Registration is Open for Univ. of Rhode Island Spring Splash: Virtually Yours

A Virtual Student Fashion Event

It's the event of year! The University of Rhode Island Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design ("TMD") cordially invites you to Spring Splash: Virtually Yours on Sunday, April 25 at 5:00pm.

Traditionally a runway show debuting one-of-a-kind apparel designed by talented TMD students, this year you will be treated to an unforgettable virtual show with expanded content. This will include a behind-the-scenes look at the department, the historic textiles collection, and garments designed and made by the students.

The event is open to all and free to attend. Register and you will receive a link to join the week prior.

White House COVID-19 response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx commends URI’s response to pandemic

On October 8, 2020, Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, praised University of Rhode Island leaders for their months of preparation that led to a flexible response to the COVID-19 pandemic during her visit to the Kingston Campus.

Read more HERE.

Spring Splash 2018

Join students and faculty from the Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design for Spring Splash 2018, an exciting evening debuting one-of-a-kind apparel designed by our talented TMD students. Take in the show while enjoying complimentary hors d'oeuvres in an elegant setting.

For more information, to sign up to attend this fabulous event, or for sponsorship opportunities, CLICK HERE.

"I am AATCC" with Shout-out to URI and UMass

URI Student Fashion Show

Last Saturday, April 23rd, the Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design ("TMD"), University of Rhode Island, held Spring the Splash Fashion Show 2016 "Poly-Fashion," showcasing fashions designed and created by TMD students. Agathon Associates is pleased to have been one the sponsors of this fabulous event, which can be viewed at http://livestream.com/universityofrhodeisland/fashionshow, and is especially pleased to see Amy DeBlasio, one of the David Trumbull's fall 2015 textile markets TMD course, chosen for the competitive event. Last year's Spring Splash can be viewed at http://livestream.com/accounts/4896157/splash2015/videos/83512688.

URI Presents PolyFashion SpringSlash 2016

The University of Rhode Island Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design Department and the Textile Advisory Board invites you to attend PolyFashion SpringSplash 2016, student fashion show and awards. For more information contact David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.

Inspector General Finds Naval Contracting Personnel Let Non-Berry Compliant Textiles and Other Acquisitions Slip Through

Thanks to Steve Warner at the BeaverLake 6 Report for alerting us that on August 12, 2015, the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense, issued report DODIG-2015-161 Naval Personnel Can Improve Compliance With the Berry Amendment and the Buy American Act. Among the findings--

"Naval contracting personnel did not consistently comply with the Berry Amendment for 11 of the 23 contracts reviewed. Contracting personnel did not assess whether suppliers could provide U.S.-produced items and omitted the Berry Amendment contract clause because they were not familiar with the Berry Amendment. Navy personnel allowed a contractor operating a logistics support program to sell non-U.S. made items because the contracting officer did not ensure the contractor was stocking items compliant with the Berry Amendment. ...

Contracting personnel...permitted the substitution of non-U.S. produced synthetic fabric on a contract because the contracting officer misinterpreted a DFARS exception to the Berry Amendment, which allows the substitution of incremental amounts of natural fiber."

Clients of Agathon Associates, subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service, and students in TMD 433 at the University of Rhode Island can learn more about the Berry Amendment at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/berry/. You will need to enter your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.

Become a Sponsor of Univ. of Rhode Island Textile "Spring Splash"

The Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design Department ("TMD") and the Textile Advisory Board at the University of Rhode Island invite you to become a sponsor of Spring Splash 2015: Designers in Bloom, to be held on Friday, April 10, 2015.

For more than ten years, Spring Splash has raised funds to support student scholarships and activities directly related to the education of TMD students. Outstanding alums and industry partners are recognized, scholarships awarded, and fashion show winners selected. As attendees from years past will attest, it is a truly fun night for everyone involved and is a great benefit to the graduate students, graduating seniors, and continuing undergraduates. This year, the evening begins with a cocktail reception and dinner and culminates with a fashion show and awards ceremony. Textile, Fashion Merchandising and Design students work with faculty to organize the entire event. The design students present their spring lines of fashion, which they work on all year, independent of formal classes!

Fellow students volunteer as models. In addition, other academic achievements within the TMD program are highlighted. The audience will have the opportunity to assist in the selection of awardees!

The TMD Department offers two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in Textile Marketing and the other in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design, as well as a Master of Science degree. TMD provides a university experience along with specialized education in the design, production and merchandising of textile and fashion products.

Approximately 300 students are enrolled in the programs and come from all over the country and abroad. Students do international internships in China, France, Italy, Great Britain, as well as New York and Los Angeles. Many successful textile and fashion companies hire our graduates because they value the exceptional caliber of TMD students and the quality of the education we provide.

To ensure the success of Spring Splash 2015 and future TMD student-centered programming and scholarships, the Textile Advisory Board, of which David Trumbull, principal, Agathon Associates, is a member, seeks sponsors at four levels. The benefits afforded to sponsors at each level are detailed below attachment. Beyond the tangible benefits, however, is the satisfaction of helping to develop future professionals in the textile, apparel and merchandising industries.

Please contact Dr. Susan Hannel, Department Chair, at shannel@uri.edu or 401.874.2882, or Karin Conopask, Director of Development for the College of Human Science and Services, at kconopask@uri.edu or 401-874-5745 for additional information about becoming a sponsor.

2015 Spring Splash – Sponsorship Levels

Runway Star- $5,000 +

• Your name and/or logo prominently displayed on event program.
• Recognition in press releases and event flyers as a major event sponsor
• Six guests to reception, dinner and show
• One award (prize) named for the sponsor

Fashionista- $2,500 +

• Your name and/or logo displayed on the event program
• Recognition in press releases and event flyers as an event sponsor
• Four guests to reception, dinner and event
• One award (prize) named for the sponsor

Designer- $1,000 +

• Your name and/or logo displayed in the event program
• Recognition in press releases and event flyers as an event sponsor
• Two guests to reception, dinner and show

Stylist- $250 +

• Name on event program
• Recognition in press releases and event flyers as an event sponsor
• One guest to reception, dinner and show

Textile Program at Univ. of Rhode Island Endorsed by Apparel and Footwear Group

The University of Rhode Island program in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design ("TMD") was recently endorsed by the American Apparel and Footwear Association ("AAFA"). Other schools endorsed by the AAFA can be found here at www.wewear.org/industry-resources/aafa-endorsed-schools-and-universities. Endorsement means TMD students will be eligible for scholarships through the Fashion Scholarship Fund. See this link: fashionscholarshipfund.org/scholarships.