ROSEVILLE, MN – May 1, 2025 – The Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) hosted its 7th annual Women in Textiles Summit from March 31 to April 2 at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. With 140 attendees gathering in the heart of Manhattan, the event offered two days of insightful discussions, networking opportunities, workshops, and confidence-building sessions.
The summit kicked off with a welcome reception, giving the more than 80 first-time attendees a chance to network and establish connections before the main proceedings began. Shanya Scott from AATCC shared her perspective on the experience, stating, “As a first-time attendee and as someone newer to the textile industry, it was a truly invaluable experience! The conference fostered intentional networking and deeper conversations throughout each day.”
FIT, located in the vibrant Chelsea neighborhood, provided an inspiring venue for the event. The summit’s emcee and presenter, Tina VanSteenbergen, opened the program with a session titled “Debunking the Confidence Myth.” She encouraged attendees to rethink confidence as a spectrum rather than a binary trait, setting the tone for the engaging sessions to follow. Topics throughout the summit ranged from sustainability practices and imposter syndrome to bridging the gap between academia and the textile industry. Samantha Marion from TVF, Inc., expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “[I] really enjoyed each session. I’ll be taking home so many new tools and friends.”
Industry-focused sessions were a key highlight, including a presentation by Christina Rapa, a textile engineer from W.L. Gore & Associates, on how 3D design software can enhance prototyping and innovation. Jasmine Cox-Wade of the Textile Technology Center at Gaston College led discussions on sustainability, featuring insights into how three companies in attendance are driving eco-friendly practices within the textile sector.
FIT also organized interactive workshops that became one of the summit’s standout features. Participants explored natural dye techniques in the FIT natural dye garden, experimented with weaving using recycled materials, and learned how to infuse scents into fabric. “I loved the FIT workshops [and] hands-on ways to learn more we don’t always have exposure to,” said Lindsey Hynek from Lectra.
Networking opportunities were woven throughout the event, from student poster presentations to active discussions during receptions. This year, FIT students were invited to participate in sessions, offering them a chance to engage with professionals and gain valuable insights into the industry. Andie Zion, one of the FIT student attendees, shared, “I really enjoyed the education panels and discussions. I also got a lot out of the networking and speaking to many strong and empowering women!”
Day two opened with a thought-provoking session on turning competition into collaboration and fostering supportive relationships among women in the workplace. Later, a panel titled “Beyond the Runway: Bridging Industry and Academia in Textiles” brought together textile professionals, recent graduates, and FIT faculty to discuss how the industry can better guide students into their careers. The day concluded with a motivating talk by Nicole Meier, an FIT alumna and Director of Product Marketing at Pantone, who reminded attendees to embrace their intuition, calling it a professional superpower.
To gauge the participants’ experience, the summit began and ended with a Word Cloud activity, capturing attendees’ feelings as they entered and left the event. By the close of the summit, words like “community,” “inspiration,” “confidence,” and “connection” stood out, reflecting the positive impact the event had on participants.
As summarized by Shanya Scott, “I was able to learn from so many women across sectors, generations, and years of experience. I recommend anyone attend who’s looking for comradery, guidance, and building connections with supportive women in the textile industry. Can’t wait for the next one!”
The Women in Textiles Summit once again proved to be an empowering platform that fosters growth, collaboration, and inspiration for professionals at every stage of their careers.
