AATCC Review

2016-12-01

Wojciechowska, Iza

Last year, “the dress” took the world by storm as people puzzled over whether it was blue-and-black or white-and-gold—and over how such a discrepancy about a seemingly objective article of clothing was even possible. The photo brought issues of color perception and color rendering out of the labs...

2014-09-01

Musante, Glenna B.

A typical retail clothing store, especially one catering to a younger, fashion-forward customer, is likely a showcase for the latest clothing trends and hot seasonal colors. But increasingly, retail stores in China and Europe are also becoming showcases for another type of retail trend that has...

2020-02-01

Jones, John Russel

The international apparel business is owning up to its role as one of the planet's most polluting industries. We recognize that engaging in more sustainable practices will help curb climate change and will also have a positive effect on corporate image in the mind of today's consumers. Figuring...

2017-10-01

Le, Kilara

If a ray of sunlight shines through a window and one looks closely, there are many small fibers, or microfibers, floating in the air. They may be synthetic in origin or natural fibers such as cotton, wool, or hair; however, most are shed from textile materials used in our homes and clothing....

2020-06-01

Davies, Nicola

Military combat uniforms are primarily designed with the goal of increasing the combat effectiveness of the soldiers who wear them. Incorporating features such as camouflage patterns to make them less likely to be spotted in certain terrains, and flame-resistance to reduce their vulnerability to...

2016-12-01

Crawford, Craig

For most of my life I have lived in big cities where I didn’t need to drive. I just stepped onto the curb and hailed a taxi. But the other day I stepped onto the curb and no taxi appeared. And then it dawned on me—taxis don’t appear anymore; they are summoned. There’s an app for that now. As an...

2014-12-01

Musante, Glenna B.

It’s difficult to forget the images from the 2010 Deep Horizon disaster. Miles of once pristine white beach and turquoise waters along the Gulf of Mexico were mired for months in a carpet of heavy black crude oil, punctuated by tides bearing fish kills and beach fowl drowning in sludge. The...

2014-06-01

Musante, Glenna B.

Traditionally, the factors that have gone into designing a shoe are tied to style, as opposed to fit. From bunion–causing, cramped leather shoes, to flip flops offering little foot support, if a pair of shoes leads to aching feet at the end of the day or back pain, it is, as they say, the price...

2018-08-01

Le, Kilara

It seems that, like classic looks in fashion, natural dyes are fated never to go out of style. Today, there is a resurgence of interest in using natural dyes—based in great part on the sustainability movement. Until recently, however, natural dyes were only able to fill niche markets. The...

2014-04-01

Musante, Glenna B.

If you look closely at nature, you will see a vast ocean of design solutions. Skin that changes color to blend in with the surroundings. Shells that are flexible, but provide protection from predators. Structures in wings, hair, and skin that create color by deflecting light. Small factories...