#Associations

2021-06-17

Winners Announcement - 2021 Pitch it to Win it Student Competition

The Herman and Myrtle Goldstein Undergraduate Student Competition is intended to highlight projects conducted by students from all areas of the textile/apparel supply chain. Projects submitted may include academic research, technology and/or process investigations, and literature reviews. This competition is designed to enhance the textile education experience for student members of AATCC. The intent is to encourage independent student projects both within the USA and internationally.

AATCC is happy to announce the winners of the 2021 Pitch It to Win It Student Competition:

https://www.aatcc.org/students/competitions/pitchit/

First Place (US$1000)

Sophia Luu

Project: Optimizing 3D Fashion Design Software for Physically Disabled Populations

Major: Apparel, Merchandising, and Design: Creative and Technical Design

School: Iowa State University

Luu says “The Pitch It to Win It competition has helped me learn how to communicate very discipline-specific research endeavors into accessible presentations that anyone can understand and glean significance from. Additionally, this competition has further broadened my understanding of 3D fashion CAD systems and aspects that can be improved for inclusive apparel design purposes.”

Phase I Video Submission:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lChrYN8nb_s

Phase II Written Submission:

http://www.aatcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Optimizing-3D-Fashion-CAD-Software_Pitch-It-2021.pdf

Second Place (US$600)

Jessica Trippiedi

Project: Huubi

School: Fashion Institute of Technology

Major: Textile Development & Marketing

Trippiedi says, “Participating in the AATCC Pitch It to Win It competition gave me the freedom to ignite my passions and challenged me to explore the limits of endless possibilities.”

Phase I Video Submission:

https://youtu.be/ErRDLLRfwtY

Phase II Written Submission:

http://www.aatcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Huubi.pdf

Third Place (US$400)

Brooke McKee

Project: BooRay Clo.

School: University of Missouri

Major: Fashion Merchandising & Apparel Product Development

McKee says, “This competition taught me to be thorough in my work and to always back up my claims. As the process went on, I learned more and more about sustainability, humbling me on the amount of information I thought I already knew.”

Phase I Video Submission:

https://youtu.be/GmJHmJ5R0Ns

Phase II Written Submission:

http://www.aatcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/BooRay.pdf

Thank you to the following developers and judges!

Without their expertise and assistance, the Competition would not have been possible.

• Kanti Jasani, Performance & Technical Textile Consulting

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

• Janet Brady, Associate Professor Materials Technology, Thomas Jefferson University

• Martha Carper, Retired, University of Delaware & DuPont

• Nelson Houser, AATCC Board of Directors member

• Roland Connelly, RoLyn Group Color Consultants

• Ashley Handley, Senior Technical Services Specialist at UL Retail and Industry

• Alissa Baier-Lentz, Co-Founder and COO at Kintra Fibers

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.

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.

Meadow Grove Research joins ITMF as Corporate Member

Meadow Grove Research is a commodity research firm specializing in supply, demand, and trade analysis in cotton and other soft commodities. Providing clarity to the complex nature of the global fiber supply chain is one of its most formidable services. The firm thrives on customer engagement and providing the best framework for critical decisions.

Sustainability: European industry calls on EU to keep Single-Use Plastics Directive unchanged

A broad coalition of European industry associations, including EDANA, Euratex and Plastics Europe, has urged EU institutions to maintain the current legal framework of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). In a joint statement, the organisations argue that reopening the Directive at this stage would create legal uncertainty, increase regulatory complexity and undermine investment, while its implementation across the European Union is still incomplete.

Textile machinery: Italian technology charts the course for revival

Operating in a scenario characterized by geopolitical instability, slowing industrial investments, and new protectionist pressures. This is the main challenge for the Italian textile machinery industry that emerged during the General Assembly of ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers), held today in Milan at the Shareholders’ Hall of Palazzo Edison.

EU ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear now in force

The European Union's ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, clothing accessories and footwear has entered into force. Since July 19, 2026, large companies across the EU have been prohibited from destroying unsold textile products, while medium-sized companies will be required to comply with the same rules from 2030.

Eastman Naia™ brings its inside-out denim vision to Kingpins New York

Following its debut at Kingpins Amsterdam, Eastman Naia™ brings the next chapter of its denim story to Kingpins New York, taking place July 22–23. At Booth Green 7, Naia™ presents its denim proposition built around three complementary design directions: Performance Denim, Fashion Denim and Authentic Denim.