Technical apparel design students from the Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University are getting ready to showcase creations that can improve life for their wearers.
From protective jackets for arborists to equestrian jumping armour or rain jackets that cover from head to toe, the innovative designs on display at the Technical Apparel Design Grad Exhibit 2018 mix purpose, technology and fashion.
“The Technical Apparel Design Grad Exhibition is an opportunity for students to show industry, friends and family the unique depth of learning and exploration that they have undertaken at the Wilson School of Design,” says Dan Robinson, an instructor at the Wilson School of Design.
“It is a celebration of their journey and of their future potential. Our grads are the designers of the future in technical apparel.”
Students created concepts, designs, and prototypes earlier this semester and brought their vision to life in Hanoi, Vietnam, at Maxport Limited, a global leader in technical apparel manufacturing. The students worked directly with Maxport’s expert research and development team to advance their prototypes. Their direct access to leading edge technology and one-on-one mentorship accelerated their capstone projects and deepened their understanding of the range of possibilities in technical apparel design.
“Our gratitude goes to Chip and Shannon Wilson and Jef Stokes, owner of Maxport Limited, and his team for making this experience possible for our students,” says Carolyn Robertson, dean of the Wilson School of Design.
The eleven graduates hail from across Canada and around the world, bringing their unique perspectives and design ideas to fruition at the school. Some notable projects include:
- Cycling jacket with barcodes for driverless cars to detect them
- A rain jacket with panels that keep the wearer’s whole body dry
- Body armour for equestrian jumping
- Protective jacket for arborists
- Indoor climbing pants for competitive climbers
“This graduating class is an exemplary group. They represent such a diverse range of backgrounds and interests, but all have developed innovative, user-driven design solutions. We are very excited to unveil their work at the upcoming exhibit,” says Robertson.
The students will showcase their innovative capstone design pieces December 6 at 6 p.m. in room 4900 at the Wilson School of Design at the KPU Richmond campus. Interested attendees are required to register for the free event.