ANITA RACINE
Senior Lecturer-Fashion Design Program
EDUCATION
Ph.D., 1996
Cornell University, Field of Education
Minors: Industrial & Labor Relations and Communication
M.A., 1970
University of Connecticut, School of Home Economics, Clothing, Textiles
& Related Arts. Concentration: Apparel Design
B.S., 1969
University of Connecticut, School of Home Economics, Clothing, Textiles,
& Related Arts. Minor: Sociology
EMPLOYMENT
1970-2014
Cornell University, College of Human Ecology, Department of Fiber
Science & Apparel Design (formerly Textiles & Apparel)
Director of Undergraduate Studies, FSAD (TXA) 1999-2003
Department Advising Coordinator, (DEA & TXA) 1980-1987
HONORS
Award- The Kendall S. Carpenter Memorial Advising Award-Spring 2014
Award- Lectra Technology- Innovation in Teaching Citation-Using Sonobond Ultrasonic Fusing
Technology for Fashion Design-The International Textiles & Apparel Association, Fall 2007
Award- SUNY Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence in Teaching, Spring, 2007
Award- Faculty Appreciation Award Recipient-The Interfraternity Council, the Multicultural Greek
Letter Council, and the Panhellenic Association, Nov. 2004
Award- College of Human Ecology Faculty Advising Award Recipient, Spring 2003
Faculty Fellow- The Textile/Clothing Technology Corporation [TC]2, Raleigh, NC, 1993
Award of Merit-Gamma Sigma Delta- Distinguished Teaching, Cornell, 1991
Award-Vanderbilt University, Joe Wyatt Challenge-Success Story in Educational Computing, 1991
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PUBLICATIONS
Racine, A. & Lewis, V. D. “The Barbara L. Kuhlman Scholars’ Fiber Arts & Wearable Arts
Exhibitions Retrospective: 2005-2012”. ISBN 978-1-32-062637-8, Spring 2015.
Racine, A. & Lewis, V. D. “Spotlight on Education-Apparel Design Program in the College of
Human Ecology”, Surface Design: Creative Explorations of Fibers and Fabric, Spring 2010.
Racine, A. “Digital Printing Technologies in the Classroom”, Journal of Textile & Apparel
Technology and Management, Vol 4, Issue 3, March 2005.
Racine, A. “Factors Affecting the Training of U.S. Apparel Industry Personnel: The Case of an
Interactive Teaching Factory”, 1996, Doctoral Dissertation, Cornell University.
Racine, A. “A New Frontier in Apparel Curriculum Development: Collaborative Computer Work
in Design”, ITAA Monograph #8- Computer Applications to Textiles & Apparel, 1996.
Racine, A. “Creative and Technical Instruction in Apparel Design Successfully Goes On-Line”,
Journal of Computing in Higher Education, Spring 1992, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp.86-98.
Racine, A. “Integration of Computer-Aided Design into an Apparel Design Curriculum”, Success
Stories of Information Technology in Higher Education: The Joe Wyatt Challenge, (Book Chapter),
1991. McGraw Hill, Inc.
JURIED PRESENTATIONS
Juried Presentation- “Creativity Beyond the Classroom: Interactions with a Fiber Arts Foundation”
with Van Dyk Lewis-Creative Teaching & Innovative Curriculum Section-International Textiles &
Apparel Association (ITAA). Nov. 2008, Schaumberg, IL.
Juried Presentation- “The Fashion Edge-Using Sonobond Fusing Technology for Fashion Design”,
Creative Teaching & Innovative Curriculum Section-International Textiles & Apparel Association
(ITAA). Nov. 2007, Los Angeles.
Juried Presentation-“Digital Textile Printing: Engineered Surface Pattern Designs”, Creative
Teaching & Innovative Curriculum Section- International Textile & Apparel Association (ITAA),
Nov. 2005, Washington, DC.
Juried Presentation- “Silk Scarf Sample Development with Expanded Technologies in the
Classroom”, at Creativity: Designer Meets Technology International Conference, May, 2004.
Philadelphia University.
UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
- Revised & Updated Apparel Design Curriculum with a Goal to Enrich & Expand the Studio
Components for Fashion & Apparel Design Students. Highlights Include Moving the Freshmen
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Apparel Design Studios Earlier in the Sequence, Developing a Team-Taught Fashion Collection
Course & Team Taught Senior Exhibition Course, with V. D. Lewis, 2010.
-Technology Initiative: Introduced and Taught Ultrasonic Surface Design & Fabric Joining
Techniques in the Sophomore Fashion Design Studio, 2007. (Cornell Was the First University in the
Nation to Integrate Sonobond Technologies in the Fashion Design Curriculum). From 2007 to
2011, the Juried Sophomore Design Student Sonobond Work Has Garnered International Recognition
from the Surface Design Association, and the International Textile & Apparel Association, the Lectra
Computer Company and Others.
-Introduced and Taught Digital Textile Printing With Original Print Designs on Full-Scale
Garments, Course TXA 114, 2004. Ongoing in FSAD 1140- Freshman Level Required Course.
-Updated Apparel Design Curriculum with Profs. S. Ashdown, and V. D. Lewis, 2002.
-Created “Product Development” Track in the Apparel/Textile Management Option with Profs.
S. Loker and P. Schwartz, 2000.
-Developed and Taught First Computer-Aided Apparel Design Course, with Prof. P. Miller, 1988.
(Cornell Was One of the First Universities in the Nation to Offer Computer-Aided Apparel Design
Courses, and to Integrate CAD Into the Undergraduate Studio Curriculum).
- Developed and Established the Apparel/Textile Management Option in TXA with Prof. K.
Obendorf, 1983.
- Transformed Former Textile & Clothing Courses in the College of Home Economics and
Developed and Taught Courses with a New Apparel Design Focus, with Apparel Design
Colleagues in Human Ecology, 1970.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2014- Book Draft (with V. D. Lewis) “Retrospective: Barbara L. Kuhlman Scholars’: 2005-2012
2011 NYC Summer (2 Months) Fashion Courses at Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons
New School for Design. Meet with Industry Professionals and Update My Technical
Knowledge to Enhance Apparel Design Teaching & Curriculum Development. Attended the
Fashion Group, Inc. & Other Industry Seminars.
Ongoing- NYC Museum Exhibits In Fashion, Art & Design- for Course Enhancements
2009-October-International Arts of Fashion Symposium, Philadelphia, PA
2009-May-International Surface Design Association Conference, Kansas City, MO
2008-September- YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund Conference- YMA Board of Governors and
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Educators Share Ideas About Managing the Scholarship Programs & Mentoring Students.
2007-June- International Surface Design Association Conference, Kansas City, MO
2007-June- AATCC- Computer-Integrated Textile Design Association (CITDA) Conference, NYC
2006- June- AATCC Industry Innovations CITD CAD/CAM Conference, West Chester, PA
2006- March- “The Art of the Stitch”- New Techniques in Fabric/Fashion Design- Victoria &
Albert Museum, London
STUDENT MENTORING- GRANTS & COMPETITIONS
Long-Standing Faculty Advisor to the Cornell Fashion Collective (formerly Cornell Design
League). Students Produce an Annual Runway Fashion Show to the Public each Spring (with Van
Dyk Lewis).
2006- 2011-Assist Students with Grant Proposals for the HE Alumni Office Special Projects Grants.
1999-2010- Independent Special Student Projects in Design, to Assist Students Preparing Portfolio
Work and Submissions for Cornell Council of Arts (CCA) Yearly Grants.
Mentored Emily Parkinson, Juried Art Exhibition, London International Artists Competition, With
Work from the Barbara L. Kuhlman Fiber Arts Exhibition, Spring 2011 (with Van Dyk Lewis).
Mentored Heber Sanchez-Awarded Honorable Mention-Juried Art Exhibition, London International
Artists Competition- With Work from the Barbara L. Kuhlman, Inc. Fiber Arts Exhibition, Spring
2010, (with Van Dyk Lewis).
AATCC-CONCEPT TO CONSUMER- JURIED DIGITAL TEXTILE PRINT
COMPETITION WINNERS (FSAD Designers Won 3 Top Awards in the Past 6 Years)
Mentored Freshman Courtney FitzPatrick-1st Place Prize of $1,000-Digital Textile Design
Competition-With Designs from My FSAD 1140-CAD Course. American Association of Textile
Chemists & Colorists (AATCC) Concept to Consumer, May 2010.
Mentored Freshman Anuradha Lingala-One of 5 Finalists-Digital Textile Design Competition- With
Designs From My FSAD 1140 Course. American Association of Textile Chemists & Colorists,
(AATCC) Concept to Consumer, May 2010.
Mentored Freshman Allie Thielens Who Won The 1st Place Prize of $1,000 in the International
AATCC –Concept to Consumer Group for her Original Digital Print Designs, Completed In My
FSAD 1140 Class, May 2008.
Mentored Colleen Keller, Sophomore, First Place $1,000 Prize Winner Original Digital Textile
Product Children’s Wear Design- ATCC-Concept to Consumer Group, May 2006.
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Mentored Team Members Kathleen Dombek, Grad Student and Kristen Modra, Junior One of the 5
Finalists in the Digital Textile Product Children’s Wear Competition for AATCC, May 200.
BARBARA L. KULHMAN, INC. FIBER ART & WEARABLE ART SCHOLARSHIPS
Fall 2015-Mentored Eight Barbara L. Kuhlman, Inc. Fiber Arts & Wearable Arts Scholarship
Students in Preparation for the 10th Annual Exhibition in the Jill Stuart Gallery SeptemberNovember, (with Van Dyk Lewis)
Fall 2014-Mentored Seven Barbara L. Kuhlman, Inc. Fiber Arts & Wearable Arts Scholarship
Students in Preparation for the 9th Annual Exhibition in the Jill Stuart Gallery
September-November, (with Van Dyk Lewis)
Fall 2013-Mentored Seven Barbara L. Kuhlman, Inc. Fiber Arts & Wearable Arts Scholarship
Students in Preparation for the 8th Annual Exhibition in the Jill Stuart Gallery, SeptemberNovember (with Van Dyk Lewis)
Fall 2012- Mentored Eight Barbara L. Kuhlman, Inc. Fiber Arts & Wearable Arts Scholarship
Students in Preparation for the 7th Annual Exhibition in the Jill Stuart Gallery SeptemberNovember, (with Van Dyk Lewis)
Spring-Summer 2011- Mentored Eight Barbara L. Kulhman, Inc. Fiber Arts & Wearable Arts
Scholarship Students for the 6th Annual Exhibition in the new Human Ecology Building,
September-October 2011, (with Van Dyk Lewis)
December 2009, Mentored Six Scholarship Recipients for the Barbara L. Kuhlman, Inc. Fiber Arts
Scholarships With Public Exhibition of Fiber Art and Wearable Art in Mann Library, SeptemberOctober 2010, (with Van Dyk Lewis)
December 2008- Mentored Eight Scholarship Recipients for the Annual Fiber Arts/Wearable Art
Exhibition at Mann Library, September-October 2009, (with Van Dyk Lewis)
December 2007- Mentored Twelve Scholarship Recipients for the Fiber Arts/Wearable Arts Annual
Exhibition in the MVR Gallery, September-October 2008, (with Van Dyk Lewis)
December 2006- Mentored Twelve Scholarship Recipients for the Fiber Arts/Wearable Arts Annual
Exhibition in the MVR Gallery, September-October 2007, (with Van Dyk Lewis)
December 2005- Mentored Nine Scholarship Recipients for the First Fiber Arts/Wearable Arts
Exhibition in the MVR Gallery, September-October 2006, (with Van Dyk Lewis)
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GEOFFREY BEENE NATIONAL FASHION JURIED SCHOLARSHIPS
Mentored Senior Eric Beaudette-Geoffrey Beene National Fashion Design Scholarship Competition
Awarded One of the Top Four $30,000 Scholarships for His Case Study and Fashion Designs.
NYC December 2015
Mentored Senior Blake Uretsky-Geoffrey Beene National Fashion Design Scholarship Competition
Awarded One of the Top Four $30,000 Scholarships for Her Case Study and Fashion Designs,
NYC December 2014 (with Van Dyk Lewis)
Mentored Senior Justine Lee-Geoffrey Beene National Fashion Design Scholarship Competition
Awarded One of the Top Four $30,000 Scholarships for Her Case Study and Fashion Designs,
NYC December 2013 (with Van Dyk Lewis)
Mentored Senior Lulu Mu-Geoffrey Beene National Fashion Design Scholarship Competition,
December 2012 (with Van Dyk Lewis)
Mentored Senior John Sohn-Geoffrey Beene National Fashion Design Scholarship Competition,
John Awarded One of the Top Four $25,000 Scholarships for His Case Study and Fashion
Designs, NYC December 2010. (with Van Dyk Lewis)
Mentored Senior Laura Kung, Geoffrey Beene National Fashion Design Scholarship Competition,
NYC, Dec. 2009 (with Van Dyk Lewis).
Mentored Senior Heber Sanchez , Geoffrey Beene National Fashion Design Scholarship. Awarded
One of the 4 Top $25,000 Scholarships For His Case Study and Innovative Men’s Wear Designs,
NYC January 2008, (with Van Dyk Lewis)
Mentored Senior Gizelle Begler, Geoffrey Beene National Fashion Design Scholarship
Competition, NYC , December 2007 (With Van Dyk Lewis)
INTERNATIONAL ARTS OF FASHION JURIED COMPETITIONS
Mentored Junior Katherine Elks- Arts of Fashion Competition Submission, April 2011 (with Van
Dyk Lewis).
Mentored Senior John Sohn-Arts of Fashion Competition as a Finalist, San Francisco, December
2010 (with Van Dyk Lewis).
Mentored Sophomore Maxwell Gengos as a Finalist in the Arts of Fashion Runway Competition,
Oct. 2009, Philadelphia. (with Van Dyk Lewis).
Mentored Junior Roxanne Weippert as a Finalist in the Arts of Fashion Runway Competition, with
Work From the Barbara L. Kuhlman Fiber Arts Exhibition, Oct. 2007 (with Van Dyk Lewis).
INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE & APPAREL ASSOCIATION JURIED COMPETITIONS
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Mentored Sophomores Katherine Elks and Amelia Brown-Finalists and Participants in the Juried
Runway Competition with Sonobond Designs from My FSAD 2650 Course. The International
Textile & Apparel Association (ITAA), November 2010.
Mentored Jessie Fair With Kuhlman Exhibition Work Later Submitted to the Juried ITAA
Exhibition for Outstanding Fiber Arts Work. Jessie Was The Winner of the ITAA Eden Travel
Award, Including an Internship in London with Fabric Designer Zandra Rhodes, 2007. (with Van
Dyk Lewis)
Juried Runway Presentation-Sonobond Design Work of 2 Students in My FSAD 2650-Apparel
Patternmaking for Fashion Design, (ITAA) Nov. 2010, Montreal
Juried Runway Presentation- Sonobond Design Work of 2 Students in My FSAD 2650-Apparel
Patternmaking for Fashion Design, and 1 Student in FSAD 1450-Introduction to Apparel Design.
October, 2009 Seattle, WA.
Juried Runway Presentation-Sonobond Design Work of 3 Students in My FSAD 2650-Apparel
Patternmaking for Fashion Design, Nov. 2008, Schaumberg, IL.
Juried Runway Presentation- Sonobond Design Work of 3 Students in My FS&AD 265- Apparel
Patternmaking for ITAA International Meeting, Nov. 2007, Los Angeles.
Heber Sanchez Won the Outstanding Patternmaking Award, ITAA International Meeting, Nov.
2007, Los Angeles.
Juried Runway Presentation- Design Work of 2 Students in My TXA 265- Apparel Patternmaking
ITAA International Meeting, Nov. 2004 Portland, OR.
INTERNATIONAL SURFACE DESIGN ASSOCIATION JURIED EXHIBITIONS &
SHOWS
Mentored Emily Parkinson, Juried International Surface Design Student Exhibition, in FSAD 2650Apparel Patternmaking for Fashion Design with Sonobond Ultrasonics, Minneapolis, April-June
2011.
Mentored Maylian Luo, Juried International Surface Design Runway Show, with Work from the
Barbara L. Kuhlman Fiber Arts Exhibition, Minneapolis June 2011 (with Van Dyk Lewis).
Mentored Jennifer Wu -Top Student Prize Winner-The International Surface Design Association,
With Work From the Barbara L. Kuhlman, Inc. Fiber Arts Exhibition, St. Louis, May 2009, (with
Van Dyk Lewis).
Mentored Jessie Fair, Nicole Castelli, The International Surface Design Association Juried Student
Exhibition With Work From the Barbara L. Kuhlman, Inc. Fiber Arts Exhibition, St. Louis May
2009, (with Van Dyk Lewis).
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Mentored Marissa Markowitz, The International Surface Design Association Student Exhibition,
Work from the Barbara L. Kuhlman Exhibition, St. Louis May 2007 (with Van Dyk Lewis).
LONDON INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE COMPETITION
2011- Mentored Emily Parkinson- Honorable Mention (with Van Dyk Lewis)-For Her Kuhlman
Exhibition Fiber Arts Sculpture.
2010- Mentored Heber Sanchez- Honorable Mention (with Van Dyk Lewis)-For His Kuhlman
Exhibition Fiber Arts Design.
PENDLETON/CORNELL SCHOLARSHIP TEAM
Mentored The Pendleton Scholarship Team of Designers & Management Students in Developing
Their 3rd Annual Young Men’s Fashion Line for the 27th Cornell Fashion Collective Show, April
16, 2011 (with V.D. Lewis, & S. Ashdown-Technical Consultant)
Mentored Pendleton ‘Feedbak’ Cross-College Group of Apparel Design & Business Students Who
Created Their 2nd Line of Menswear for the 26th Cornell Design League Runway Show in March
2010. (with Van Dyk Lewis & S. Ashdown-Technical Consultant).
Faculty Advisor to ‘FEEDBAK’ Group Undergraduate AEM Business Students Working With
Apparel Design Students on a Design and Marketing Feasibility Project to Update and Create a
Pendleton Woolen Mills Young Menswear Line. The ‘FEEDBAK’ Group Presented Their First
Line At the 25th Anniversary Runway Show on April 4, 2009. (with Van Dyk Lewis &
S. Ashdown-Technical Consultant).
SPECTRA ELEGANCE LIGHTED DESIGNS--NATIONAL JURIED COMPETITION
FSAD Students Won First, Second, and Third Place and Two Honorable Mentions in this Design
Competition.
Spring Term 2011- Mentored--7 FSAD Students (with V.D. Lewis & A. Netravali- Fiber
Consultant).
The Spectra Elegance Company in Troy, Michigan Contacted Us Because of Our Experience With
Sonobond Technology For Fashion Design, and Asked Us To Experiment With Sonobonding on
Luminex Optical Fabrics. With the Spectra Company, I Developed a National Design Competition
to Have Student Designers Gain Experience with Spectra Luminex Technology.
Cornell Student Designers were the First in the World To Present Their Designs on the Runway
with the Newly-Patented ‘Spectra Spree”-Luminex Optical Fiber Kits at the Cornell Fashion
Collective Runway Show April, 2011.
YMA- FASHION SCHOLARSHIP FUND-NYC
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Mentored Seniors Maylian Luo, and Jaclyn Foster, and Junior Maxwell Gengos for Their YMA
Fashion Scholarship Fund Case Studies Maylian and Jaclyn Were Each Awarded $5,000
Scholarships, October 2010, (with Van Dyk Lewis).
Mentored Maylian Luo, Laura Kung, and John Sohn for Case Study Development and Fashion
Designs. Each Were Awarded $5,000 Scholarships, January 2009, (with Van Dyk Lewis).
Mentored Nicole Castelli, Jeanne Douglas, Laura Kung & John Sohn for Case Study & Fashion
Design Development. Laura Kung and John Sohn Were Each Awarded $5,000. Scholarships,
January 2008, (with Van Dyk Lewis).
Mentored Gizelle Begler Who was Awarded the $5,000 YMA- Fashion Scholarship, and a Paid
NYC Internship at Tommy Hilfiger. Gizelle Begler was the First YMA ScholarshipAward
Recipient from Cornell, January 2007, (with Van Dyk Lewis).
UNDERGRADUATE RECRUITMENT
-2009- 2011- Recruitment Films for HE Website- 5- FSAD Design Students, (with V.D. Lewis)
-2009- Developed & Update Visual Folders for Prospective Students & Parents, Highlighting
FSAD Students & Faculty Appearing In the News & Media.
-2008- Flicker Slide Presentation for the HE Website- Cornell Design League
- 2005-2009- Photographed & Edited Student Work to Update HE-FSAD Website
- 1999-2011-Coordinated and Installed Student Exhibit Work in MVR Showcases
- 2004-2007- Human Ecology Admissions Committee
- 1997-2004- Cornell’s Summer College Program for High School Students
Taught TXA 114- Intro to Computer-Aided Design- To Recruit High-Achieving,
Design-Oriented Students to FSAD. This Was a Very Successful Effort That Brought
Positive Attention to Our Programs. By 2002, FSAD Undergraduate Enrollment Had Grown
From 70 to 135+ Students.
ABSTRACT-MANUSCRIPT-BOOK REVIEWER
1996-2009 Yearly Conference Reviews, Innovative Curriculum & Teaching Abstracts for the
International Textile & Apparel Association (ITAA) Conferences
- Textile Design, September 2006, Laurence King Publishing, London
- Digital Textile Design, October 2005, Laurence King Publishing, London
- AutoCAD for the Apparel Industry, 2nd Ed. April, 2005, Fairchild Publishers
- Digital Designing with Photoshop and Illustrator, Dec. 2004, Fairchild Publishers
- Fitting and Alteration Techniques, Oct. 2004, Fairchild Publishers
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- Make it Fit, April 2004, Fairchild Publishers
- From Pencil to Pen Tool: Creating the Digital Fashion Image, August 2003, Fairchild
Publishers
- Pattern Alterations and Sizing, May 2003, Fairchild Publishers
- A Guide to Computer-Aided Fashion Design, August 2001, Fairchild Publishers
- A Guide to Size Specifications and Technical Design, April 2001& 2003 Fairchild Publishers
- Flats and Specifications Manual, January 2000, Fairchild Publishers
- Computer-Aided Design, August 1999, Fairchild Publishers
COLLEGE COMMITTEES
2015 NYC Fashion Masters Planning Committee
2014-NYC Fashion Masters Planning Committee
2012-2014 Human Ecology Committee on Academic Status of Students (CAS)
1997-2011 Active Member- Human Ecology CAD Faculty Governance Committee for Improving
Computer-Aided Design Instruction.
2010- NYC Alumni Networking Panel & Dinner With the HE Alumi Office, Oct. 2010
2009- The 25th Silver Anniversary Celebration of the Cornell Design League. I Worked With the
HE Alumni Office to Plan Cocktail Party and Alumi Networking Breakfast.
2008-2009 The Chancellor’s Award Selection Committee.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Association of Textile Chemists & Colorists (AATCC)
Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society
International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA)
Surface Design Association (SDA)
The Fashion Group International, Inc (FGI)
1/30/12
SUMMER 2011- 5 YEAR REVIEW EXCERPTS
COURSES TAUGHT
FSAD 1140 - Introduction to Computer-Aided Design
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FSAD 1450 - Introduction to Apparel Design
FSAD 2650 - Patternmaking for Fashion Design
FSAD 3690 - Style, Fashion, and the Apparel Industry
FSAD 4000- Fashion Design Collections (Team Taught)
FSAD 4010- Special Studies in Fashion Design, Digital Textile Printing, & Fiber Arts
UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING
The focus of my teaching involves traditional and computer methods of studio instruction in apparel
design to help students develop excellent design portfolios, essential for acquiring internships and
permanent positions in the industry. I incorporate digital textile design and printing with team-based
computer projects to help students become proficient problem-solvers with electronic technologies.
The evolution of American styles and fashions and changes in the U.S. apparel industry are other
important teaching areas.
STEPS TO IMPROVE UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING & ENHANCE STUDENT
CREATIVITY IN APPAREL DESIGN
CURRICULUM & TEACHING GOALS
Striving to have our program recognized as the best in the field of apparel design has always been
my driving motivation in curriculum development and program delivery in the college. In
the new Human Ecology building, my ambition is to broaden the teaching program by offering a
new educational experience "Digital Fashion Design" that will integrate design experimentation and
innovation in three main areas: Digital textile design and fabric printing combined with Sonobond
technology in tandem with Laser design and cutting. This multi-faceted design
experience will compel students to stretch far beyond traditional methods of creating fashion with
innovative styling by developing original fabrics and new garment structures. Adding this
innovative technological package to our curriculum will certainly move our fashion design program
forward. This course will be appropriate for Masters of Professional Studies Students in our
Department, who want to update their and expand their skills.
MAJOR CURRICULUM REVISIONS-OPTION I-APPAREL DESIGN
Beginning in fall of 2009, I met regularly with Van Dyk Lewis to discuss the apparel
design curriculum requirements and ways to improve design education in FSAD. The apparel
design curriculum was badly out of date with no substantive changes made since 2002. Our course
offerings and sequencing did not measure up to competing fashion design programs.
One important update was to have apparel design majors begin the core of the design
sequence upon arrival in the fall and offer 1450 Intro to Fashion Design and 1170 Fashion Graphics
courses in the first semester. Further, the two upper-level experiences that were seriously lacking in
the program were a team-taught Studio Collections course, and a Senior Exhibition course. These
curriculum changes were made in 2010 and were a sound decision. After a very successful 2010 fall
semester with 1170 Fashion Graphics and 1450 Intro to Fashion Design, the quality and output of
student work is excellent, and well-prepared students are ready to move forward in the
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design sequence. However, the new team-taught Collections course, with an objective of improving
students' design focus and output in a multi-faculty studio was not achieved due to
overlapping teaching schedules that did not allow for a full team experience for faculty or students.
Outcomes:
The new changes that took place in 2010, both at the freshmen and upper levels will make our
fashion design program much stronger and more attractive to potential applicants. When the upperlevel courses are underway, and outstanding student design work is highlighted for the public and
press to view, we should be in a much more favorable position to attract top-notch design students
who are serious about pursuing careers in the field. It goes without saying that an outstanding
undergraduate program will positively influence the recruitment and quality of the apparel graduate
program.
PUBLIC RELATIONS & RECRUITMENT
With four outstanding FSAD student designs in a juried gallery display at the 2009 International
Surface Design Conference, one of which was Jennifer Wu the top prize winner, the editor of the
‘Surface Design’ Journal approached me and asked if we would be willing to write an
article about our design program to be featured in an upcoming issue. In the ‘Surface Design
Journal’, Spring 2010 "Spotlight on Education-The Apparel Design Program at Cornell
University" Van Dyk Lewis and I developed a visual recruitment piece to highlight our design
program. In addition to an international journal audience, copies of the article were distributed to
our alumni at the NYC networking event in October 2010, and to faculty and graduate students at
the 2010 International Textile and Apparel Association Conference in Montreal in November. We
will use this article as a basic template and add new outstanding student design visuals and new
program information for recruitment purposes.
Outcomes:
New affiliations, beyond the traditional ITAA avenues, help to disseminate the good news about the
talented students and programs in FSAD, a crucial strategy for future growth.
ONGOING INITIATIVES TO ELEVATE THE QUALITY & OUTPUT OF FASHION
DESIGN WORK IN FSAD:
For 2010-11, the Barbara L. Kuhlman Foundation, Inc. supported 8 FSAD undergraduate scholars.
Van Dyk Lewis and I serve as design directors for this program and mentor the
scholarship recipients through the spring term and summer as they prepare for the 6th Annual
Kuhlman Fiber & Wearable Arts Exhibition for the public which opened on Monday September 19,
2011 in the new HEB Gallery.
Outcomes:
New educational horizons have been reached through this scholarship program, now entering its 6th
year with art & design work that excellent. The scholarship process, from proposal writing to the
public show, encourages a broadening of students' creative expression in fiber arts/wearable art, and
exhibition design; new areas which did not previously exist in our undergraduate program. The
brand new Barbara L. Kuhlman Foundation, Inc. website highlights the work of FSAD students.
ONGOING INITIATIVES TO INCREASE THE VISIBILITY OF THE FSAD FASHION
DESIGN PROGRAM THROUGH THE YMA FASHION SCHOLARSHIP FUND & THE
GEOFFREY BEENE FASHION SCHOLARSHIP & INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS:
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To add to our total of 7 YMA scholars to date, two senior students, Maylian Luo and Jaclyn
Foster were selected in 2010 to each earn $5,000 scholarships. Van Dyk Lewis and
I mentor undergraduate YMA scholars throughout the summer and fall as they prepare their case
study projects and design work that is judged by top NYC fashion industry executives. Senior John
Sohn, competed for the Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship in fall 2010, and won one of the four
$25,000 awards; our second top winner from FSAD in three years.
Outcomes:
Industry professions develop the case studies for the competitions and address the pressing
issues and stressors that fashion businesses are facing today. For the scholarship competitions,
our high-achieving students in fashion design and fashion design management are selected.
They must present well-researched and convincing case studies with a focus on creativity and
innovation. Competition for prize money is keen. Not every student who submits receives funding.
FSAD has been involved with both the YMA and Beene Scholarship Programs for 4 years,
and these are giving our most dynamic students special opportunities outside of the classroom to do
research and design strictly with an industry focus, and to be amply recognized and rewarded for
their creativity and perceptiveness. As our students earn fashion industry recognition, current
majors have become very aware that Cornell's design program is very special and as viable as that
of Parsons, FIT and other design school competitors.
CONNECTIONS WITH FASHION INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS THROUGH
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
Our YMA and Geoffrey Beene industry mentors Bob Caplan, and Harry Harrison not
only advise our scholarship students and help them find internships and permanent positions after
graduation, but they keep faculty updated about the major changes occurring in the fashion industry,
which is reflected in our courses and curriculum. Exchanges with industry leaders are a dynamic
process for all of us. From the Cornell educators, fashion industry professionals glean new
ideas to enhance their scholarship programs, as well as learning teaching strategies for their adjunct
teaching positions at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons New School for Design.
Outcomes:
A fashion design program at Cornell is no longer an anomaly to NYC fashion executives in-theknow. In the last few years we have begun to garner praise and recognition from industry
leaders for what we have done well for decades; educate top-notch undergraduate students for the
field.
DESIGN COMPETITIONS
A substantial amount of student learning takes place outside of the classroom. We have had
excellent results in mentoring students for design competitions and helping them acquire art
and fashion design scholarships. Widening competition options for our students is an ongoing goal
to raise the level of undergraduate student design work, and to bring international visibility for our
undergraduate program in design. Those who are intimately involved in undergraduate design
competitions realize the enormity of faculty time commitments required to guide students through
the multi-step processes, because of the one-on-one nature of the competition work. Nevertheless, I
consider this to be a significant part of my teaching and advising functions and will continue these
mentoring activities in the future.
Outcomes:
Through mentoring students in international and national design competitions and witnessing their
successes, we have significantly raised the bar for design excellence in our studio classes. Many
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students are enthusiastically embracing the challenges to reach higher goals in design.
ADVISOR-STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Serving as a faculty advisor to several student organizations keeps me in close proximity
with undergraduates and provides keen insights to understanding their educational needs in and out
of the classroom, as they prepare for the world of work. In the case of the Cornell Pendleton
Scholarship Team, the cross-college flow of ideas for designing within a team structure, our fashion
design and management students are learning important strategies from AEM business students, and
the reverse. In the year-long process of working in close proximity with department fashion
designers, our Option II students are learning first-hand the meaning of the term 'fashion design
management'.
Outcomes:
Our faculty and resources are limited for a small department, and while the study of men's wear in
specific courses a goal for the future, it is currently not feasible to develop and offer stand alone
menswear design courses in the curriculum. The Pendleton Team Scholarship (formerly
Feedbak) program, now in its 4th year, ideally suits the needs of students who wish to expand into
the the menswear field. It is a reality-based team project. Students produce and show their
innovative work with pride to Pendleton Mills, who use students' ideas as market research to expand
their own business. Showing their work to the public at the Cornell Fashion Collective runway
presentation using luxury woolen fabrics, is an added bonus. Team members gain valuable
knowledge and a deeper understanding of the menswear market, as well as of the design, fitting, and
production processes for young men's apparel.
PERSONAL SKILL BUILDING WITH NEW SOFTWARE & TECHNOLOGY
I am in a perpetual state of self-study for developing teaching materials for design studio and
CAD classes. Software programs in the college are updated every 12-15 months, requiring new sets
of strategies for teaching and creating accompanying visual exercises, necessary for students to
reach higher levels of comprehension; resulting in more sophisticated design projects. Further,
developing lectures and samples to use Sonobond ultrasonic technology for my fashion design
course is an intensive hands-on and experimental process. Organized training and development
programs do not exist for ultrasonic equipment used in non-traditional ways, i.e. fashion
design. Ultrasonic fusing technology is primarily used for weatherproofing functional clothing, and
other industrial purposes which presents huge challenges for our educational purposes at Cornell.
Self-discovery and continued hands-on experimentation are the only ways to learn, and to move the
design curriculum ahead with this technology. With our students' need for original portfolio work in
mind, rather than using stock pattern wheels available from the company; I design brand
new patterns in consultation with the engineers at Sonobond Ultrasonics, ensuring that our
students' work is distinctive.
Technology Outcomes:
Giving students a competitive edge with new technologies for fashion design has been the hallmark
of our program since the mid-to-late 1980s. In 2004, new printing and fabric technologies made it
possible for us to digitally print on fabrics in-house, and I moved away from 2-D printing on paper
to full-scale silk scarves in 2004. In 2005 we leaped forward and upward again and
began creating engineered prints for full-scale garments and accessories. With this approach
students acquire a hands-on simulation with the process of 'mass-customization', so vital for an
industry concerned with 'green' printing and manufacturing processes. At the freshman level, my
CAD students are producing excellent work and winning international competitions. Our program
has been recognized by industry and academia for its achievements in digital textile design
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and printing, and the acknowledgements can only improve when digital textile design and
printing is combined with laser cutting and Sonobond technologies next year.
LIAISON TO FSAD ALUMNI & INDUSTRY
I assist our alumni and other industry personnel to connect with our best students for internships and
permanent positions in the fashion industry. This exchange is an important and ongoing function for
me. FSAD alumni have valuable insights and help us understand the changing needs of industry,
and suggest how we might adapt our curriculum to move our program forward and prepare students
to meet these challenges. Our loyal alumni are an amazing resource for us, and I look forward
to dynamic industry and educational exchanges with the new FSAD industry advisory board, soon
to be created by the College.
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