Category "Fashion Education"

Celebrating World Teacher’s Day – October 5th

Francesca Sterlacci - October 3, 2026 - Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Art, Fashion Business, Fashion Design education, Fashion Education, Fashion Events, First & Largest Online Fashion Education Library, Instructor Spotlight, Pattern Making, Retail Marketing, Retail Math, retail merchandising, Sewing, The Making: University Of Fashion, Visual Merchandising

Did you know that October 5 is World Teachers’ Day?

Today, we celebrate the remarkable educators who have chosen one of the world’s most meaningful professions—especially the exceptional instructors of University of Fashion.

Becoming a fashion educator, in any specialty, requires far more than formal education. It takes years—often decades—of hands-on industry experience, continued learning, creative problem-solving, and a genuine commitment to sharing knowledge. Our roster of fashion professionals reflects that dedication, bringing real-world expertise, hard-won insights, and invaluable tips and tricks directly to our students.

From sewing beautifully tailored handmade buttonholes and draping on the bias to illustrating camouflage prints, mastering color theory, and exploring retail through visual merchandising, University of Fashion instructors teach the skills that bring fashion ideas to life. They are true sharers: generous with their knowledge, passionate about their fields, and committed to helping the next generation succeed.

Many of our instructors teach at leading fashion colleges around the world. Others have spent more than a decade in the industry—some more than 40 years—and many balance both professional practice and academic teaching.

On World Teachers’ Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to all 72 University of Fashion instructors. Thank you for your lasting contributions to the fashion industry and for inspiring our global community of subscribers over the past 18 years.

As the first and largest online fashion education library, University of Fashion is proud to celebrate the teachers who make learning possible.

Introducing our Team

image of new lesson West African Textile - Vlisco - Cote d"Ivorie

Announcing Our Newest Lesson: West African Textiles: Vlisco — Cote D’Ivoire

Francesca Sterlacci - September 26, 2026 - Costume Exhibitions, Fashion Education, Fashion Events, Fashion Exhibitions, Fashion History, Fashion Lectures, New Lessons, New University of Fashion Lessons, Textiles

University of Fashion’s lesson on West African textiles of Cote d’Ivoire – specifically the Vlisco Group. (Image credit (University of Fashion)

This new lesson examines the Vlisco Group and its powerful role in the textile industry of Côte d’Ivoire, as well as throughout much of West Africa. As a leading supplier of commercially produced, nontraditional African wax-print textiles, Vlisco has had a far-reaching influence on the visual culture, fashion economy, and consumer textile market of the region.

Although Vlisco’s fabrics have become closely associated with West African dress and identity, the company’s relationship to African textiles is also complex and controversial. Its Dutch-produced wax prints draw upon techniques and aesthetics shaped by global trade, colonial history, Indonesian batik, and generations of African consumers, merchants, designers, and dressmakers who have given these textiles their distinctive cultural meanings.

In this lesson, you will explore Vlisco’s significant financial and creative impact on the African textile industry, with particular attention to Côte d’Ivoire. You will also consider how commercial wax prints have evolved into an important medium for personal expression, fashion, status, and cultural communication across West Africa.

UoF’s West African Textile Series

Mina Dia-Stevens and her other lessons in the series on the textile traditions of Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal and, coming soon…Ghana.

Origin of “African Prints”

African fashion on display at the Perelman Building 2016. (Image credit: Philadelphia Museum of Art)

Did you know that the textiles commonly called “African prints” today are industrial wax-print fabrics with roots in the much older batik tradition? Batik—created through hand-drawn or hand-blocked wax-resist dyeing—has early precedents in China and India as far back as the eighth century. By the thirteenth century, artisans on the Indonesian island of Java had refined the technique into the highly sophisticated visual and technical tradition now most closely associated with Africa.

During the nineteenth century, Dutch textile entrepreneurs adapted and industrialized Javanese batik methods. Although these textiles were initially intended for markets in Indonesia, they found an especially enthusiastic audience in West and Central Africa. Over time, African consumers, traders, and dressmakers made the fabrics their own, assigning distinctive names, meanings, and social significance to individual patterns. The result is the vibrant wax-print tradition recognized around the world today.

Haarlem Cotton Company

One of the earliest Dutch firms credited with imitating Javanese batik—the technical and visual precursor to the textiles later known as African wax prints—was the company founded by Jean Baptiste Théodore Prévinaire. Prévinaire established a textile enterprise in Haarlem, the Netherlands in 1835 and developed La Javanaise, a mechanized process for reproducing Javanese-style wax-resist cloth. His firm later became the Haarlemsche Katoen Maatschappij (HKM), or Haarlem Cotton Company.

The factory ceased production in 1917 as a casualty of World War I. The following year, its facilities were auctioned. Van Vlissingen, later known as Vlisco, purchased several of HKM’s printing machines and engraved copper rollers. These historic tools continued to be used in the production of designs that remain among the classic patterns associated with the wax-print technique.

Zoba-Zoba: “Children Are Better Than Money”

Early Haarlem Cotton Company cotton wax block pattern designed as a zoba zoba, (associated with fertility). (Image credit: Philadelphia Museum of Art)

This textile is designed as a zoba-zoba, a patchwork-style composition combining several distinct patterns. At its center is an early Haarlem Cotton Company motif associated with fertility. The design is named after the proverb l’enfant vaut mieux que l’argent — “children are better than money”— and reflects the central importance of children and family within many African communities.

Vlisco

Vlisco was founded in 1846 in Helmond, the Netherlands, by Dutch entrepreneur Pieter Fentener van Vlissingen. Originally established as P. F. van Vlissingen & Co., the company later became known as Vlisco. Vlisco found a market in West Africa around 1867. Since then, their prints have caught on and been made popular by African vendors who assign meaning and value to the prints. In fact, when printed cloth is sent to Africa from Vlisco, it leaves only with a stock number. Once it arrives, African vendors name the fabric based on proverbs, current events, politics, religion and material culture. One design can have many interpretations depending on where it is used. It is through naming that the prints acquire social meaning, status, and value and become culturally assimilated into African society.

Cotton wax print named Love, Bomb and Dynamite designed by Cor van den Boogaard for Vlisco 2002. (Image credit: Philadelphia Museum of Art)

This pattern is known by many names, among them Love, Bomb and Dynamite. In Togo, it is referred to as Wounded Heart, reflecting the broken heart of a woman who knowns her husband is cheating on her. Japanese fashion designer Junye Watanabbe used this textile for his 2009 spring/summer collection.

Creative Africa @ Philadelphia Museum of Art 2016

In 2016, African prints and fashion designs were the subject of an exhibition entitled Creative Africa at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Perelman Building. On display were the rich textile prints and examples of designers who were inspired by these prints. Enjoy!

Inspirational Vlisco Textile Patterns

Assorted Vlisco textile patterns. (Image credit: Philadelphia Museum of Art)

Vlisco-inspired Fashion Designs

Assorted Vlisco textile patterns for fashion design. (Image credit: Philadelphia Museum of Art)

Are you back at school and looking for a tutor?

Francesca Sterlacci - September 13, 2026 - Back to School, Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Business, Fashion Design education, Fashion Education

University of Fashion’s Back-to-School Sale is like having a fashion-design fairy godparent—except instead of a wand, we’ve got 550+ on-demand videos, and instead of midnight curfew, we’re open 24/7.

What you get (without the all-nighter panic)

Access to professional fashion education whenever inspiration strikes—or when your professor says, “It’s due tomorrow.”
Lessons taught by experienced fashion-industry pros across 13 design and business disciplines (because yes, fashion school involves both sketching and spreadsheets).
Expert guidance for mastering technical skills, building business smarts, or simply regaining the confidence to face that blank mood board.

How students actually use us

Untangling tricky design assignments (darts, draping, and “why won’t this sleeve behave?” moments).
Powering through business assignments without Googling “what is a line sheet?” at 2 a.m.
Finding last-minute inspiration when the paper is due, the coffee’s gone, and your muslin looks suspiciously like a potato sack.

With 550+ tutorials across 13 fashion disciplines, University of Fashion is basically your always-on studio mentor—minus the judgmental side-eye when you pin backwards.

Draping: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel
Pattern Making: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel
Sewing: machine & hand stitching, seam and hem finishes, zippers, couture techniques, tailoring, embroidery, leatherwork, and more
Fashion Drawing: figure drawing for men, women, and children; fabric rendering; design details; watercolor, pastels, and more
Knits: knitting, crocheting, and cut-and-sew knits
Menswear: measuring the male body and drafting bespoke patterns from measurements
CAD Art: Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, 3D design, AI fashion design, textile design
CAD Pattern Making: Tukatech pattern drafting and marker-making software
Accessories: handbags, small leather goods, shoe design
Product Development: starting a brand, adaptive fashion, tech design, flats, specs, tech packs, 3D design, AI fashion design
Childrenswear: global sizing and free kids’ pattern slopers for boys’ and girls’ wear
Fashion Business: start-up, retail, branding, fashion law, licensing, visual merchandising, and more
Lecture Series: adaptive design, costume history, sustainable design, color theory, trend forecasting, textiles, visual merchandising, and more

Special back-to-school offer

We typically run this promotion only once a year (during the holidays), but to help teachers and students get a head start, we’re offering $55 off our annual subscription:

Regular price: $220
Now: $165 with code TUTOR
Offer expires: October 1, 2026

Ready to elevate your fashion education? Use code TUTOR at checkout and start learning today.

If you are a school or group, we offer a free trial so that you can sample our content before taking advantage of our reduced rates for schools & groups.

Hurry, our offers expire October 1, 2026. Please note that the student discount promo code can only be used by teachers for their own personal use and not for use in the classroom. For our group subscription rates (5+ people) and to learn more about our free trials, scan the Group QR code above.

Back to school sale image $55 off a yearly subscription

UoF’s Back to School Sale: Get Your Own Private Tutor

Think of us as every student’s best-kept secret: your own private fashion tutor, available on demand.

Our mission is your success. Whether you’re a student or teacher at a high school or college—anywhere in the world—and you need support with curriculum development, class projects, or building your portfolio, we’re here for YOU.

Our 13 Different Lesson Disciplines: Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced

Access 550+ on-demand video tutorials across 13 fashion disciplines, all taught by experienced fashion professors and industry professionals:

Draping: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel
Pattern Making: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel
Sewing: machine & hand stitching, seam and hem finishes, zippers, couture techniques, tailoring, embroidery, leatherwork, and more
Fashion Drawing: figure drawing for men, women, and children; fabric rendering; design details; watercolor, pastels, and more
Knits: knitting, crocheting, and cut-and-sew knits
Menswear: measuring the male body and drafting bespoke patterns from measurements
CAD Art: Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, 3D design, AI fashion design, textile design
CAD Pattern Making: Tukatech pattern drafting and marker-making software
Accessories: handbags, small leather goods, shoe design
Product Development: starting a brand, adaptive fashion, tech design, flats, specs, tech packs, 3D design, AI fashion design
Childrenswear: global sizing and free kids’ pattern slopers for boys’ and girls’ wear
Fashion Business: start-up, retail, branding, fashion law, licensing, visual merchandising, and more
Lecture Series: adaptive design, costume history, sustainable design, color theory, trend forecasting, textiles, visual merchandising, and more

Special back-to-school offer

We typically run this promotion only once a year (during the holidays), but to help teachers and students get a head start, we’re offering $55 off our annual subscription:

Regular price: $220
Now: $165 with code TUTOR
Offer expires: October 1, 2026

Ready to elevate your fashion education? Use code TUTOR at checkout and start learning today.

If you are a school or group, we offer a free trial so that you can sample our content before taking advantage of our reduced rates for schools & groups.

And just because we love every single fashionista out there, you don’t need to be a student or teacher to take advantage of our back to school promo, our sale is open to everyone!

University of Fashion Promo code - TUTOR. $55 off a yearly subscription Was $220 now $165. Off expires 10.1.2026

School’s back in session—and so are we!

Think of us as every student’s best-kept secret: your own private fashion tutor, available on demand.

What you get

Access 550+ on-demand video tutorials across 13 fashion disciplines, all taught by experienced fashion professors and industry professionals:

Draping: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel
Pattern Making: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel
Sewing: machine & hand stitching, seam and hem finishes, zippers, couture techniques, tailoring, embroidery, leatherwork, and more
Fashion Drawing: figure drawing for men, women, and children; fabric rendering; design details; watercolor, pastels, and more
Knits: knitting, crocheting, and cut-and-sew knits
Menswear: measuring the male body and drafting bespoke patterns from measurements
CAD Art: Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, 3D design, AI fashion design, textile design
CAD Pattern Making: Tukatech pattern drafting and marker-making software
Accessories: handbags, small leather goods, shoe design
Product Development: starting a brand, adaptive fashion, tech design, flats, specs, tech packs, 3D design, AI fashion design
Childrenswear: global sizing and free kids’ pattern slopers for boys’ and girls’ wear
Fashion Business: start-up, retail, branding, fashion law, licensing, visual merchandising, and more
Lecture Series: adaptive design, costume history, sustainable design, color theory, trend forecasting, textiles, visual merchandising, and more

Special back-to-school offer

We typically run this promotion only once a year (during the holidays), but to help teachers and students get a head start, we’re offering $55 off our annual subscription:

Regular price: $220
Now: $165 with code TUTOR
Offer expires: October 1, 2026

Ready to elevate your fashion education? Use code TUTOR at checkout and start learning today.

If you are a school or group, we offer a free trial so that you can sample our content before taking advantage of our reduced rates for schools & groups.

And just because we love every single fashionista out there, you don’t need to be a student or teacher to take advantage of our back to school promo, our sale is open to everyone!

What I Learned After 25+ Years as a Fashion College Professor — Part Two

This week’s blog continues my two-part series reflecting on what I learned over more than 25 years as a fashion college professor. My career included 17 years teaching at the Fashion Institute of Technology, followed by 3 years as Chair of the Fashion Design department, and later 6 years teaching graduate-level fashion design at the Academy of Art University. Throughout that time, I had a front-row seat to students’ journeys into the fashion industry, observing how they navigated everything from the application process to making the most of their education once accepted.

In Part One, I focused on helping prospective students understand how to choose and apply to fashion colleges. In Part Two, I shift my focus to fashion educators, offering insight into how they can support students in thriving and creating a meaningful, positive experience once they begin their studies.

Student Insecurities

I still vividly remember my own first day at FIT as a student. Sitting in a class of 200 students selected from a pool of 2,000 applicants, I felt both grateful and overwhelmed. Alongside the excitement came a wave of insecurity: Was I talented enough? Could I keep up with the workload? Had the school made a mistake in accepting me?

That uncertainty quickly eased thanks to my professor. She welcomed the class warmly, invited each of us to introduce ourselves and share where we came from, and immediately created a sense of belonging. She then reviewed the syllabus, emphasized the importance of deadlines, explained attendance and grading policies, and opened the floor for questions.

Throughout my years of teaching, I adopted this same approach. I found that students are far more likely to succeed when they clearly understand expectations from the outset. In later years, the department introduced a detailed grading rubric outlining the criteria for each grade level (A, A-, B, B-, C, C-, D, F). Students were asked to sign this document, which not only helped manage expectations but also supported faculty in addressing the challenges of grade inflation.

Access to Tutoring

University of Fashion — the perfect answer to the tutor and upskilling problem. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

As school budgets continue to tighten, many fashion programs have had to eliminate the free tutoring services they once provided. I remember during my time at FIT, top-performing students were hired to support peers who needed extra help managing the workload. Faculty also made themselves available before and after class to guide struggling students. However, union regulations requiring additional compensation for extra hours, combined with budget constraints, gradually brought these valuable support systems to an end. Today, many students are left to navigate these challenges on their own.

That gap is exactly what inspired the creation of University of Fashion. In 2008, I set out to support aspiring fashion students—first by helping them prepare for the fashion school application process, and then by building a comprehensive library of lessons taught by leading fashion college professors and industry professionals. The goal was not only to provide accessible tutoring for students, but also to empower educators.

University of Fashion gives teachers the tools to expand their curriculum and refine their skills without needing to return to school. With limited time and resources, many faculty members benefit from the flexibility of learning and teaching enhancement from home.

UoF Lesson Disciplines

UoF’s 13 different lesson disciplines. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Today, University of Fashion offers over 550 lessons across 13 disciplines, including Draping, Sewing, Patternmaking, Accessories, Childrenswear, Menswear, Knits, Product Development, CAD Fashion Art, CAD Patternmaking, Fashion Business, and a wide range of Fashion Lectures covering topics such as A.I for Fashion Design, Costume History, Color Theory, Textile Design, Fabric Studies, Sustainable Design, and many more. We support hundreds of fashion students worldwide while also helping educators broaden their teaching scope.

Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it—explore some of what our students and educators have to say.

Just a few of our many testimonials. (Image Credit: University of Fashion)

Complement not Replacement

It is important to note that University of Fashion was founded as a complement to, not a replacement for, fashion college education. Our mission was to inspire anyone interested in a career in the fashion industry and to preserve the art & craft of fashion for current and future generations. As we celebrate our 18^th anniversary, we are proud that we have succeeded in being the first and largest online fashion education resource, not only for aspiring designers, current fashion school students and teachers, but as a resource for anyone who is curious about a fashion career.

What I Learned After 25+ Years as a Fashion College Professor — Part One

Francesca Sterlacci - July 18, 2026 - Costume Exhibitions, Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Art, Fashion College Admissions Process, Fashion Education, Fashion Exhibitions, Fashion History, Fashion Illustration, Fashion Lectures, Fashion School, Sustainability

After decades in fashion education, I often find myself reflecting on what truly matters for aspiring designers. When considering new topics to share with our community of subscribers and followers, one idea stood out: why not pass along the most valuable lessons I’ve learned over the past 25+ years?

During my time at the Fashion Institute of Technology—17 years teaching in the classroom and 3 years serving as Chair of the Fashion Design department and then 6 years teaching graduate level fashion design at the Academy of Art —I had a front-row seat to students’ journeys into the fashion industry. I saw firsthand how they navigated everything from the application process to making the most of their education once accepted.

In this two-part series, Part One focuses on guiding prospective students through selecting and applying to fashion colleges. Part Two will shift to supporting educators, offering insights on how to help students thrive and create a meaningful, positive experience once they begin their fashion school journey.

How to Pick a Fashion College

UoF’s free list of global fashion schools — 2-year and 4-year fashion school options. (Image credit: University of Fashion.com)

Choosing the right fashion college is one of the most important decisions in your journey. As you explore your options, take time to ask yourself a few key questions:

How far from home am I willing to go for school?
Should I pursue a two-year program or commit to a four-year degree?
Which schools offer the strongest programs for my specific interests? For instance, if you’re passionate about costume design, which colleges specialize in that field?
What famous fashion designers graduated from this college?
What are the admission requirements, and can I realistically meet them? Consider factors like minimum GPA, standardized test scores, and, most importantly, portfolio expectations.
What is the tuition and do they offer scholarships and/or financing options?

Once you’ve researched and narrowed down the schools that you’re excited about, the next step is applying. Be sure to schedule visits to your top choices whenever possible. Walking the campus and experiencing the environment firsthand can help you picture your life there. For example, some students accepted to FIT later realized that living in a fast-paced city like New York wasn’t the right fit for them.

The Fashion College Application Process

University of Fashion’s lesson, Portfolio Tips for Fashion College Admissions (Image credit: University of Fashion)

In a recent conversation with Tina, a Chicago-based high school senior applying to fashion schools, she described the process as anxiety-producing and overwhelming. Her high school did not offer sewing classes, and its art program lacked guidance on building a fashion portfolio, leaving her to navigate the requirements on her own. Many of the schools she applied to expected both sewn garments and a strong fashion illustration portfolio. A surprise since wasn’t that the whole reason she should go to a fashion school in the first place?

Fortunately, Tina had an early advantage. During her sophomore year, her aunt gifted her a subscription to University of Fashion. Through its lessons she learned how to sew, draw fashion figures, and develop a cohesive portfolio. The platform also provided valuable resources, including a global directory of fashion schools, guidance on crafting a compelling admissions essay, and insight into what makes a portfolio stand out. The lesson, Portfolio Tips for Fashion College Admissions is an amazing guide that takes you through the whole process and is taught by a current FIT professor.

Tina also discovered that expectations vary by school. Some programs require original fashion design work, while others accept fine art pieces as part of the portfolio.

As applicants prepare their materials, it is important to ask:

Does my personal statement clearly express my passion for fashion?
Am I knowledgeable about the fashion history, current industry trends, and key sectors such as couture, luxury, and sustainable fashion?

Fashion college admissions teams want to see that applicants are fully committed and genuinely invested in pursuing fashion.

The Dos & Don’t of the Fashion College Essay

Your portfolio matters, but your essay should reveal who you are as an artist. Some schools require an artist statement—use it to explain your work, philosophy, aesthetic, and point of view. Colleges are looking for fresh, exciting, and innovative work. Show what makes your voice meaningful in fashion. Read the essay requirements carefully, since they want you to answer the question, not just talk about what you want to talk about.

Essay Dos

From UoF’s costume history lesson series, 100 Years of Fashion Rebels & Revolutionaries – Part 1. (Image credit) University of Fashion).

Immerse yourself in fashion—costume history, magazines, blogs, fashion shows and exhibitions—and stay aware of broader culture, from museums to pop and emerging artists. Know key designers, both established and new, and understand enough fashion history to reference it thoughtfully (e.g., Chanel’s legacy, the New Look, punk and grunge).

Write from a clear sense of the impact you want to make in the industry. You can also explore how the internet and digital culture are reshaping fashion, from early adopters to the contrast with traditional, big-budget fashion houses.

Essay Don’ts

Avoid clichéd essays, such as claiming you want to be a designer because you dress well or because you expect to inherit a family fashion business. Be cautious with questions about negative work experiences or strengths and weaknesses; always balance any weakness with a corresponding strength. For example, missing deadlines can be framed as a result of your commitment to producing high-quality work.

Take your essay seriously. Write concisely, avoid repetition, and remember that longer is not always better. Have a teacher or mentor review your work and allow time for revision—strong writing is a process. An A.I. essay is always discoverable.

The 5 Essential Principles for a Great Portfolio

Example of a fashion college admissions portfolio — including an inspiration/mood image, fashion sketches, flat sketches, neat fabric swatches and clean & clear signage. (Image credit: Nancy Kwan for University of Fashion)

When preparing your portfolio, regardless of the school you’re applying to, there are five essential principles to keep in mind.

First, ensure your portfolio feels cohesive, with a clear and consistent visual direction, starting with your inspiration.

Second, presentation matters—avoid anything that appears sloppy or smudged. If you include fabric swatches, they should be cleanly cut, properly labeled, and thoughtfully aligned with your designs.

Example of a fashion college admissions portfolio — including an inspiration/mood image, stylized fashion sketches, neatly cut fabric swatches and clean & clear signage. (Image credit: Ziyon Gong for University of Fashion)

Third, avoid relying on croquis templates from books or the internet. Develop your own sketching style so it reflects your unique design voice and aligns with your aesthetic.

Fourth, focus on technical accuracy in your sketches. Demonstrate your understanding of construction by clearly indicating details such as darts and garment openings.

How to Feature Your Garment Designs

Examples of how to creatively feature your garment designs. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

If you are including sewn examples of your work, create the best possible format for doing so. For example, shoot the garments on a model, then artfully place them on a background listing the design description and fabric choice. Or exhibit them artfully on a dress form. You can kill your portfolio with images that you haven’t spent time on. Professionalism matters.

In conclusion, invest the time to curate a visually compelling portfolio that is innovative, forward-thinking, and an authentic reflection of your passion for fashion. A thoughtfully crafted presentation will resonate with any admissions team. Aim for a portfolio that clearly communicates creativity, dedication, and the promise that you will represent their institution with distinction.

UoF Launches Adaptive Fashion Series

Francesca Sterlacci - May 30, 2026 - Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Business, Fashion Education, Fashion History, Fashion Innovation, Instructor Spotlight, Marketing, New University of Fashion Lessons

Poster frames of UoF 5 lesson Adaptive fashion series University of Fashion launches their 5-part Adaptive Fashion Series taught by Tracy Vollbrecht of Vollbrecht Adaptive Consulting (Photo courtesy: University of Fashion)

Did you know that there are more clothing options available for dogs than there are for people with disabilities? It took a long time coming, but the fashion industry is finally addressing the needs of the disability community, which is known today as Adaptive Fashion.

Thanks to our expert Tracy Vollbrecht, the University of Fashion is launching its 5-part Adaptive Fashion series to help educate the industry in the Adaptive Fashion marketplace. Our new series covers: the history adaptive fashion, how to design & develop adaptive fashion and how to merchandise and market product for the adaptive fashion consumer.

Tracy Vollbrecht of Vollbrecht Adaptive Consulting and University of Fashion instructor (Image courtesy: Vollbrecht Adaptive Consulting)

Our series begins with the terminology used when referring to various types of disabilities. Ms. Vollbrecht also offers a downloadable Terms and Definitions document to help understand appropriate language and terms used is this specialized market segment.

Molly Farrell, a white woman with brown hair, is shown in this photo wearing ULEX, one of the brands Tracy designed and helped launch. Molly is wearing a royal blue wrap cardigan and gray pants, while seated on bleachers. She is smiling brightly and her pink forearm crutches are visible in the photo.

Adaptive fashion designed by Tracy Vollbrecht for Yarrow featured on the Canadian TV show Fashion Dis (Image courtesy: Tracy Vollbrecht)

Ms. Vollbrecht’s history of the adaptive market covers such innovators as Helen Cookman, who in 1955, began researching the market potential of adaptable clothing at New York University’s Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation after being recommended for the role by New York Times style editor Virginia Pope. Cookman would spend the next four years developing a collection called Functional Fashions, which was a collection of 17 items designed to help disabled people dress independently. However, Ms. Vollbrecht explains that upon the passing of Helen Cookman and Virginia Pope the functional fashion movement began to fade and was replaced with clothing intended to make dressing easier for the elderly. It wouldn’t be until 2004-2007 that The Adaptive Fashion Showroom and the company Wheeliechix-Chic, founded by Louisa Summerfield, came into being and would take adaptive fashion to the next level.

Monica Engle Thomas, a white woman with curly auburn hair, is shown in this photo wearing a white Yarrow sleeveless button down that Tracy designed. Monica sits in her black and white manual wheelchair. She also wears sunglasses and jeans, while holding the leash to her small dog.

Monica Engle Thomas wearing a white Yarrow sleeveless button down designed by Tracy Vollbrecht (Image courtesy: Yarrow)

Tracy Vollbrecht Interview

UoF founder Francesc Sterlacci sat down with Tracy Vollbrecht to learn why she became interested in designing for the adaptive market and her thoughts on where the market is headed.

Francesca: Were you formally trained as a fashion designer and if so, where? What motivated you to pursue a career in adaptive fashion?

Tracy: I am! I graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design. At Kent, I had the opportunity to conduct research on adaptive fashion, which was still in its second-wave infancy. I say second-wave as there was a first wave of adaptive fashion in the 60s (check out the history of adaptive fashion lesson to learn more!). Within the research I conducted, I spoke to over 75 people with varying disabilities to learn about their challenges with clothing. My research culminated in a universally designed collection shown at Kent’s annual fashion show, a published research paper, and presenting my research at various conferences, including the International Textile and Apparel Association’s annual conference. The work I did at Kent showed me that clothing challenges weren’t just an issue my dad, who had MS, had experienced, but an issue that so many people face. This motivates me every day to continue the work I do – clothing should allow everyone to express themselves and feel good, not just some of us.

Francesca: How in demand are designers with adaptive fashion expertise? How did you connect with the companies that you have designed for in this space?

Tracy: Unfortunately, adaptive fashion is still very much a niche portion of the fashion industry, which is what myself and others are working to change. There isn’t a high demand for adaptive fashion designers yet. I’m hopeful that the niche will grow and there will be more demand for designers, merchandisers, buyers, marketers, etc with adaptive fashion experience. The companies I’ve worked with have either sought me out, were referred to me, or that I connected with them through network connections.

Francesca: Can you name the companies that you have designed for and/or who you are currently working for? Are their dedicated online and brick & mortar stores exclusively selling adaptive fashion?

Tracy: My first adaptive fashion role was with Juniper Unlimited where I designed and helped launch their brands’ Yarrow and ULEX. In my consulting work with Vollbrecht Adaptive Consulting, I’ve developed training resources for Target, taught lectures at IFA Paris, conducted research for Open Style Lab, and more. I can’t share who I’m working with at the moment, but I am definitely excited for what’s to come! At this stage, adaptive fashion is almost exclusively online. As we talk about in our merchandising lesson, online shopping has both pros and cons for the Disabled consumer. It’ll be great to see brands start to carry adaptive products in store, where the shopper can find them organically.

Francesca: What are the biggest challenges in designing for people with physical challenges?

Tracy: The biggest challenges for creating adaptive fashion are the variety in needs and the fashion cycle. Within the disability community and even within the same disability (physical or not), there is so much variety in clothing needs, body shape, and challenges. No two disabilities are the same, which is why it’s so important for brands to work with people with disabilities. However, the time and effort needed to properly develop clothing that actually works for all is at odds with the fast-fashion, trend driven nature of the fashion industry currently.

Molly Farrell wearing a top designed by Tracy Vollbrecht from ULEX- one of the brands she helped launch (Photo courtesy: ULEX)

Francesca: Do you see the adaptive market growing since companies like Tommy Hilfiger and other big brands have become more inclusive?

Tracy: Definitely! There is so much potential for brands to tap into the unmet needs of consumers with disabilities. Just because a few brands have gotten into the space doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more brands, all brands really, to get into the market. There will be “enough” adaptive fashion when consumers with disabilities have the same amount of choice in brand, price, and style as consumers without disabilities.

Francesca: What advice do you have for our students who may be interested in designing adaptive fashion?

Tracy: My advice to any student is that adaptive fashion is more than just adaptive design. Every role within the fashion industry (merchandising, product development, buying, marketing, etc.) is needed to make sure adaptive fashion gets into the hands of the consumer. If you have an interest in adaptive fashion, pursue it! Follow Disabled creators on social media; stay up to date on what brands are doing; volunteer for fashion shows. For designers specifically, adaptive fashion is still fashion. Getting experience working for fashion brands is essential. Since the adaptive market is still growing and there aren’t many adaptive design roles, take advantage of learning the process of design and development for non-adaptive fashion as that process still applies to adaptive fashion.

To learn more about Tracy Vollbrecht:

Cell: 732-632-7071

Website: www.vollbrechtadaptiveconsulting.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-vollbrecht/

Company LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/vollbrecht-adaptive-consulting

Learn More About the Adaptive Market

Read the book: All About Adaptive by Michele Chung

Learn how a new store in Pasadena, California caters to Adaptive Fashion consumers: Sewn Adaptive

So, tell us, how will you be pursuing a career in the Adaptive Fashion market?

Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Fashion Future

Francesca Sterlacci - March 14, 2026 - Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Education, Fashion Events, Sustainability, Textiles, Women in Fashion, Women's History Month

The 2026 Women’s History Month theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” provides a timely framework for examining women’s leadership within the global fashion industry. Fashion, one of the world’s most resource‑intensive sectors, has become a key site for sustainable innovation. Increasingly, women designers, educators, and entrepreneurs are driving transformative practices that integrate environmental stewardship, economic equity, and cultural preservation into fashion’s future.

South Asia Women Leading the Charge for a Sustainable Fashion Future

Artist Darshani Patel of Thread Revival Collective, weaves together jute, wool, and other organic fibers, on a large loom. She then shapes these woven pieces into organic creations that evoke natural forms and unique textures. (Image credit: heartfullness.org)

In South Asia, Ananya Patel of India’s Thread Revival Collective integrates environmental and economic sustainability by training rural women, like Darshini Patel, to transform discarded textiles into marketable goods. Her enterprise bridges the informal economy with global fashion markets, demonstrating how circular production systems can align with poverty alleviation and women’s empowerment. Patel’s organization provides living wages and skills development, contributing to both gender equity and resource conservation.

Collectively, these examples highlight a growing paradigm in which women redefine leadership through relational, community‑centered models rather than hierarchical structures. Their work embodies ecofeminist principles that link the care of people and planet, challenging patriarchal and extractive systems long embedded in industrial fashion.

Immigrant Women in the United States Drive Sustainability

Maria Torres, creator of the fast-growing immigrant-owned sustainable fashion boutique — Marian Style. (Image credit: Latinfashionweek.com)

Maria Torres, a Salvadorian‑American designer based in Los Angeles, approaches sustainability through material innovation and collaborative supply chains. Her collections utilize plant‑based alternatives such as cactus leather and organic cotton sourced from women’s cooperatives in Oaxaca. This model exemplifies sustainable economics, redistributing value along the supply chain while reducing dependence on petroleum-based synthetics. Torres’s work also foregrounds the intersectionality of sustainability, recognizing that environmental accountability cannot be separated from social justice and labor equity.

American & European Matriarch’s of Fashion’s Sustainable Movement

Early adopters of the sustainable movement in fashion: Eileen Fisher, Mara Hoffman and Stella McCartney. (Image credit: Vogue.com)

In the U.S., sustainable design has evolved from a niche pursuit to a powerful movement shaped largely by women innovators. Designers such as Eileen Fisher pioneered circular fashion systems, extending the life of garments through repair and resale programs. Her model inspired many of us to question not only how our products are made but what happens to them after purchase. Similarly, Mara Hoffman’s commitment to transparency and regenerative fibers has shown that sustainability can coexist with commercial viability and aesthetic excellence. For emerging American designers, these examples offered both blueprint and challenge: to design garments that meet ethical, environmental, and emotional needs simultaneously.

University of Fashion’s Female Contributors to Fashion Sustainability

UoF’s Sustainable Design Series taught by Noor Bchara (Image credit: University of Fashion)

The University of Fashion has long demonstrated leadership in advancing the discipline’s commitment to sustainability through its comprehensive collection of instructional lessons led by distinguished fashion educators. Among these experts is Noor Bchara, founder of the Upcycle Design School and a recognized authority in sustainable fashion practices. Bchara has developed three foundational courses for the University of Fashion: Introduction to Sustainable Design, Sustainable Materials for Fashion Design, and Designing, Producing, and Marketing a Sustainable Collection—each designed to equip emerging designers with the knowledge and methodologies essential for responsible creative practice.

In addition to her pedagogical contributions, Bchara is an Alumna of the Arts Envoy Program, through which she collaborates with the U.S. Department of State to promote upcycling and circular design principles internationally. Her expertise is widely recognized, as evidenced by her frequent lectures at major art and fashion institutions and her participation in prominent global industry events.

Kromagnon was born in 2012 when Kristen Loung toured several textile factories in France and Italy with fellow FIT students. She began researching sustainable fabrics and practices through a scientific lens informed by her Pre-Med background at NYU. Applying an analytical approach, she examined the environmental trade-offs of various materials, discovering that even sustainably sourced fabrics often require extensive chemical processing. Her investigation culminated in a deep understanding of sustainable textile production, enabling her to source ethically aligned suppliers and manufacturers, insights that laid the foundation for Kromagnon, a brand dedicated to responsible and innovative fashion design.

Love is Mighty was a New York based luxury footwear and accessories brand committed to sustainability, Artisanal Craftsmanship and Cruelty-Free fashion. Monisha Raja, Founder and Creative Director, is a graduate of Parsons School of Design and the recipient of the P.E.T.A. Fashion Award for her dedication to Animals and Fashion. The company was dedicated to creating products that showcased an exceptional combination of modern design, innovation and ancient mastery, through collaborations with semi-nomadic tribes of the world.

Parron Allen, while not a female designer, he is worth mentioning here. Parron’s design practice embodies a harmonious dialogue between whimsy and functionality, articulating a distinctly contemporary aesthetic voice. Through his work, he reclaims the practice of upcycling as a cultural and ancestral homage to his Mississippi roots, transforming fabric remnants, discarded textiles, and thrifted garments into inventive, narrative-driven collections. Before establishing his eponymous brand in 2021, Parron Allen pursued formal design studies in both the United States and the United Kingdom and refined his technical and creative expertise at notable fashion houses including Vera Wang, Ellen Tracy, and Rebecca Taylor.

Eco Textiles is taught by Carol Brathwaite who served as an Adjunct Instructor at New York City College of Technology (City Tech), where she taught courses in textiles and fashion marketing. Drawing on over ten years of experience as a Senior Technician in Con Edison’s Chemical and Environmental Laboratory in New York, her lesson examines key innovations and contemporary developments in sustainable textile production and associated best practices and addresses ongoing efforts to reduce the environmental impact of textile manufacture, use and disposal, and considers the prospective trajectory of the global fashion industry as it continues to evolve toward greater ecological responsibility and awareness.

In Summary

From South Asia to the United States and Europe, women are redefining what it means to lead in fashion by merging creativity with conscience. Their work advances a model of sustainability that values people as much as the planet, one rooted in equity, education, and cultural continuity. Whether training rural artisans, developing next‑generation materials, or teaching the next wave of designers, these leaders are weaving a new narrative of fashion that is circular, ethical, and inclusive. Collectively, they embody the ethos of Women’s History Month 2026: not simply participating in change, but leading it, stitch by stitch, community by community.

Tick Tock — time’s running out!

Francesca Sterlacci - December 20, 2025 - Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Education, Fashion School, Holiday Gift Subscription, Special Offer

Still looking for that unique holiday gift? This holiday, why not give the gift of fashion education—because learning never goes out of style. Or better yet, treat yourself to a little creative indulgence. University of Fashion is wrapping up something special! As the first and largest online fashion education video library in the industry, we’re thrilled to announce our once-a-year holiday sale but hurry, the sale ends January 3, 2026.

With 13 fashion disciplines and over 550 instructional videos taught by top industry professionals, the gift of a UoF subscription is a true style statement. Give it to an aspiring designer, a fashion student, a creative ready to upskill, or that person in your life who’s just fashion-curious. They’ll learn what it takes to shine as a designer for menswear, womenswear, or children’s wear, or explore exciting paths like fashion retailing, museum curation, visual merchandising, and entrepreneurship.

Even if they’d rather binge-watch than pattern-draft, they can pop some popcorn, sit back, and immerse themselves in the world of style—all guided by the experts. It’s the perfect gift for your favorite fashionista… or the perfect excuse to treat yourself!

Oh, and did you know we now offer a Certificate of Completion for every lesson you complete…free of charge?

Are You Currently a Monthly Subscriber or Free Member?

If you are already a monthly subscriber or a free member to University of Fashion, you can also take advantage of our promo sale. Just login as usual, then look to the left and click “Upgrade to monthly (or Yearly) Subscription (Special Holiday Rate)” and use our promo code.

Here’s How to Purchase a Gift Certificate

The best way to create a gift subscription for someone is buy the subscription for yourself and then simply give the other person your subscription’s login credentials. Here’s the process in more detail:

Click the “Sign-up” button at the top of any page at https://www.UniversityofFashion.com, then click “Order Now” under either “ Monthly” or “ Yearly”.
Fill out the order form that appears using your own name, email and address. However, when the form asks you to choose a username and password, choose a username appropriate for the gift recipient. For example, if you’re giving the gift subscription to someone named, Sally Jones, create a username like “sjones”.
Use your credit card or PayPal to pay for the subscription.
Now for the fun part! Give your gift recipient the username and password you created and tell them to login. Once logged in, tell them to look to their left on the screen, click “Edit Profile” (under Membership Management) and change their account’s name, email address and/or password to whatever they want.
Scan, fill and print out or take a screen shot of the gift certificate template that applies and voila! Easy peasy!

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Category "Fashion Education"

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Tracy Vollbrecht Interview

To learn more about Tracy Vollbrecht:

Learn More About the Adaptive Market

So, tell us, how will you be pursuing a career in the Adaptive Fashion market?

Immigrant Women in the United States Drive Sustainability

American & European Matriarch’s of Fashion’s Sustainable Movement

University of Fashion’s Female Contributors to Fashion Sustainability

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