Swimwear project
UD's Sidoriak takes top honors in national textile design competition
10:55 a.m., July 9, 2014--Emma Sidoriak, a University of Delaware Honors Program student from Collegeville, Pennsylvania, who graduated in May with a double major in fashion and apparel design and economics, has won first place in a national design competition sponsored by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC).
The non-profit industry association provides test method development, quality control materials and professional networking for textile professionals throughout the world.
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The AATCC’s 10th annual Concept 2 Consumer design competition -- the first ever won by a UD representative – had as its theme “Boardwalk,” and asked students to showcase their talents in textile design by creating swimwear collections for 18-30 year olds.
Inspired by pencil shavings, Sidoriak’s Whittled Sands swimwear designs for women topped a field of 88 participants.
Her winning designs feature 100 percent polyester chiffon cover-up pants and one- and two-piece suit shells combining nylon, spandex and polyester fabrics, topped off with a 100 percent cotton canvas hat.
Colors range from whites and creams to medium gray, pink and reddish orange.
Sidoriak said participating in the Concept 2 Consumer competitions for the past two years has allowed her to measure her growth as a fashion designer.
“I feel more confident with my knowledge in textiles, my own designs and my skills on the computer,” Sidoriak said. “The competition was a great outlet to express my growth.”
Martha Carper, assistant professor of fashion and apparel studies, said the award recognizes Sidoriak’s creativity and initiative as part of an enlightened approach to fashion and apparel design in today’s world.
“Our goal in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies is to prepare the next generation of leaders in the apparel industry,” Carper said. “I am confident that Emma will be able to apply her UD education, along with her passion for sports, to help shape an industry that is more sustainable and socially responsible in the future.”
Besides winning the competition, membership in AATCC has afforded Sidoriak many opportunities, including a chance to accompany Carper on a visit the organization’s research center near Durham, North Carolina, to learn more about the textile industry.
During her undergraduate career at UD, Sidoriak helped form a UD student chapter of AATCC, and served as president.
“This was a great leadership experience,” Sidoriak said. “I think being an AATCC member will be beneficial in the future because the AATCC network sheds light on others in the industry with various backgrounds, yet with similar values to my own when it comes to the importance of textiles and responsibility.”
Sidoriak also said she hopes to combine her two majors and her love for running to pursue the goals she learned in a graduate certificate course in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business.
“I am a designer, economist and a long distance runner with the goal of making a positive difference in the fashion industry,” Sidoriak said. “I aspire to work for a company that is focused on promoting sustainability, social responsibility and a healthy lifestyle.”
Article by Jerry Rhodes