Charter High School of Architecture and Design Competition with Philadelphia University

Student work on the jacquard loom!

The Charter High School of Architecture and Design in Philadelphia collaborated with Philadelphia University to understand the value of design repeat. 

Students in Heather Durkee's junior classes participated in a competition to create designs in repeat inspired by the 1960s aesthetic. 

Five students works were chosen to be woven on the jacquard loom. 

Jacquard winners from left to right: Ranee Fowler, Wilson Reyes, Jhade Gales, Michael Harvey, and Raheem Williams.

Five students works were chosen to be digitally printed on the dyesub printer. A printing process used to print on synthetic fibers. 

Digital Print winners from left to right: Ara Carter, David Taylor, Stefon Jackson, Taylor Hall, and Sajou Saccou. 

The winning students also received a tour of the PhilaU textile studios and of Hayward Hall. 

A special congratulations to David Taylor on his special recognition from CHAD! He received the best in show honors at the biannual student show for his outstanding repeat pattern work, fashion illustrations, and graphic design work. 

It was a great experience for all and we cannot wait to see what amazing things these students create from their custom fabrics!

From left to right: Tara Capobianco, Ranee Fowler, Raheem Williams, Michael Harvey, Ara Carter, Sajou Saccou, Heather Durkee, and Wilson Reyes. Seated in front left to right: Stefon Jackson, David Taylor, Jhade Gales, and Taylor Hall.

Having fun with all the new fabrics!

Thank you so much to Marcia Weiss, Marcella Martin, Heather Durkee, Tara Capobianco and all of the wonderful students from CHAD.

December 9th, Textile Alumni Mary Sheaffer shows off at Holiday RAWk

Mary graduated in May of 2015 with a degree in textiles and is now working at Duralee Fabrics in Manhattan. She finds inspiration in travel, nature and music and never misses the opportunity to create!

Her work is visceral, colorful, and exciting! If you are in Philly looking for gifts or just wanting to see excellent art in the city...
A link to Mary's work for RAWk
Mary's PhilaU design portfolio
Wednesday, December 9th at 7:00PM tickets are $20 at the door and $15 presale. at the Trocadero Theater: 1003 Arch Street

Graduate Show Fall 2015 OPENS TONIGHT!

If you are ready to see amazing textile creations from print graduates: Andrea Mata, Lyndsay Bakich, Laura Benvenuto, and Jenn Biggs; knit masterpieces by Page St. Clair and collections of wonder from undergrads Brett Udovich and Lauren Malay?! Philadelphia University Paley Design Center is the place to make it happen.

The opening is tonight, Friday, December 4th from 4pm-8pm. If you are unable to attend this evening, the design center is open by appointment Monday-Friday 10am-4pm and the show installed until December 11th. Please email thedesigncenter@philau.edu

Nike Visit Inspires!

Jay Meschter, Vice President of Innovation Exploration, of Nike's innovation kitchen visited Philadelphia University today to speak about design and exploration. Providing case studies and speaking to students about successes and missed opportunities in innovation, Jay inspired students from architecture, engineering, industrial design, and textile design to think beyond the boundaries of their disciplines. The end of the fall term was the perfect time to re-ignite the students fire for making! We expect great collaborations between these groups as we move forward.

Nike as a brand is identifiable. It is edgy and irreverent.

Like a concert pianist playing with an oven mitt, if design is not crafted and pushed to meet the needs of its end user it is bulky and inefficient. Nike strives and pushes to make each application, fit like a glove. 

Sharing ways the team works to solve problems and create to meet the needs of the athletes they serve. Materials and their textile components are key to creating products that are successful. 

Each piece is meaningful. And cut and sew production is no longer the key to great design. Innovation in textile production, in no waste knit technology is at the forefront of the push for shoe engineering. 

Jay with Lyn Godley of Industrial Design and Marcia Weiss of Textile Design

Find out more about the innovation at Nike at NikeLab.com

Textile Design Immersion--New York City, Part III--Kravet!

On Friday November 20, 12 students spent the day in New York City touring Kravet Design Studios and Showrooms.  Textile Design undergraduate and graduate students, an international exchange Textile Design student and an Industrial Design graduate student enjoyed a full day with Scott Kravet, seeing the wonderful complexity of Kravet--from amazing textiles, to beautiful furniture and exciting accessories.  The day included expansive tours and discussions with the Kravet design and merchandising team, as well as an insider's look at the gorgeous showrooms in the D & D Building.  See the images below for a few highlights of the day. 

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Textile Design Immersion--New York City

Eight Textile Design, Industrial Design and Surface Imaging masters students participated in a Textile Design Immersion Day in New York City on Friday October 30.  Students enjoyed a great visit to Woolmark and to Material Connexion.  Woolmark is a company that promotes the use of fine Australian wool to the global marketplace.  Material Connexion is a materials resource library that holds a curated assortment of material innovation across a wide-range of disciplines.  See below some images from the Woolmark visit, where Angi Domsitz shared with students innovations in wool textiles.  It was a great, inspiring day in the city!

Kelly Cutrone and Carson Kressley Guest Speakers at Discover Fashion Day

On Tuesday, October 27, it was "standing room only" on campus for a presentation to prospective students and their families, current students and faculty for the Fall 2015 Discover Fashion Day.  This day brings together students interested in Textile Design, Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising for an overview of the programs and life at PhilaU.  Carson Kressley was the host for Kelly Cutrone's presentation.  They discussed a wide range of topics in the design and fashion industries.  Kelly noted that to be successful one needs to be "hardworking, tenacious, humble and curious" and that people with great lives are those that are "allowed to dream".   She stressed getting experience through internship opportunities and not letting fear hold you back.  Here are a couple images from Carson and Kelly's presentation.  It was a great day for everyone who was fortunate enough to attend.  Watch for future Discover Fashion Day opportunities.  There always are wonderful surprises!

Rowan College at Burlington County Students Explore Textile Design

On Friday October 23, thirteen students from Rowan College at Burlington County spent the day on campus exploring textile design.  Professor Lisa Steinberg brought her students to PhilaU to participate in digital printing, jacquard weaving and computerized knitting workshops, with PhilaU Textile Design students, faculty and staff.  Everyone had a great time, and made some wonderful textiles.  The day culminated with an exhibition and reception at The Design Center here on campus.  See the images below for a snapshot of the day.

Design Philadelphia Screen Printing Workshop

On October 10, 2015, the Textile Design programs hosted a Screen Printing Workshop as part of  Design Philadelphia.  A great group of ten participants created wonderful prints with the guidance of workshop leader Wendy Anderson.  In addition to individual pieces, attendees collaborated on multi-screen designs.  Please see the following images for some highlights of the day.