Design and Merchandising Newsletter
Fall 2023 Recap
The Design and Merchandising newsletter publishes twice per year, in January and June.
Dear Alumni and Friends,
Happy New Year to all!
I am excited to share that Colorado State University’s Department of Design and Merchandising is kicking off 2024 with wonderful news. After a two-year design and construction process, the renovation of our textile science laboratory and the creation of our new textile library is nearing completion, and we will be teaching in the new space this semester. Designed by our interior architecture and design students mentored by Assistant Professor Leah Scolere, the laboratory reflects our values of inclusivity and sustainability and will provide transformative learning experiences for students through expanded industry engagement.
Our latest facilities project is a donor-funded initiative to establish the Janet J. Else Education Center at the Avenir Museum, which also is a student-oriented design project mentored by instructor Lisa Switzer and Assistant Professor Leah Scolere. This center will allow for greater educational engagement with our Northern Colorado community partners.
Also, I am happy to share that the department received approval for a new academic concentration in the IAD Program, interior product and retailing, which will launch in Fall 2024. The aim of this new concentration is to provide a specialist career pathway for students interested in interior products, materials, textiles, and/or lighting design. Another exciting advancement to the apparel and merchandising curriculum in Fall 2023 was the successful implementation of our first-ever course in shoe design, taught by Assistant Professor Lida Aflatoony in association with the Colorado Shoe School.
Our faculty and students continue to achieve national and international recognition for their research and teaching scholarship. Jain Kwon, assistant professor in IAD, received the 2023-2024 College of Health and Human Sciences Tenure-Track Faculty Teaching Excellence Award. At the 2023 Annual Meeting of the International Textiles and Apparel Association, Professor Jennifer Ogle was recognized for excellence in scholarship for her positive body image research as well as for her dedicated service to the organization’s Publications Policy Committee and its Clothing and Textile Research Journal editorial board. In addition, Associate Professor Kristen Morris and graduate teaching assistant Morgan Davis, received an award for Innovation in Textile Instruction.
Chelsey Beardsley (2023 IAD graduate) received national recognition from the American Society of Interior Designers as the recipient of its Student of the Year award. In November, four AM students – Mitchell Olivieri, Mitchell Perez, Daisy Perez-Puente, and Zoe Hollowell – received National Retail Federation Bright Futures scholarships (25% of applicants received an award). In addition, Kate Cashen received an NRF Next Generations Scholarship, and Allison Pruitt received an NRF Rising Stars Scholarship. These students will join our NRF student ambassador, Donovan del Rosario, at the NRF Student Program conference in New York City in January. In December, six AM students – Samuel Gaston, Latifa Hirchi-Vogl, Cecilia Kastner, Mitchell Perez, Makayla Trapp, and Colby Zur – were named Fashion Scholarship Fund awardees by a panel of industry professionals. This group of students will participate in a celebration of the FSF Class of 2024 in New York City in April.
If you are in Fort Collins this spring, we hope you will visit the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising to view A Fancy Flourish: Mary Frances Handbags (Jan. 16-May 4), Inside Out: Structures and Secrets (Jan. 20-June 1), and Resist: Tie Dye Practices from Around the World (Feb. 13-July 30).
Best wishes to all of you for a happy and healthy 2024!
Kayna Hobbs-Murphy — Bringing inclusive apparel design to the forefront in the classroom
Kayna Hobbs-Murphy, assistant professor, applies her experience from working with a high fashion brand and her interests in creating more inclusive apparel to inspire students to think critically about the industry.
Heejin An Lim — Researching the impact of racial discrimination in retail
Heejin An Lim, assistant professor, is weaving topics such as the psychology of dress and ethics into her teaching. Her research focuses on the experiences of Asian and Asian American consumers in retail as well as brand storytelling.
David Russon — Connecting with students through a love for design and teaching
David Russon, and instructor in the department, is combining his experience as a patternmaker and his passion for teaching to connect with students in the classroom.
CSU’s Interior Architecture and Design Program accreditation renewed by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation
The Interior Architecture and Design Program received another six years of accreditation from the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). Not only has the Department of Design and Merchandising’s program received accreditation, but with all standards met, which is a significant accomplishment and speaks to the program’s rigor and quality.
New shoe design course at CSU gives design and merchandising students a running start
The Apparel and Merchandising Program has been a long-time leader in technical apparel development, textile science, 3D technologies, and digital pattern drafting. And in Fall 2023, the Department of Design and Merchandising offered a long-awaited course: shoe design. Assistant Professor Lida Aflatoony joined the product development faculty in Fall 2022, bringing with her an interest and background knowledge in shoe design.
CSU researcher turning hemp crop residue into cellulose nanocrystals for biomed use
Yan Vivian Li, associate professor in the department and core faculty in the School of Advanced Materials Discovery and the School of Biomedical Engineering is leading the research. Jesse Heacock, a graduate student in the School of Biomedical Engineering. Colorado’s Advanced Industries awarded a grant to develop cellulose nanocrystals to convert hemp agro-waste to high-value bioproducts.
Apparel and merchandising students and faculty bring home awards with research focused on diversity and inclusion
Each year, faculty from CSU’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.
CSU Design and Merchandising faculty member recognized at international conference for her research contributions on the social and psychological aspects of dress
Jennifer Paff Ogle, professor in CSU’s Department of Design and Merchandising, has been on the faculty at CSU for over 20 years and has contributed significantly to research attention to underserved populations, with particular social/psychological aspects of dress.
Sign Up to Judge Research Day
CHHS Research Day is an annual event created to showcase the variety and quality of research and creative scholarship by students, faculty, and staff in CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences. The annual CHHS Research Day will take place Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Lory Student Center Main Ballroom.
CSU alumni honored at American Society of Interior Designers GATHER conference
Chelsey Beardsley (interior architecture and design, ’23) and Mimi Luna Hillen (art and art history, ’74) distinguished themselves, Colorado State University, and the profession of interior design at this year’s American Society of Interior Designers GATHER conference.
Donor funds bring three apparel and merchandising alumni to CSU for Emerging Leaders Panel Discussion
The Apparel and Merchandising Emerging Leaders Panel Discussion returned for its third year on Thursday, Oct. 6. The event invites alumni back to the department to share their experiences in industry, career advice, and lessons learned from their time at Colorado State University.
Interior Architecture and Design students showcase work in a virtual show
Senior capstone projects are an annual highlight of the Interior Architecture and Design Program. The large-scale 60,000-100,000 sq. ft. projects represent research-based design.
CSU’s product development students host human-centered fashion show inclusive of all abilities
The students in CSU’s Product Development Program hosted their first fashion show this year, and it was unique in its human-centered inclusivity.
Interior architecture and design outstanding graduate creates growth opportunities out of hardship to earn degree
Karime Marrufo, outstanding graduate, has overcome unique struggles to complete her bachelor’s degree. During her time at CSU, Marrufo, a first-generation student studying interior architecture and design, participated and excelled in numerous organizations and research projects all while serving as a caregiver for her parent.
Outstanding apparel and merchandising student graduates with honors through many challenges and much hard work
Shaheen Ghamari, an outstanding graduate, has faced much adversity on his journey to reaching graduation, including the loss of his father during his final semester. Some of Ghamari’s final days as a CSU student have been spent sewing and constructing his apparel design collection which will be showcased in the May Design and Merchandising Fashion Show.
CHHS Summer Standouts: Natalie Valdes works to achieve life-long aspirations in fashion design with Paris internship
Natalie Valdes spent her summer interning at Chaussettes Orphelines, a fashion brand created by designer Márcia De Carvalho centered around recycling textile waste into artistic creations, learning the ropes of fashion promotion and refining her skills in sewing.
CSU student creating a new perspective in the apparel and merchandising industry with original clothing brand
For apparel and merchandising students at CSU, the skills learned in the program help prepare them for the careers ahead, giving them the knowledge for success. For student Tamar Smith, these skills are propelling his existing role as a young brand creator and owner.
First-generation student experience – Payton Gonzales, Department of Design and Merchandising
Payton Gonzales (B.S., ’20) is a first-generation student pursuing his master’s degree in the CSU Department of Design and Merchandising. Gonzales advises first-generation students to have a vision of their college path and the rest will follow.
Apparel and Merchandising Industry Expo helps students get a leg up in the industry
The department launched an event this year to help apparel and merchandising students get a head start on their careers. Representatives from 14 brands participated in the event, including well-known names like Crocs, Obermeyer, and URBN.
CSU’s interior architecture and design students travel to Denver for increased industry connections
The Interior Architecture and Design Program has a strong focus on industry connections and aligning students with careers after they graduate. The event introduced students to industry professionals.
CSU 2023 Tiny House is the result of big dreams
The CSU Tiny House class emerged from rising interest in affordable, efficient, and sustainable living options across Colorado. What started as a brainstorming session between CSU design students and a professor has become a two-time success.
Fashion FUNdamentals tailors confidence and skill in STEM and creative design
Fashion FUNdamentals, a summer enrichment program sponsored by the department, seeks to engage students in STEM through hands-on activities tied to fashion design and product development.
Meet Paula Alaszkiewicz!
Paula Alaszkiewicz, assistant professor in Colorado State University’s Department of Design and Merchandising and curator for the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising, speaks about her creative scholarship exploring structures, spaces, and practices of exhibiting fashion and historic textiles.
Engage with stories and network with your department on LinkedIn
Find your classmates and mentors, track the latest research, connect with future employers, and more on LinkedIn with the Department of Design and Merchandising!
