Showcasing the Future of Textiles: Student Innovation
at the Women in Textiles Summit 2025
As part of the 2025 Women in Textiles Summit held at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, undergraduate students from FIT’s Textile Development and Marketing Department took center stage during the Student Poster Presentations and PitchFest. Held on April 1, this event provided a dynamic platform for emerging textile innovators to present their research in areas ranging from sustainable materials to performance testing and textile science.
A total of twelve student research teams delivered compelling presentations, demonstrating both creativity and scientific rigor. Topics covered included:
-
- Fruit Waste Fabric Student: Isabella Estevez A sustainability-focused project that explores the development of textile materials using fruit waste as a raw input, addressing waste reduction and circular economy principles.
- Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Tights Knitted with Same Yarn Size
Students: Andie Zion, Bridget Carson, Emily Ydoate, Mürüvvet Tosunoğlu
A comparative analysis of the durability and performance of knitted tights, examining how consistent yarn sizing impacts structural properties.
- Performance Comparison of Silk and Man-Made Silks Students: Darla Linton, Esther Cho, Sohyanni Luke This study analyzed key differences in aesthetics, strength, and comfort between natural silk and its synthetic alternatives.
- Comparing the Water Repellency of Natural Oil, Wax, and Resin Coatings to PFAS Students: Ananda Metelina, Amanda Marsden, Fiona McBride Tackling the industry’s shift away from PFAS, this project tested alternative natural coatings for water repellency on fabrics.
- Anti-Microbial Properties of Natural Dyes Students: Alyssa Arena, Bera Etoz, Hazel Togman An exploration into how certain natural dyes may contribute to anti-microbial textile finishes, offering safer, more sustainable options.
- The UV Protection of Various Natural Dyes
Student: Danielle Early
Investigated how plant-based dyes can offer varying degrees of UV protection, contributing to functional and sustainable fabric applications. - Comparative Analysis of Flame Resistance: Chemical vs. Natural Finishing Methods Students: Daniella Sanchez, Pranav Narang, Halim Yang A performance-based study comparing the flame-retardant efficacy of synthetic versus natural textile finishing approaches.
- Comparing the Physical Properties of Genuine, Polyurethane, and Cactus Leather Students: Sarai Diaz, Jaiquan Dillard, Hasan Ates This research compared three popular leather alternatives, measuring durability, texture, and sustainability impact.
- Role of Mordants on Color Depth and Colorfastness of Cotton and Wool Dyed with Madder Root
Students: Madisyn Gudino, Sebnem Mutlubas, Su Ji
Focused on traditional dyeing methods, this project studied how different mordants affect dye uptake and wash durability on natural fibers. - Alginate Fibers for Sustainable Feminine Hygiene Applications Students: Aly Hartmann, Milla Lima, Genevieve Jones A visionary concept using seaweed-based fibers to produce biodegradable, absorbent feminine hygiene products.
- Development of Apparel Insulation with Textile Wastes Students: Ali Sayiner, Sasha Arefyev This project presented insulation materials created from post-consumer textile waste, highlighting potential for scalable reuse.
- Effect of Enzyme Washing on Denim Fabric
Students: Isabella Sloterdijk-James, Genesis Vargas Lantigua
Investigated the effects of enzymatic finishing on denim’s look, feel, and performance, promoting environmentally friendly processing.
About the Authors
Sean Cormier is the Chair of the Textile Development & Marketing Department, Associate Chair of Home Products Development, and an Associate Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).Michelle Grant is in the Textile Development and Marketing Department with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).