Patagonia Worn & Wear X
Columbia College Chicago Competition
Patagonia, founded in 1973 in Ventura, California, initially sold climbing gear before expanding into outdoor apparel and gear. Environmental awareness has been a core value of the company from the beginning, and it continues to uphold this commitment through its sustainable practices and dedication to core values such as quality, integrity, environmentalism, justice, and innovation. These principles have helped lead the industry toward greater sustainability, particularly through Patagonia's creation of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC). This coalition has provided designers and consumers with the opportunity to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices within the fashion industry.
Additionally, through the creation of 1% For The Planet, an organization founded by Yvon Chouinard and Craig Mathews of Patagonia, the company has inspired other fashion brands to donate 1% of their earnings to "domestic and international grassroots environmental groups making a difference in their local communities." This initiative helps fund and promote efforts to protect the natural environment.
Patagonia X Columbia College Chicago
Competition Winner
Patagonia X Columbia College Chicago came about as an effort to continue the company's commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness through up-and-coming designers and the future of fashion. Eleven students were selected for the CCC x Patagonia Makers Team, where we had four days to create a full garment using items from the Worn Wear collection, collected at the Patagonia Fulton Market Chicago store. Over those four days, I spent a total of 40 hours working on my three-piece garment with body inclusivity in mind and aligned with Patagonia’s values.
I embarked on a creative journey, color-blocking patterns from a sweatshirt that became my color palette, guiding my overall vision for the matching garment. Using men’s swimming trunks, men’s khaki jeans, and a men’s sweater, I transformed them into a size-inclusive women’s set that included a top, bottoms, and a purse.
"We're in business to save our home planet." -Patagonia
"We're in business to save our home planet." -Patagonia
Patagonia X Columbia College Chicago
Competition Winner
This competition ultimately called for more than just a great idea or product—it required intention. My top priority was to fully understand and acknowledge the ethos and values of Patagonia. Embracing an ecological point of view and recognizing the brand’s purpose of creating well-crafted garments that can be worn by any body guided my design process. I aimed to create a look that accommodates non–standard sizes, bringing greater inclusivity to the outerwear market.
At the same time, Patagonia’s commitment to quality and exploration inspired me to experiment with color and shape, leading to the development of a three-piece look. Reworking a functional sweatshirt into a primary pattern-blocking piece allowed me to establish cohesion and consistency throughout the design, making each element feel unified—like chapters coming together in a single story.
This mission carried through the month-long Instagram voting process, where both my design and my message were central. Building community became key to my success. By reaching out to fellow creatives, supporters, family, and friends, I was able to secure enough votes to ultimately win the competition.
I dedicate this win to my peers, who created breathtaking garments and continuously presented their intentions with clarity and passion. Presenting my work at the Patagonia flagship in Fulton Market was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of it.
Atlanta Georgia
Tex Process 2025
Texprocess Americas 2025 Student Poster Program
The Student Research Poster Program at Techtextil North America is an academic and industry-focused competition where students present original, unpublished research in areas related to technical textiles and nonwovens. Selected participants create a professional research poster and showcase their work at the exhibition, engaging with industry professionals, researchers, and peers. The program emphasizes innovation, technical knowledge, and the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively in a visual format.
My research for the Student Research Poster Program at Techtextil North America was centered on Patagonia as a model for innovation and responsibility within the textile industry. This focus drove my interest in understanding how purpose-driven companies can reshape the future of fashion. By examining initiatives such as the Worn Wear program, I explored how extending product life cycles and promoting repair and reuse can actively challenge the culture of fast fashion.
This perspective closely aligns with Techtextil’s mission to highlight innovation, sustainability, and forward-thinking solutions in textiles. Through my work, I aimed to connect technical advancements with ethical responsibility, emphasizing the importance of reducing waste, encouraging sustainable apparel production, and restoring integrity, justice, and innovation within the global fashion industry.