Each year, faculty from Colorado State University’s Department of Design and Merchandising participate in the International Textile and Apparel Conference to present a large range of research specialties, teaching pedagogies, and creative design scholarship. The ITAA Conference is the leading research conference for the apparel and merchandising field.
This year’s conference was held Nov. 20-23 in Baltimore, Maryland. The conference was held in Denver last year, with CSU faculty leading as the planning chairs.
Jennifer Ogle, notable faculty contributions in social research
Jennifer Paff Ogle, professor, has a long history of recognized research in the social/psychological aspects of dress. She won the ITAA Paper of Distinction Award this year for the 7th time.
Ogle, along with research collaborators Kelly Reddy-Best, Jennifer Harmon, Kristen Morris, Ashlie Johnson, and Piper Kittersong, won the award for the paper titled: An Interpretive Exploration of Positive Body Image Experiences Among Nonbinary, Gender Fluid, and Genderqueer Individuals.
Ogle’s long history of excellent research and collaboration also led to two additional recognitions at this year’s conference: an appreciation for dedicated service on the Clothing Textiles Research Journal Editorial Board and a recognition in appreciation for dedicated service on the ITAA Publications Policy Committee.
Recognition for excellence in teaching
CSU also brought home the 2023 Award for Innovation in Textile Instruction. The award was presented to Kristen Morris, associate professor, and Morgan Davis, a graduate student with an apparel and merchandising specialization, for their work, Assessing the Impact of an Adaptive Apparel Curriculum in Preparing Students to Develop Products for Diverse Markets – a Longitudinal Evaluation of Student Projects.
This work focused on a long-term analysis of the work outcome from the product development capstone students in the AM 475 course. As part of the senior capstone, students use technology from the 3D body scanner to take measurements from established target market consumers in the disability community. Students conduct in-depth market research and design clothing that is adaptable to the needs of their established market. They then apply all the product development skills learned throughout their time at CSU, such as 3D digital renderings, technical packages, costing sheets, and more.
Faculty creative research
ITAA is also an established space for presenting creative, design-based research. One faculty project was accepted to show at ITAA in this category. Lida Aflatoony, assistant professor, presented a shoe design titled, Beyond Functionality: Fashionable Adaptive Footwear for Individuals with Vision Impairment.
Aflatoony’s shoe design incorporates metal pins on the wing design of the shoe that spell messages in braille. Aflatoony has also been teaching CSU’s first shoe design course this semester, aligning teaching and research interests.
Aflatoony also presented research at the conference titled, Assessment of User Democratization in 2D to 3D Garment Assemblage.
Undergraduate student creative research
Two undergraduate students submitted work from their coursework at CSU which was accepted and on display during the conference. This was creative design work that implemented both a research/innovation component along with skill in pattern drafting and sewing.
Josh Penrod, advised by Morris, presented a jacket titled, Adaptive Windbreaker Jacket for Men with Lower Body Mobility Differences. Penrod graduated in 2023 with a concentration in product development.
Zach Walsh, advised by Morris, presented a coat titled, Atlas Coat – A Modified Chore Coat with Modular and Adaptive Features. Walsh graduated in 2023 with a concentration in product development and is now the 3D Raw Materials Coordinator at URBN (Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie Group, Free People and Nuuly).
The Department of Design and Merchandising is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
