Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Textile Design Students Attend ITA Industry Tour
April 11,
2018 by Jane Chero in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry 
The ITA Educational Foundation hosted a three-day tour in February that gives textile design students an inside look at the textile industry from concept to consumer through visits to textile mills, design studios, upholstery manufacturers and printing facilities.
A group of 23 students and professors from schools across the country took part in the 22nd annual “Fabrics: From Concept to Consumer” educational tour. Participating companies included: Ambella Home, Bennettsville Printing, Brentwood Textiles, De Leo, Glen Raven, and STI.
Designers, plant managers, executives and production workers at these companies gave presentations to the students on designing, weaving, printing and dyeing fabrics, as well as on the manufacturing and marketing of fabrics and furniture.
Attending schools included: East Carolina University, Georgia State University, Jefferson, Kent State University, North Carolina State University and Savannah College of Art & Design.
Students also had an opportunity to participate in the “Future Talent Mixer” at the String & Splinter Club. The event included a review of student portfolios by industry professionals from companies such as Al Fresco Functional Fabrics, Ambella Home, Classical Elements, Crest Leather, David Rothschild Co., De Leo, Greenhouse Fabrics, Hamilton Fabrics, JLA Home, Merrimac Textile, P/Kaufmann, STI and Valdese Weavers.
“The ITA Industry Tours continue to be a phenomenal event for the Educational Foundation to expose the brightest students in the textile design field to our industry as whole,” said Todd Nifong, chair of the ITA Educational Foundation. “The feedback from students and the collaboration with industry members during the portfolio review and dinner clearly exhibited the students’ talent and created an atmosphere of excitement for the future of our industry.”
A key part of ITA’s mission is the growth and development of future industry leaders. ITA member companies recognize the need to attract fresh talent and promote the growth and development of students studying textiles around the world. From internships to mixers, these initiatives create opportunities for the long-term advancement of the industry through education and recruitment.
The foundation relies on the support and financial generosity of ITA members and industry leaders to fund these efforts. To make a donation to the foundation, please contact the ITA office at 336-885-6842 or info@internationaltextilealliance.org.