Spring Splash 2009 -Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design

Spring Splash '09!

Following successful events in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 the Department held its sixth Spring Splash Fundraiser in April. As usual, the event featured a show of fashions by the best of the designers amongst the department's majors. The event celebrated the department's ties with Industry, recognized achievements of its alumni, and distributed scholarships to deserving students.

For 2009 we adopted music as the focus with the theme of "Rock the Runway". Music and fashion have been intertwined for decades. Think Jazz musicians of the 1940s in their zoot suits, Elvis with his slicked back hair, and distinctive clothes in the 1950s, and who can forget the mop-topped Beatles of the 60s? Later came Janis Joplin, Madonna, and Gwen Stefani. Glam rockers, punk rockers, and rappers had major influence on young male's clothing.

With a recession in progress, raising money is especially difficult, and this year we lacked a major sponsor. Nonetheless we were able to award money raised in 2008 as scholarships, and more than 200 people attended the event in URI's Memorial Union following a reception at the University Club.

Scholarship Awards

The Textile Advisory Board designates a portion of each year's Spring Splash monies for scholarships. Four $1000 scholarships are offered to qualified majors who demonstrate scholarly achievement and financial need. The TJX Foundation funded three scholarships. Two TMD alums donated $500 to aid a deserving student. Cranston Print Works donated $500 for us to use as we saw fit; we decided on a scholarship. Lastly, a $500 Linda Welters Study Abroad scholarship is available for qualified Rhode Island residents.

Spring Splash Scholarships were awarded to Nancy Tong (senior, CT), Emily Pascoe (sophomore from Forked River NJ), Sarah Bolton (sophomore, West Hartford, CT) and Despina Tsatsaronis (senior, NJ) Marissa Fisher (Junior from Long Island, NY)

TJX Foundation Scholarships went to Michaela Kiley (Junior, Hope valley, RI), Katrina Meehan (Sophomore, Wakefield, RI)
Weavers Guild of RI scholarship was awarded to Kelly Poorman (Masters student, NJ)

Alumni Wall of Fame

This year we welcomed...

Jeffrey A. Butterworth
Jeffrey received his MS degree in 1998 with a concentration in textile and costume history and conservation. He arrived at URI with an MFA in theatre design and a prestigious CSA Stella Blum Grant that allowed him the opportunity to study the history of shoes at Peabody Essex Museum in Salem. While at URI, Jeffrey worked on conserving shoes excavated during Boston's Big Dig project. He researched seventeenth-century Boston shoemakers for his MS thesis. Jeffrey is a professor of Theatre and English at the Community College of Rhode Island where he mounts four shows annually. He brings some of his students to visit URI's historic costume and textile collection every year; some have decided to continue their studies here at URI. He is always on the lookout for good additions to the historic collection.

Luis Cano
Luis received his BS in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design in 1985 with an emphasis on textile science. He entered the textile industry right after graduation. Over the course of a decade, he worked his way up from Product Manager and Head Converter to Operations Manager for Robert Allen Group. After more experience with Richloom Fabrics Group and Kravet Fabrics, in 2006 Luis purchased Maco, Inc., the largest supplier of printed outdoor fabrics for the US market. These fabrics are sold to all the major retailers through furniture and cushion manufacturers both in the U.S. and in Asia.

Jennifer Brousseau
In 1998, Jennifer Garrepy Brousseau was awarded a BS in TMD. She wanted to stay in southeastern New England after graduation, so she worked for Cherry Tree Products and J. Crew before becoming the Technical Design Assistant for Foxcroft Sportswear in Fall River until 2007. This experience plus being a free-lance jewelry designer since graduation enabled Jennifer to move to LDC, Inc., a Providence jewelry manufacturer. She oversees the product development and design department. Starting with a concept, she works with manufacturers and fine retailers from the original concept ,through the sample process, and into production.

Industry Partner Awards

We were proud to recognize...

Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas helps clients comply with standards and regulations relating to quality, health and safety, environment and social responsibility. A network of regional and local offices manage client relationships and deliver a comprehensive range of services including inspection, testing, auditing, certification, ship classification and related technical assistance, training and outsourcing. Bureau Veritas has 33,000 employees in 850 offices and laboratories worldwide. The company's closest regional laboratory is based in Taunton, Massachusetts where textile testing is performed. The lab has hired TMD graduates and offered internships and hosted field trips from TMD classes. Last year, Vice President Rick Horwitch, Laura Galligan, and Dan Porges spoke to the TMD senior seminar on sustainability.

AATCC
AATCC is the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, which is the world's leading not-for-profit association serving textile professionals since 1921. AATCC is headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The association provides test method development, quality control materials, and professional networking for thousands of members in 60 countries throughout the world. Martin Bide, Professor of TMD, recently completed a two-year stint as President of AATCC. TMD students have presented papers and won prizes at the National Meeting. AATCC's New England chapter has held meetings at URI, invited faculty members as speakers, and sponsored student attendance at technical meetings. URI’s student chapter is named for Rita Hindle , a URI alum and recipient of an honorary doctorate.

Kent State University's NYC Studio
When Kent State University of Kent, Ohio opened a teaching facility in New York City, director Elizabeth Rhodes asked TMD to be a partner. Our students were invited to study fashion design and merchandising at their facility in the heart of New York's garment industry. A visit to the New York Studio on 39th street initiated the partnership. Emily Aldredge, who heads the Studio, began coming to URI to recruit. Eleven students attended classes in fall 2007, five in summer 2008, and more are heading to the Big Apple this summer. All students who have studied there rave about the experience. Several have stayed in the City and found jobs in the industry, thanks to the strong program.

Fashion Show

The Fashion show itself, with the theme of "Rock the Runway" featured more than 50 designs by 14 designers. Preliminary judging was by Joy Emery, Diane Martin and Christine Laudon. The final judging was by Susan Cohen, Claudia Iannuccilli and Abby Lillethun.

Thanks are due to... Susan Hannel - fashion show coordinator, Abby Lillethun - scene designer and choreographer, Yvette Harps-Logan - reservations and arrangements, Michaelangelo LaLuna - music, Linda Welters - scholarships and brochure text, Karl Aspelund - program layout and graphic design, Brenda Faulkner - mailing and tickets, Martin Bide - plaques, TMD346 (CAD class) - Display of student CAD designs, TMD 442 (Fashion Promotion) students - advertising, decoration.

Photos from the evening....
(courtesy of URI News Bureau and photographer Michael Salerno)