Langhorne Carpet Company Weaves Rugs for Papal Visit and PhilaU Intern Helps!

From Langhorne Carpet Company's website is the following press release:

Philadelphia, PA (September 10, 2015) – The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015today announced that Langhorne Carpet Company is weaving and will donate three custom carpets to be used during the visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia on September 26 and 27. 
Under its long established ‘Carpets of Caring’ philanthropic program, the family-owned, 85-year-old Penndel, Bucks County-based textile company is weaving the Jacquard Wilton 100% organic wool carpets on its treasured Delaware County-manufactured “broad looms” for use during this historic occasion.Based on Langhorne’s original “Medallion of Hope” design, the 75’ x 9’ carpet will be rolled out and used during the Holy Father’s arrival and departure at Atlantic Aviation and the other two room accent carpets will be used inside the rectory of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.  Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in the Cathedral for the people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on September 26.
The Airport carpet, presented in Cardinal Red and Gothic Gold, features the decorative medallion border inspired by a section of the Cathedral Basilica’s stained glass windows. It requires nearly 191,000 yards of yarn (more than 100 miles) and will consist of more than one million individual woven loops. The carpets in the Cathedral rectory will feature the same signature medallion motif with the repeating six-inch diameter medallions.Langhorne’s in-house design team is led by company President William H. Morrow and includes Lead Designer Andrea Perlman and Design Assistant Lydia Whitford. Ms. Perlman is a 1977 graduate of Philadelphia University, from which Ms. Whitford will graduate in 2016.
 “We are honored to represent the greater Philadelphia region and the global wool textile community in weaving these distinctive, uplifting carpets for the Papal visit,” said Mr. William H. Morrow, President of Langhorne Carpet Company. “We greatly appreciate the opportunity presented by the World Meeting of Families and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to participate in this profoundly important event." 
Co-sponsored by the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the World Meeting of Families is a triennial global event that seeks to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society. This international gathering will welcome Pope Francis to the United States for the first time in his Papacy. Being held in the United States for the first time ever, the official theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families is “Love is OurMission: The Family Fully Alive.”.

See more from Langhorne Carpet Company at Langhorne Carpets

Lydia Whitford, a Philadelphia University student is currently interning at Langhorne Carpet Company and had the opportunity to work on this amazing project!

Here are some photos in anticipation of the Pope's visit.

Lydia Whitford and PhilaU alum Andrea Perlman working on "Medallion of Hope"

The Weaving Begins!

The creel of cones of yarn used in this carpet

The carpet coming off loom.

Finished "Medallion of Hope" Design. 

Red colorway of "Medallion of Hope" being rolled out.

Lydia Whitford and Andrea Perlman

Andrea Perlman discussing the beauty of the Medallion Design. 

A Study Abroad Experience: Donghua University, Shanghai China

Sam Fletcher did a short study abroad course at Donghua University in Shanghai. This is a photo essay of her time there!

Donghua University Campus

Donghua University Campus

Delicious dumpling lunch at Nanxiang ancient town

One of my favorite sweet treats in the campus cafeteria. Looks like a mozzarella stick but tasted like funnel cake!

We all worked in teams to design our own qipao. This is my team and I with our final design!

We visited a qipao shop in Shanghai, Leaves Fashion. Every garment is handmade by the finest silk in China.

A few of the girls tried on some of the Leaves fashion pieces. 

A textile find from the Shanghai Museum 

Another textile find from the Shanghai Muesum.

One more textile find from the Shanghai Muesum.

The beautiful Shanghai skyline at night.

Video of the jacquard card loom.

Beautiful sculptures at the Glass Museum

Beautiful sculptures at the Glass Museum

Beautiful sculptures at the Glass Museum

The beautiful Shanghai skyline at night.

Shanghai power station art museum

Shanghai power station art museum

The modern toilet restaurant!

The shopping malls in Shanghai were all so unique!

Some photos from the Shanghai Sculpture Space

Here are some shots from M50. We got to see some graffiti artists at work that day! 

The entire study abroad group on our final day!

Thank you so much Sam!

Tell Us About Your Internship, Kayla Jagusch

Kayla with two of her fellow interns at DKNY

Kayla took a moment to talk to us about her internship at DKNY this summer.

1.                  Where did you work and what type of textile products do they make/handle? 

This summer I worked as a design & sweaters intern for DKNY and DKNY Pure (Ready To Wear) in New York City. The company works with garments and accessories within the fashion industry.

2.                  Describe a typical day at your internship.

There really wasn’t a typical day at my internship this summer. Each day was so different from the next, which kept me on my toes. While working in the design department there would be some days where I would help the designers with print work development, fittings, and handle in/outgoing garments. While working in the sweater room my responsibilities shifted more towards knitting samples, handling spec sheets, and knit downs for production.

Kayla and two interns met Miss America (second from the right), while volunteering at the OCFR Super Saturday. This is an event in the Hamptons which donates all proceeds to ovarian cancer research foundations.

3.                  Is there something about the internship/industry/company that surprised you?

I think the only things that really surprised me were the great opportunities that this company has to offer. They are so excited for their interns to be hands on and grow within the company/fashion industry. DKNY was so open to teaching their interns about networking, teamwork interaction, building your resume, and creating an identity within the office.

4.                  How do you anticipate this internship experience impacting your work at PhilaU?

My overall experience at my internship will only impact my work at Philadelphia University in a positive way. I am so inspired to create new concepts and textiles that reflect my skills I have obtained. This internship has really set my goals high for school, work, and my future career decisions.  The impact of this internship has really made me curious and interested to learn more about the industry and what it has to offer. There is always room to grow as a designer, and this internship was the biggest and most rewarding stepping stone.  

Kayla and her sister, a current employee at DKNY, at the intern goodbye lunch. 

Thank you so much Kayla!