[pageLogInLogOut]

#Associations

Winners announcement: 2021 AATCC Concept 2 Consumer® Student Design Competition

AATCC is happy to announce the winners of the 2021 AATCC Concept 2 Consumers® Student Design Competition!

AATCC received 41 entries, with 57 students participating from 20 colleges and universities.

This year’s theme, Fashion Evolution, showcased AATCC’s Centennial—the Association’s 100th Birthday! The theme for AATCC’s Centennial celebrations is “Celebrating a Century—Focused on the Future!”

Fashion Evolution mirrored that theme. From the 1920s, when AATCC was founded, to the present day, students were asked to choose a decade from the last 100 years and reinvent the fashions for the 2020 decade, focusing on one or more of the following:

• fit/sizing for various body types

• sustainable fashion

• personal protection

• new textile materials/technology


First Place

Movement by Doran Kim, University of Texas, Austin

This student was awarded:

• US$1,000 from AATCC

• PantoneCotton Passport and COY mug

• US$300 SpoonflowerGift Certificate and Spoonflower DIY Book Bundle

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

• DatacolorColorReaderPRO

• One-year free AATCC Student Membership

 

Kim is a Textiles and Apparel Major & Entrepreneurship Minor at the University of Texas, Austin.

She says, “From this competition, I learned how fashion trends evolve and return to popularity. It was an educational moment for me as a designer to create a collection that brings nostalgia from past fashion trends in a way that the current market desires.

I have seen many fashion brands that only focus on one part of the sustainable production process. In the future, I want to create clothing that is truly sustainable in every step from sourcing to the after-use stage. I want to prove with my designs that we do not have to exploit natural resources, abuse animals, or neglect human rights just to look good. Contributing to better fashion practice is the future I dream.”

 

Second Place

Caminates by Carla Pierini, Drexel University

This student was awarded:

• US$750 from AATCC

• PantoneCotton Passport and COY mug

• US$150 SpoonflowerGift Certificate and Spoonflower DIY Book Bundle

• US$100 Jacquard InkjetFabric Systems gift certificate to obtain prepared for dyeing (PFD) fabric

• DatacolorColorReaderPRO

• One-year free AATCC Student Membership

 

Pierini is a sophomore majoring in Fashion Design at Drexel University.

She says, “From this competition I learned that no matter how abstract ideas can look, you can achieve the unimaginable with dedication, passion, and people that support and believe in your potential. For my future, I want to focus on finding the perfect balance in my career, working on sustainable, innovative, and impactful projects that will bring a positive change in the fashion industry and society.”

 





Third Place

Moonchild by Ingrid Yeung, University of California, Davis

This student was awarded:

• US$200 from AATCC

• US$75 SpoonflowerGift Certificate and Spoonflower DIY Book Bundle

• US$50 JacquardInkjet Fabric Systems gift certificate to obtain prepared for dyeing (PFD) fabric

• Datacolor

• One-year free AATCC Student Membership


Yeung is a Junior pursuing a BA in Design and BS in Managerial Economics.

She says, “Throughout this process, I learned the complexities of functional apparel design, and I was able to challenge myself to discover new forms of innovation and creativity within fashion. In the future, I aim to design within a space that merges functionality and aesthetic/beauty while also producing work with impact that can outlast the prevailing life cycle of rapid consumption.”


Developers, Judges, and Sponsors

AATCC would like to extend 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

• Hunter Ellis, President at Jacquard Inkjet Fabric Systems

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

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

• Alyssa McNamara, Project Manager at Spoonflower Inc.

• Kristie Rhodes, Manager, Product Development at Cotton Incorporated

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


Sponsors:



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

Business situation weakens slightly, but the industry stays cautiously optimistic

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has published the results of its 39th Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS), conducted from 14 to 22 July 2026 among companies along the entire global textile value chain. Worldwide, 10% of participants rated their business situation as good, 53% as satisfactory and 37% as bad — a balance of -26pp, down from -17pp in May but still well above the 2023 lows. All regions are now in negative territory, from South Asia at -3pp to North & Central America at -58pp.

#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.

Latest News

#Yarn & Fiber

Expansive innovations converge in Shanghai as Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 opens doors next week

With just days to go, industry enthusiasm is building for the opening of Yarn Expo Autumn, Asia’s premier yarn and fibre trade fair, running from 25 – 27 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2, buyers will find nearly 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, spread across seven specialised zones that range from cutting-edge man-made and regenerated fibres to time-honoured cashmere and silk. Beyond the extensive sourcing options, a fringe programme of trend showcases, presentations and product launches rounds out the three¬day event with design, innovation and market intelligence.

#Carpets

DOMOTEX Southeast Asia 2026 - Building the Gateway to ASEAN's fast-growing flooring market

From 11–13 November 2026, the inaugural DOMOTEX Southeast Asia will take place at BITEC (Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre) in Bangkok, Thailand. Jointly organized by GLOBUS Events Limited and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd., with Worldex G.E.C. Co., Ltd. as the local partner, the exhibition marks the expansion of the internationally recognized DOMOTEX brand into Southeast Asia. As the newest addition to the global DOMOTEX portfolio, the exhibition has been developed specifically to serve the rapidly evolving ASEAN market, creating a dedicated business event for the flooring and interior finishing industry.

#Sustainability

Execs help steer Cascale’s consumer goods agenda in Athens

The 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting, taking place September 15–17 in Athens, Greece, will convene leaders from across the global consumer goods value chain to tackle one of the industry’s defining questions: how to accelerate meaningful, system-wide transformation. Guiding those conversations as this year’s co-chairs are Sean Cady, vice president, global sustainability, responsibility, trade, and government affairs at VF Corporation, and Dr. Delman Lee, vice chair at TAL Apparel Limited.

#Research & Development

MELANGE starts with a co-creative design workshop at Aalto University to shape the visual identity of this new project transforming colouration in textiles

Over the next three years, MELANGE will lower the environmental impact of interior textile production by moving colour design to the beginning of the manufacturing process. This Horizon Europe project officially started on 1 August 2026, and will be publicly launched on 27 August 2026.

TOP