The exclusive interview series intends to provide audiences of the website (particularly students enrolled in FASH455) with a big-picture vision, first-hand insightful observation, and timely updates on the global textile & apparel industry from government policymakers, industry leaders, and leading scholars in the field. The series also helps students better understand career opportunities related to sourcing, trade, compliance, and supply chain management in the fashion apparel industry.
Mikayla Dubreuil is a 3D technical designer at Spirit Halloween. She previously held technical design positions at Under Armour, Marena, Anthropologie (URBN), and Lee & Wrangler. Mikayla graduated from the University of Delaware (UD) with a Master of Science in Fashion and Apparel Studies. She also graduated from UD with a Bachelor’s Science in Apparel Design in 2018. Mikayla’s master’s thesis Traditional vs. big-data fashion trend forecasting: An examination using WGSN and EDITED was published in the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education and has been cited by more than 100 other scholarly papers. Click HERE for the interview.
Nicole Bivens Collinson is the Managing Principal and Practice Leader of International Trade and Government Relations with Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. (ST&R). Nicole has nearly 40 years of experience in government and public affairs and lobbying. She prepares countries, companies, and associations for negotiations with the United States on free trade agreements, trade and investment agreements, labor disputes, and preferential trade programs. Click HERE for the interview.
Shannon Brady is the Import and Product Operations Manager at LoveShackFancy. With over four years of experience in product development and sourcing, she specializes in driving vendor performance, optimizing supply chains, and leading cross-functional initiatives. Before her current role, she worked for the U.S. Fashion Industry Association in Washington, D.C., and then joined Party City as a Sourcing Operations Manager. Click HERE for the interview.
Karin De León is the Investment and Promotion Director at the Apparel and Textiles Association of Guatemala (VESTEX), where she coordinates the inter-institutional relationship with government entities of the United States (such as the United States Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce) as well as private institutions mainly related to the United States, Mexico, and Colombia. Click HERE for the interview.
Matthias Knappe is the Head of Fibres, Textiles and Clothing Unit at the International Trade Centre (ITC), which is co-run by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN). Matthias has over 30 years of diversified professional experience in international trade and development. He has worked at the enterprise, institutional, and governmental levels. Click HERE for the interview.
Ally Botwinick is a Textile Assistant at The Kasper Group. She graduated from the Master of Science program in Fashion and Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware (UD) in 2023. She also received her Bachelor of Science in Apparel Design and Fashion Merchandising from UD. Ally is the author of several research papers on fashion companies’ sourcing strategies for sustainable products. Click HERE for the interview.
Hannah Laurits is a Textile Lab Fabric Coordinator at Swim USA. She graduated from the Master of Science program in Fashion and Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware (UD) in 2024. She also received her Bachelor of Science in Apparel Design and Fashion Merchandising from UD. Hannah is the author of several research papers on adaptive apparel and sustainable textiles. She also taught FASH133 Foundations for Fashion Innovation as a graduate instructor. Click HERE for the interview.
Jillian Silverman is an Associate Trim Specialist at Lands’ End, based in Madison, Wisconsin. She earned an Honors degree in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Environmental Humanities from the University of Delaware in 2016. She later completed her Master’s degree in Fashion and Apparel Studies in 2018, focusing on sustainable material development. Her research, which explored the use of mushrooms as a primary material for footwear, gained national media attention. Click HERE for the interview.
Fashion companies are composed of “people” who make sourcing decisions and establish social responsibility criteria. Thus, Gen Z’s knowledge, vision, and passion are essential in shaping the future of the fashion industry and its due diligence practices. This OECD side session addresses the gap between industry demands and Gen Z’s educational preparation, advocating for increased support and investment in the next generation of professionals who will define due diligence in the garment industry for decades to come.
Watch the event recording HERE. The session features:
- Matthias Knappe, Head of Fibres, Textiles and Clothing Unit, International Trade Center
- Laurie Rando, Senior Director of Sustainable Product and Human Rights, Macy’s
- Julia Hughes, President, United States Fashion Industry Association
- Megan Dawson-Elli, Manager of Product Sustainability, Tapestry
- Sheng Lu, Professor & Graduate Director, Fashion and Apparel Studies, University of Delaware
- Emilie Delaye, Master’s Student, Fashion and Apparel Studies, University of Delaware
Michael Lambert is the Executive Director of Global Trade and Compliance at Urban Outfitters (URBN). He also serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA). Michael has spent over 30 years in the retail fashion business, primarily in the import/export and Customs compliance area. Click HERE for the interview.
Natalie Kaucic is a Merchandising professional currently in the role of Global Merchant for Dockers Men’s Tops at Levi Strauss & Co. She graduated from the University of Delaware in 2019 with a Fashion Merchandising Degree and Business Admin minor. During her studies, she was awarded the Fashion Scholarship Fund scholarship, studied at John Cabot in Rome, participated in the Disney College Program, and was a leader for the Delaware Diplomats. Click HERE for the interview.
Tricia Carey is the Chief Commercial Officer of Renewcell. In the interview, Tricia shared her insights on the opportunities and challenges of promoting textile recycling and the circular fashion business model and the complex implications for apparel sourcing and supply chain management. Click HERE for the interview.
Abby Edge is the Product Development associate at Eileen Fisher, where she supports key initiatives in sourcing and sustainability. She graduated from the University of Delaware (UD) in 2020 with a degree in Fashion Merchandising. During her time at UD, she developed a passion for sustainable sourcing and social responsibility, which led her to pursue a career with a company that aligns with these values. Click HERE for the interview.
Megan Dawson-Elli is the Product Sustainability Manager at Tapestry, where she leads their work on product impact, environmentally preferred materials, and circularity. She graduated from the University of Delaware (UD) in 2016 with a degree in Fashion Merchandising. In the interview, Megan shared her insights on Tapestry’s sustainability efforts, fashion companies’ latest practices related to sustainable sourcing, and valuable career advice. Click HERE for the interview.
Julianna Alfieri is the Senior Global Sourcing Specialist for Amscan, which serves over 40,000 retail outlets across the globe and owns Party City Holdings Inc. In the interview, Julianna shared valuable information about how sourcing works in the real world, sustainable sourcing, and other evolving sourcing trends, and her career development reflections. Click HERE for the interview.
Jennifer Pisula is a Fabric Sourcing Manager at QVC. Jennifer is also a member of the Cotton Board, appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. In the interview, Jennifer shared her insights about why fabric sourcing matters to fashion companies and the latest industry trends related to fabric sourcing. Click HERE for the interview.
Beth Hughes is the Vice President of the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), responsible for supporting the association’s efforts on international trade and customs issues. Beth oversees AAFA’s Trade Policy Committee, as well as AAFA’s Customs Group. Beth is also the spokesperson of the Coalition for Economic Partnership in the Americas (CEPA), a group of prominent American companies, and manufacturers committed to advancing regional trade and employment opportunities in the Western Hemisphere. In the interview, Beth discussed the latest US apparel sourcing trends from Central America, the utilization of the Central Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) in apparel sourcing, and the impact of apparel-specific rules of origin in fashion companies’ sourcing decisions. Click HERE for the interview.
Julia K. Hughes is the President of the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA). In the interview, Julia shared her insights on fashion companies’ evolving sourcing strategies, current events related to apparel sourcing and trade, and fashion companies’ sustainability efforts. Click HERE for the interview.
Emma Zuckerman, Technical Designer at Nike, shared her great insights about the technical aspects of apparel sourcing and product development. Before joining Nike, Emma was a technical designer for Under Armour and played a significant role in the launch of Curry Brand and the introduction of UA’s first inline women’s basketball apparel line (non-uniform). Click HERE for the interview.
Hannah Laurits is a master’s student in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies (FASH) at the University of Delaware (FASH). She also received her B.S. from UD & FASH with a double major in apparel design and fashion merchandising and management. During the summer of 2023, Hannah had the exceptional opportunity to work as a sourcing intern for Haddad Brands in New York City. In the interview, Hannah shared her reflections on this incredible internship experience. Click HERE for the interview.
Elizabeth Davelaar is a Co-Owner of Maker’s Way Fiber Mill in Brandon, SD, which opened in October 2021. Elizabeth began her career in the fashion industry at the University of Minnesota, where she graduated with a BS in Apparel Design from the College of Design. She then went to the University of Delaware, where she graduated with an MS in Fashion and Apparel Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Apparel Business. In the interview, Elizabeth shared the interesting stories behind running a fiber mill and her vision for the future of textiles “Made in the USA.” Click HERE for the interview.
Julianne Bartolotta is the founder and CEO of the apparel brand Julianne Bartolotta (JB). Julianne graduated from the University of Delaware with B.S. in Apparel Design and B.S. in Fashion Merchandising (class of 2018). In the interview, Julianne shared her stories about building her own apparel company and her insights about sourcing apparel “Made in Italy.” Click HERE for the interview.
Ally Botwinick is a 4+1 graduate student in fashion and apparel studies (FASH) at the University of Delaware (UD), class of 2023. She graduated from UD with a BS in Fashion Merchandising and Management in 2022. Ally is passionate about sustainability, sourcing, and supply chain issues in the fashion industry. In the interview, Ally shared her unique experience working as a policy intern for the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) in Washington, D.C. in the summer of 2022. Click HERE for the interview.
Kekeli Ahiable is a private sector development Advisor with the Tony Blair Institute’s Industrialisation Practice. In the interview, Kekeli discussed the opportunities and potential of Western Africa as an apparel sourcing base for Western fashion brands and retailers. Click HERE for the interview.
Dr. Sheng Lu joined the Modern Cotton Story Podcast and discussed the opportunities and challenges facing apparel sourcing from members of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Click HERE for the interview.
Victoria Langro was an Honors Marketing & Operations Management Majors and Fashion Management Minor (class of 2022). She was also a 2020 UD Summer Scholar. In the interview, Victoria shared her first-hand stories working with Tapestry, which owns Coach, as a global trade compliance intern. Click HERE for the interview.
Lora Merryman graduated from the University of Delaware (UD) with a Master of Science in Fashion and Apparel Studies (class of 2021). She also graduated from UD with a Bachelor’s Science in Fashion Merchandising in 2020. In the interview, Lora shared her global sourcing internship experiences with QVC. Click HERE for the interview.
Jason Prescott is the CEO of JP Communications LLC, Apparel Textile Sourcing Trade Shows, Manufacturer.com + TopTenWholesale.com, and the author of Wholesale 101. In the interview, Jason discussed the latest textile and apparel industry trends from his observations running the Apparel Textile Sourcing Show. Click HERE for the interview.
Gail Strickler served as the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Textiles (2009-2015). In the interview, Gail discussed the making of textile and apparel trade policy and the unique stories behind the negotiation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. Click HERE for the interview.
Erin Ennis served as the Senior Vice President US-China Business Council. In the interview, Erin shared her perspectives on the U.S.-China economic and trade relations and issues facing U.S. companies operating in China. Click HERE for the interview.
William L “Bill” Jasper was the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Unifi Inc. In the interview, Bill discussed the state of the U.S. textile industry and the global business strategy of Unifi Inc. Click HERE for the interview.
FASH455 Global Apparel & Textile Trade and Sourcing 