More than 50 children explored the world of fashion technology this summer at a camp organized by the Department of Apparel Merchandising & Management.
The children, ages 9 and up, attended one of four week-long sessions at the camp between mid-June and mid-July.
The camp was designed to provide the children with a creative learning environment, using real-world tools and technology used in the fashion industry.
They participated in activities that taught them common garment-making skills, but also exposed them to technology currently used in the industry, as well as providing them with tangible projects they could complete at the camp.
Among the common skills the camp participants learned were creating fashion illustrations, threading needles, sewing buttons, and basic stitches, including embroidery. They also worked with sewing machines and learned their basic operations. In addition, the children learned how to drape designs manually on half-scale dress forms.
On the technology side, they used the WGSN consumer trend service to create fashion forecasts. The children employed graphic design software to make mood boards, pockets, 3D patterns, floorplans and window displays and to practice digital draping. They worked with AI to create photo renderings of their sketches. They also learned about body scanners and experimented with virtual reality goggles.
The projects they worked on included making tie-dyed t-shirts; friendship bracelets; custom patches printed on a direct-to-garment printer; a half-scaled pullover top; and tote bags decorated and embroidered with their initials. The children also tried upcycling garments and participated in a fashion show and exhibition during the camp.
The students came from a variety of local school districts, from West Covina to Etiwanda and Ontario/Montclair.