C2C Student Design & Merchandising Competition
Use your skills in creativity, design, and merchandising to win prizes.
2026 Competition is closed for entries! If you entered, keep an eye on your email as we complete the jury process. Results will be announced by June!
Prizes
First Place
- US$2000 Cash Prize from AATCC
- US$600 Cash Prize from Farhan Patel
- Color Atlas by Archroma® Mini Edition sponsored by Archroma
- Winners will also receive one year free AATCC Student Membership
Second Place
- US$1500 Cash Prize from AATCC
- US$400 Cash Prize from Farhan Patel
- Color Atlas by Archroma® Mini Edition sponsored by Archroma
- Winners will also receive one year free AATCC Student Membership
Third Place
- US$500 Cash Prize from AATCC
- US$200 Cash Prize from Farhan Patel
- Color Atlas by Archroma® Mini Edition sponsored by Archroma
- Winners will also receive one year free AATCC Student Membership
Overview
The C2C Design and Merchandising Student Competition asks students to create a unique apparel line and merchandising plan surrounding the annual theme.
The 2026 theme, “Multipurpose Performance”, invites students to design a versatile line of textiles that can adapt for use in multiple settings. Whether it’s a gym wear line that can be worn to the pool, office wear that performs for hiking, or eveningwear that converts to a public transportation-friendly outfit, students must to select a minimum of two use cases for their line and design and merchandise so that the performance meets the unique needs of their use cases/settings.
This theme and the multifunctional clothing the students produce directly challenges the industry wide sustainability issue of textile overconsumption, encouraging student design and merchandisers to create a line of textiles that can do more.
Competition Requirements
- Undergraduate or graduate students (US and international).
- Individuals or teams of up to three.
- AATCC Student Membership required for all individuals participating in competition
Educational Component
Each entry must address the questions as noted in the guidelines.
Students will be asked to verify their product claims through AATCC test methods, explaining how the methods chosen improve their argument and why testing is important to design, merchandising, and point of sale.
Professional development is an important part of education. Students will be asked to review AATCC Membership benefits and describe how one or more benefits will help their research or future career plans.
Virtual events will be held in winter of 2025 and spring of 2026 to boost student understanding of the theme topics. Students are required to attend at least one of these events to qualify for the competition. These webinars will be held by industry experts and be free to Student Members. Educators can contact Josie Cranfill for details.
Calendar of Competition Events
Missed the live sessions? Recordings are linked below and count for credit! Viewable via AATCC Communities which can be accessed with AATCC Member Login Credentials.
Fall Events
October 22, 2025: “Rising Professionals Interest Group Meeting: Future Proof Your Career – Career Fit & Career Planning”
December 15, 2025: “Chemical Applications Meeting: Innovations in Textile Biomaterials” (start through minute 36:51)
Spring Events
January 21, 2026: All About AATCC & Testing
Can’t make the events? All recordings can be found in on AATCC Communities in their respective Interest Group Communities. Student Members can use their AATCC website credentials to get access! Reach out to Josie Cranfill with questions or if you have issues accessing the recordings.
Are you an educator looking for recordings to share with your students? Email Josie Cranfill ([email protected]).
Publication Resources
- Antimicrobials-Unsung Heros
- Crocking Colorfastness Professional Care
- Delivering Sustainability
- Durability
- Fabric Lifecycle
- If the Environment is Important
- Natural Fibers
- Physical Testing
- Protecting Fabrics
- Shirt Story Marketing Sustainable Textiles
- Stainless Virtue
- Staying Alive
- Synthetic Fibers from Natural Sources
- Synthetic Fibers
- Water Water Everywhere
- Wool Fibers
- Writ in Water
AATCC Standards
- AATCC began developing test methods in 1921
- AATCC has developed more than 200 standards including test methods and evaluation procedures
- All current AATCC standards are published in the annual AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures
- See a list of all AATCC standards: Testing Methods
Why are AATCC Test Methods Important?
- Purchase contracts specify in detail how goods are to be tested
- In both domestic and international markets, acceptance and rejection of textiles are based on meeting performance standards
- Product specification should be considered as early as the design phase
What do AATCC Test Methods Provide?
- Numerical results based on measurements or visual scales
- Common language for comparing or approving textiles
- AATCC does not establish pass/fail criteria, but interested parties can determine their own criteria knowing that everyone is using the same scale
How are AATCC Test Methods Developed?
- AATCC Test Methods are developed by volunteers in all industry segments
- AATCC Research Committee Meetings allow industry experts to meet and collaborate
Sponsors
Archroma
Sustainable solutions for textiles, packaging, and beyond.
Farhan Patel
Senior Manager of Color at Alo Yoga, AATCC California Section Interim Chair.
Past Winners
