Four students who participated in a global design competition have been declared winners for their lines of innovative adaptive clothing for comfortable travelwear.
The WINNER: Mali Jean Borisch of Kendall College of Art and Design at Ferris State University (Michigan, US) secured top honours for ‘Seasons of Citrus’, a sustainable reversible multi-season travel line made out of orange fibre, geared towards women or non-binary individuals aged 25 to 50. The woven fibres wear similar to a silk or viscose textile, with natural wrinkle-resistant properties.
The Project: The orange fibre microencapsulates the natural oils in oranges. Vitamin A, C, and E and can be absorbed through contact with the fibre, creating clothing that is not only functional but functioning. The citrus product’s natural odour-resistance and antimicrobial properties add to the sustainability of the textile, extending the life of the oils by decreasing need for frequent washing. The garment flow is designed for ventilation and comfort while travelling.
These features allow individuals with physical handicaps easier access to adjust prosthetics or have an aid assisting them. The flow of the garments affects dressing, allowing clothing to slide on with less resistance and catching. The lack of forming-to-the-body allows for no-waste patterning as there are very few natural curves and angles required in creating the garment. A Fashion Studies major set to graduate in Fall 2023, Borisch said, “Designing for this competition has helped me understand how in-depth design should be. I plan to continue studying fashion with a strong emphasis on designing with sustainably and further learning about the textile sciences.” Among other things, Borisch was awarded US$1,000 from AATCC.
The Organisation: AATCC, headquartered in NC, USA, is a leading not-for-profit association serving textile professionals since 1921. AATCC provides test method development, quality control materials, and professional networking for members in about 50 countries throughout the world. Every year, students from all over the world participate in AATCC’s Concept 2 Consumer Student Design competition — a poster competition that allows students the opportunity to showcase their creative design and problem-solving skills in textile/apparel design. Each year there is a different theme and this year’s theme asked students to design a sustainable travelwear line that incorporated recycled materials, sustainable manufacturing, and antibacterial and/or odour-control properties.
The Others: The collection ‘Flow Adaptive’ by Sofia Morin of the University of Wisconsin-Stout was adjudged the second-place winner. Flow Adaptive is designed for any person of any gender who is looking for wheelchair adaptive clothing that is comfortable enough for travel, has a modern style, and unique designs. Morin said, “Through this competition, I learned about the importance of representation in fashion. Designing wheelchair adaptive clothing has given me a better perspective of the fashion industry as a whole and what changes need to be made to make it more inclusive. “I plan on graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with my BS in Apparel Design & Development and minor in Metals & Contemporary Art Jewelry. After graduation, I want to travel and continue my education in a fashion master’s programme.” Morin was awarded US$750 from AATCC.
