$750 from AATCC

• Pantone Cotton Passport and COY mug

• US$150 Spoonflower Gift Certificate and Spoonflower DIY Book Bundle

• US$250 Jacquard Inkjet Fabric Systems gift certificate to obtain PFD fabric

• Datacolor ColorReaderPRO

• One-year free AATCC Student Membership


Sofia Morin © 2022 AATCC
Sofia Morin © 2022 AATCC





Third place

This year’s third-place winner is The Stories of Ooru which is a travel wear line designed with the intention that a person traveling to India is ready for every occasion by Nina Sajankila from Drexel University where she is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Fashion Design.

She says, “Participating in this competition made me think more about cultural differences while traveling and how I can mindfully invite the sharing and blending of cultures through design.

I plan to pursue sustainable and ethical design, while working internationally and learning from artisans who focus on the slow and thoughtful ways of exploring fashion for high-end design.” Sajankila was awarded:

• US$200 from AATCC

• US$75 Spoonflower Gift Certificate and Spoonflower DIY Book Bundle

• US$100 Jacquard Inkjet Fabric Systems gift certificate to obtain PFD fabric

• Datacolor

• One-year free AATCC Student Membership


Nina Sajankila © 2022 AATCC
Nina Sajankila © 2022 AATCC



Runway of Dreams Scholarship

This year Runway of Dreams Foundation provided students with the option to focus their design entry on adaptive fashion. One outstanding entry that incorporated designs for people with a disability was selected for US$2,500 scholarship award.

Lacertilia by Tiffany Liao, Thomas Jefferson University will be awarded this scholarship.

She says, “This competition has reinforced the phrase coined by Louis H. Sullivan, ‘form follows function.’ It was a fun challenge learning about adaptive fashion and determining the functionality of each item.

I hope to use my experience in design and engineering in the antidisciplinary world of “fashioneering” where human behavior, cultural advances, and societal needs influence wearable and functional design. (I basically want to be Edna Mode from “The Incredibles.”).”


Tiffany Liao © 2022 AATCC
Tiffany Liao © 2022 AATCC


Developers, Judges, and Sponsors

AATCC would like to extend thanks and appreciation to the following developers, judges, and sponsors. Without their expertise and assistance, the competition would not have been possible.

Developers

• Sandra Johnson, Senior Account Manager at Color Solutions International

• Nora Khanna, Product Development Manager at Pantone

• Kerry King, Vice President, R&D at Spoonflower Inc.

• Muditha Senanayake, Professor at Cal Poly Pomona

• Alyssa McNamara, Project Manager at Spoonflower Inc.


Judges

• Lisa Beck, Product Manager at Datacolor

• Emily Coleman, Designer and Merchandise Manager at Jefferies Socks

• Josh Goldman, Technical Designer at Nike

• Yvonne Johnson, Senior Director: Product Development at Cotton Incorporated

• Riho Katagiri, Lead Technical Designer at Nike

• Lauren Koury, E-commerce Specialist at Carolina Hosiery Mills

• Aimee LaValley, Product Development Manager at Polartec

• Mindy Scheier, Runway of Dreams Foundation

• Carrie Yates, Associate Director, Knit Product Development at Cotton Incorporated



More News from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists

#Associations

AATCC announces 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition winners

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) recognized the winners of the 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition. Founded in 1982 to give student members the chance to conduct and present original research, the competition was renamed in 1994 in honor of Herman and Myrtle Goldstein, following their US$60,000 endowment. Their gift is a lasting remembrance of their dedication to young people in the textile industry.

#Research & Development

New funding available for textile research

The AATCC Foundation Student Research Support Grant Program provides financial assistance for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing textile-related projects. Students may submit proposals now for funding to be awarded January 2026. Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2025, to be considered.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

AATCC’s Circularity Conference approaches as organization continues 2025 Sustainable Textile Event series

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) announces that registration is closing soon for its highly anticipated Circularity Conference, continuing this year’s sustainability event series that has delivered significant value to industry professionals.

#Associations

AATCC Textile Standards adopted by Colombian and Sri Lankan Governments

AATCC test methods and procedures are international standards, meeting the criteria set forth by the World Trade Organization and used around the globe. The standards gain additional recognition through Memoranda of Understanding with Colombia and Sri Lanka.

More News on Associations

#Associations

IVGT membership: expertise that pays off

For energy-intensive textile companies, government compensation mechanisms are an important economic factor. The IVGT successfully supports its member companies in applying for state aid and thereby regularly contributes to significant financial relief.

#Associations

Italian textile machinery orders show quarterly recovery in Q2 2026

In the period between April and June 2026, order intake for Italian textile machinery manufacturers showed mixed but encouraging signals for the second half of the year. The order index at constant prices stood at 46.6 points (taking 2021=100 as the base year), showing a slight decrease of 3% compared to the same quarter of 2025. This trend was largely due to the contraction recorded in the domestic market, which fell by 25% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

#Associations

Consolidation amidst difficult market conditions

The International Textile Manufacturer Federation has published its International Textile Industry Statistics (ITIS) on productive capacity and raw materials consumption in the short-staple organized (spinning mill-) sector in virtually all textile-producing countries in the world.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

ReSpin joins TMAS to advance textile recycling technology

Swedish textile recycling company ReSpin has joined the Textile Machinery Association of Sweden (TMAS) as a new member. The company develops a patented mechanical recycling technology designed to transform textile waste into new fibres suitable for yarn production.

Latest News

#Man-Made Fibers

Ministry of Industry Delegation visits NatureWorks’ second global manufacturing site at Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex

NatureWorks Asia Pacific Limited welcomed a high-level delegation led by Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, to its manufacturing site at the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex (NBC). The visit follows the successful inauguration of the site on April 29, 2026, and highlights the role of public-private collaboration in advancing Thailand’s sustainable industrial development and bioeconomy ambitions.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Indorama Ventures advances circularity tthrough PETValue Philippines' “Zero Waste to Landfill Partnership” with Republic Cement

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, is advancing the circular economy through a new Zero Waste to Landfill initiative at its recycling site PETValue Philippines, further demonstrating how collaboration across industries can maximize resource efficiency and reduce waste.

#Research & Development

Networking Day 2026: Industry stakeholders unite around textile recycling

In 2026, the Industry Research Group (IRG) Polymer Recycling once again brought together some of the key stakeholders in textile recycling for its annual Networking Day. This year, the event took place at EREMA’s premises in Ansfelden, Austria. It brought together key players from across the textile recycling value chain for a day of structured exchange and in-depth discussions.

#Knitting & Hosiery

The new RDJ 7/3 defines the design footprint of modern athletic shoes

Stylish, functional, and efficient to produce – spacer fabrics are the all-arounders among textile materials. These versatile fabrics are particularly in demand in the sports and casual footwear sector, as they combine comfort, breathability, and design freedom. At the same time, this industry is trend-driven, dynamic, and price-sensitive like few others. Innovations are therefore a decisive factor for success. With the RDJ 7/3, KARL MAYER offers a solution specifically tailored to these requirements. The particular strength of the new double raschel machine: its exceptional flexibility, thanks to its three jacquard bars.

TOP