Friday, September 29, 2017

Textile Collage Workshop with Graduate Student Sivan @ FRIEDA on October 14th 2pm







FRIEDA for generations in Old City is having a Textile themed calendar of wonderful events and activities for Fall!
Including artist talks, workshops and movie screenings, one of our graduate students, Sivan, will be hosting a textile collage workshop there on October 14th at 2pm. 
 
More info and a full list of event here: http://bit.ly/2hzPTo5 

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Natural Dye Workshop Oct. 1st @ Weaver's Way Co-op








Textile​ ​Design​ ​Graduate​ ​Students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​leading​ ​a​ ​natural​ ​dyeing​ ​workshop​ ​on​ ​Sunday, 
October​ ​1​st​​ ​1:00PM-5:00PM​ ​at​ ​Weaver’s​ ​Way​ ​Co-op​ ​(542​ ​Carpenter​ ​Lane,​ ​Philadelphia,​ ​PA 
19119)​ ​in​ ​Mt.​ ​Airy,​ ​Philadelphia.​ ​

Weaver’s​ ​Way​ ​Co-op​ ​will​ ​provide​ ​local​ ​produce​ ​for​ ​an afternoon​ ​of​ ​easy,​ ​simple​ ​and​ ​fun​ ​natural​ ​textile​ ​dyeing. 

***Please​ ​bring​ ​any​ ​natural,​ ​white​ ​fabrics​ ​from​ ​home,​ ​or​ ​purchase​ ​cotton​ ​napkins​ ​directly 
from​ ​Weaver’s​ ​Way​ ​on​ ​the​ ​day​ ​of​ ​the​ ​workshop.​ ​We​ ​will​ ​be​ ​creating​ ​strong,​ ​natural​ ​color 
fabrics​ ​with​ ​avocados,​ ​turmeric,​ ​onion​ ​skins,​ ​black​ ​beans,​ ​beets,​ ​spinach​ ​and​ ​more. 
Additionally,​ ​the​ ​workshop​ ​will​ ​include​ ​Shibori​ ​dyeing​ ​materials​ ​if​ ​anyone​ ​would​ ​like​ ​to​ ​create 
patterns​ ​within​ ​their​ ​dyed​ ​fabrics. 

Join​ ​us​ ​in​ ​realizing​ ​the​ ​beautiful,​ ​sustainable​ ​possibilities​ ​with​ ​produce​ ​and​ ​textiles!

Monday, September 25, 2017

Student Alumna Spotlight: Lori Weitzner Design Team: Jess Thies


Get to Know the Lori Weitzner Design Team, Part 4: Jess Thies 








What do you do at Lori Weitzner Design?
I am the Studio Manager/Junior Designer. I manage the daily tasks in the studio as well as assist as much as I can with Textile, Wallcovering and the other projects we work on.
What did you go to school for?
I went to Philadelphia University for Textile Design, I loved it! My primary focus was print design. 
A sample of some of Jess' print design work from school.
How did you get started at Lori Weitzner Design?
I was lucky enough to have a connection to Lori through a lovely professor of mine, and about a month after meeting Lori, I found my way to her studio.
Favorite part of your job?
My favorite part is working on a variety of exciting projects, plus everyone is so welcoming and friendly!
Least favorite part of your job?
Although necessary, sending packages can be surprisingly complicated (especially the international ones).  
What's one thing you can’t live without?
I love spending time with my friends, and running. 
Favorite artists/designers?
Jenny Holzer  

What is a goal you have for yourself at the moment?
I want to become the best version of myself that I can, spend my time trying new things and acclimate to living in New York. 

Favorite movie?
Moulin Rouge
One piece of advice you can offer somebody who wants a job like yours?
Always put your best self forward and keep working towards your goals. You never know who you’ll meet or what kind of projects are going on; always be kind. 


Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Student Spotlight: Textile Design Graduate Student Soumya Mohanty and her Study Abroad Experience in China









Textile Design Graduate Student Soumya at Yu Yaan Gardens,  in Shanghai.


1. Why did you choose textile design?

I am a fashion designer from India, but I still I wanted to study more and build a base for my knowledge in the field of design. Textile being the mother of fashion, I thought adding textile knowledge was vital. Also my extensive travels within India and checking out the rich culture and textiles tempted me more to take up this course.

2. What aspect of Philadelphia university drew you in?

I applied to a couple of universities in the States, but most of them were more fine art driven. PhilaU on the other hand, had given me a detailed course which was a good blend between art/design and technology.

3. Where did you study abroad and how was your experience?

I went to Donghua University in Shanghai, China for a month. I found the experience very refreshing. It actually pushed me to move out of my comfort zone and explore a different city and a different university. The coursework was similar to what I am studying right now, but much different in delivery and approach.

4. How did you find out about the study abroad program?

I came to know about this course when I received a mail from Marcia, from the Philau textile design department, which tempted me to go further and research more about the possibilities related to this program.

5. What were some of the differences between your textile design experience at Philau and Donghua?

The textile design program at Donghua University, which is one of the best universities in Shanghai, was very elementary. It was majorly a sort of introduction to their culture and textiles. I can only add that the culture and art is very ancient in China compared to what I have learned about the history of American art. Hence one can say that their style of textile is so different due to heavy influence of art and history. However I find Philau's textile design so strong with the technology, and the program is a good blend of art, science, and textile.

6. What were some of the challenges that faced while your study is China?

Well I would say that the language barrier was definitely a good challenge. We were also taught Chinese, and it was a good learning experience for us to force ourselves to learn the language since otherwise a months stay would have been impossible due to all of our interactions with the locals. My second challenge was traveling and figuring out everything by myself. When I travelled previously to the States I knew a couple of people here, but when I went to China, I travelled alone and had to figure things out myself until I made friends in the second week.

7. What was the best part of the experience while studying abroad?

I think I felt the best part was being able to explore everything by myself. I was not only introduced to Chinese culture but also so many different people from different nationalities united by a single language of design. Knowing everyone's culture and design perspective was the most interesting part. Last, but not the least, exploring the city and the rich art and culture and the textile was so refreshing and inspiring.

8. What are your future goals after graduating from PhilaU?

I am graduating in December, and first I would really want to stay here for a couple of years to understand the design culture before I return back to my country to start my own label.

9. What would you wish to share with potential students coming into the program?

I think the program 's biggest strength is that it's flexible between inter stream and inter course. If one knows what they really want out this, one can definitely weave their own course structure to get the best out of this program.

10. If you had one word to describe the Textile design program at Philau what would that be?

Intense.

11. What were your expectations for the study abroad program?

This was my first experience where I had no clue what to expect. From how much I had researched about the program , I knew I would be visiting two new cities and studying textiles / fashion and a new language. The idea to participate in such a program was to make myself more aware about the world and its culture. China being very important part of the World culture and art, I feel privileged to go there and learn about so many different things.





Soumya's print designs from Donghua University


















Thursday, September 14, 2017

The International Textile Alliance Design Symposium




ITA Design Symposium: October 5-6, 2017

Thursday October 5, 2017
12:30pm: The Evolution of a Career in Textiles—Wesley Mancini; Wesley Mancini, Ltd.
2:30pm: Our Design Archives…Transforming Documents to Home Textiles for Interior
Designers —Scott Kravet; Kravet, Inc. 

3:45pm: International Textile Alliance/Young Textiles Professionals Panel Discussion
·       Todd Nifong; Al Fresco Functional Fabrics/ ITA Educational Foundation Chairman
·       Kelly Difoggio; JLA Home Fabrics/ ITA Vice President
·       Kathryn Richardson; Libeco /ITA Treasurer-Secretary
·       Trim Queen, Jana Platina Phipps; Classical Elements /ITA Publications Committee Chair
·       Wesley Mancini; Wesley Mancini Ltd./ ITA Educational Foundation Committee
·       Catherine Morsell; ITA Executive Director
·       Carrie Purgason; ITA Assistant Director
5:00pm: ITA Textile Design Collaborative Studio Naming Celebration and Networking
Reception


Friday October 6, 2017 (concurrent sessions)
                  9:00am: Performance Fabrics: Design, Applications and Standards—Todd Nifong; Al Fresco
                                    Functional Fabrics
9:00am: Flax: From Field to Fiber to Fabric—Kathryn Richardson; Libeco (note: this is a 1 hour
CEU)

10:00am: From Passamenterie to Trimmings: History, Manufacturing and Modern
Embellishment—Trim Queen, Jana Platina Phipps; Classical Elements/ITA Publications
Committee Chair
10:00am: Behind the Scenes at a High-End American Mill—Joy Alaoui; MTL

11:00am: Wool: Fiber to Fabric—Angela Domsitz; The Woolmark Company
11:00am: Understanding Coated Fabrics—Scott Warwick and Lindsey Josepayt; United Fabrics
                  and Tobe Fitterman, Spradling International



To Register: