Professional Clothing Student Design Contest Underway, Sponsored by Carrington Textiles
PCA VISION, the internationally renowned student design competition for professional clothing, is currently underway with 4 finalists producing designs with the support of Fabric Sponsor Carrington Textiles, the Premier Sponsor of the whole PCIAW® Summit, Exhibition & Awards.
On 7-9 November 2023, it will be the first time the Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW®) annual event is being hosted in Portugal and will be located at the award-winning venue – Alfandega Congress Centre, Porto, Portugal – on the bank of the iconic Douro River.
The annual PCIAW® Summit, Exhibition & Awards is an educational, networking event dedicated to the international supply chain for the uniform, workwear and personal protective equipment (PPE) markets.
As the Premier Sponsor for 2023, Carrington Textiles specialises in the development of high-performance fabrics for use in demanding workplace environments, exporting to more than 80 countries worldwide. The company’s expertise also translates into the Fabric Sponsorship for PCA VISION, as entrants need reliable, durable, and colour-fast materials to make their garments both functional and stylish for the competition.
The PCA VISION Ceremony will take place on the 9th of November 2023 as part of the PCIAW® Awards’ evening of entertainment, with a fashion show modelling all of the finalist garments and the announcement of the winner.
The PCIAW® is delighted to announce the 4 PCA VISION finalists, each with unique designs that speak to the creative potential in the next generation of professional clothing:
Connor Read
Based on the needs of wildlife conservationists, this design utilises waterproof materials and design elements to ensure conservationists have both the movement necessary for taking observations while also utilising waterproof fabrics to keep scientists dry and comfortable. The jacket also includes a mosquito belay net, and the fabric would be made of recycled bottles reclaimed from the ocean.
Sarah Young
This corporatewear design is based on a system of modular elements which can be zipped and unzipped to add or remove length, while additional panels can be used to tighten the garment to fit the wearer’s shape. The design is gender-neutral due to its high customizability and form-fitting design, while it remains sustainable due to the compostable fabrics and novel combinations.
Megan Dyson
Inspired by the swarms of yellow taxis and sharp edges of the New York City skyline, this corporatewear design represents a functional and sleek suit design. The suit will be cut from deadstock material to make the garment environmentally friendly, while the design includes all the pockets and vents necessary to make the garment practical.
Sophie Woodliffe
Designing Workwear for air traffic control (ATC) ground crew, Sophie has combined modern comfortable styles with all the practical elements needed to keep ATC crew safe. The garments are deconstructable for recyclability using sew-on reflective strips and recycled polymer. Elasticated drawstrings, zip guards, and Velcro are used at the openings to keep wearers safe and the garments clean.
The PCIAW® Summit, Exhibition & Awards event takes place over three days from 7 – 9 November 2023.
- 7 November – Textile and apparel factory tours for delegates arranged by ANIVEC the Portuguese association for clothing and apparel, who is a long-term partner of PCIAW®.
- 8 November – PCIAW® Summit Part 1 begins at 9:00am until 1:30pm followed by a networking lunch. The PCIAW® Exhibition begins at 1:30pm until 5:00pm.
- 9 November – PCIAW® Summit Part 2 begins at 9:00am until 1:30pm. The PCIAW® Exhibition begins at 1:00pm until 4:00pm.
- 9 November – PCIAW® Awards begins with a champagne reception at 6:00pm followed by a three-course gala dinner. The PCIAW® Awards ceremony begins at 7:30pm until 10:00pm, complete with an evening of networking and entertainment.
Buy tickets to the PCIAW® Summit, Exhibition & Awards 2023 today.
