The International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) hosted its annual conference virtually for the second time from November 3rd through November 6th, 2021. The theme of this year’s conference was “Breaking Boundaries,” to represent the new platform of the conference as well as the boundaries that researchers have tested to produce innovative ideas, make industry partners, and enact positive change as we move toward a brighter future.
Faculty and students in the Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies (CARS) department have worked tirelessly throughout the year to prepare to present a total of 25 research papers and designs at the conference. CARS PhD students Farimah Bayat and Farhan Haque even received awards for their work on the following:
- Paper of Distinction Award: Social/Psychological Aspects (SPA) –Just Say “No” to Compulsory Hijab: Exploring the Motivations and Meanings of Bad-Hijabi in Iran; Farimah Bayat and Nancy Hodges, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Student Best Paper Award, Masters Level, 1st Place: Consumer’ Evaluation of Sustainable Industrial Practices in the Textiles and Apparel Industry; Farhan Haque, University of North Carolina Greensboro; Haesun Park-Poaps, Ohio University
In addition to the two research papers above, CARS faculty and students presented the following at the conference:
- Millennial Consumers and Their Purchase Intention of Sustainable Apparel: The Mediating Role of Consumer Concern; Jin Su, University of North Carolina Greensboro; Youngdeok (Young) Lee, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Kerri Byrd, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Technology Adoption in the Apparel Industry of Bangladesh: A Qualitative Case Study; Md Arif Iqbal and Jin Su, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Being Real About Teaching Virtual: Comparing Academic and Industry Views on Technology Integration and Skill Development; Nancy Hodges and Kittichai Watchravesringkan, University of North Carolina Greensboro; Ruoh-Nan (Terry) Yan, Colorado State University; Hyo Jung (Julie) Chang, Texas Tech University; Charlotte Maurno, University of North Carolina Greensboro; Jared Tarzian, Colorado State University, Nasir Rakib, Texas Tech University
- Exploring Sustainable Sourcing in the Apparel Industry: Perspectives from Bangladesh and China; Jin Su, Nancy Hodges, Huicheng (Jeff) Wu, and Md Arif Iqbal, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Bangladeshi Young Consumers and Sustainable Apparel; Jin Su, Md Arif Iqbal, and Farhan Haque, University of North Carolina Greensboro; Maeen Md. Khairul Akter, Bangladesh University of Textiles
- The Effect of an Apparel Sustainability Index: A Conceptual Model and Propositional Inventory; Annie Williams, Nancy Hodges, and Kittichai Warchravesringkan, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Rethinking Global Textile and Apparel Supply Chain Management: Considering the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic; Jin Su, Nancy Hodges, Huicheng (Jeff) Wu, and Md. Arif Iqbal, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Integrating Sustainability in a Garment Construction Course; Melanie Carrico, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- An Application of Grounded Theory to Develop a Typology of Sustainable Apparel Consumer; Elena Karpova and Farimah Bayat, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Are Cosmopolitans Into Sustainable Apparel?; Maria S. Gil, Jin Su, Vasyl Taras, and Kittichai (Tu) Watchravesringkan, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Understanding Chinese Young Consumers’ Acceptance of Clothing Subscription Rental Service; Huicheng (Jeff) Wu and Mon Thu Myin, University of North Carolina Greensboro; Haina Shen, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University; Jin Su, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Inclusive Apparel, Design Framework for Accommodating Clothing Needs of People with Different Levels of Reach, Dexterity, and Mobility Capabilities; Sunhyung Cho, Iowa State University; Elena Karpova, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Because I’m Worth It: An Exploration of Consumer Perceived Values in the Self-Gifting Experience; Sukyung Seo, Nancy Hodges, and Jin Su, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Coping With the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis by Self-Gifting: A Conceptual Framework; Sukyung Seo, Jin Su, and Nancy Hodges, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- The Impact of Retailers’ Bankruptcy Filing on Consumer Perceptions of Behaviors; Xiao Tong, University of Alabama; Jin Su, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Exploring How People Express Their Identities During the COVID-19 Pandemic; Haeun (Grace) Bang and Carol Brathwaite, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Motivations for Mask Making and Donating; Melanie Carrico, Haeun (Grace) Bang, and Carol Brathwaite, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Examining the Impact of Buyer Power on Supply Chain Performance: The Mediating Effect of Supplier Satisfaction; Huicheng (Jeff) Wu, Jin Su, and Nancy Hodges, University of North Carolina Greensboro.
- Role of Consumer Traits on Intention to Use Virtual Wardrobe; Haeun (Grace) Bang and Jin Su, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Holistic Sensory Evaluation Method for Assessment of Novel Materials and Apparel Products; Armine Ghalachyan, Washington State University; Elena Karpova, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- An Ethnographic Study of Collaborative Consumption: Examining Clothing Swapping; Elena Karpova, University of North Carolina Greensboro; Iva Jestratijevic, University of North Texas; JuYoung Lee, Mississippi State University; Juanjuan Wu, University of Minnesota
In addition to research, faculty and students also presented the following design submissions for categories including Making Ready-To-Wear Innovative and Sustainable, Surface Design, and Unique Patternmaking.
- (Undergraduate Designs/Making Ready to Wear Innovative ) Hyperhidrosis and Fashion: A Deeper Look Into an Underserved Market Segment Isabella Whitehead, University of North Carolina Greensboro; Mentor: Melanie Carrico, University of North Carolina Greensboro
- (Professional Design/Sustainability, Surface Design, and Unique Patternmaking) Amethyst Evolution: Zero Waste Activewear for Multiple Sizes Melanie Carrico, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Congratulations to our faculty and students on their outcomes and accolades at the biggest textile and apparel academic event of the year. We look forward to ITAA next year with the hope of seeing our colleagues face to face in Denver, CO for 2022!
