About Us

We are dedicated change makers supporting the circular economy of clothing and textile practices.
Our mission encompasses the environmental, social, cultural, and economic dimensions of our industry.
By collaborating with educators across the globe we engage students at the course level, through internships and on the job training.
We invite fellow educators and industry practitioners to share their ideas, concepts and practices, while engaging with us in shaping the sustainability practices of our clothing and textile industries.

Our Committee

Marsha Dickson
Dr. Marsha Dickson (Irma Ayers Professor, Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, University of Delaware) is internationally known for her research and teaching on socially responsible practices in the apparel industry and has been awarded Apparel Magazine's All-Star Award and the International Textile and Apparel Association's Distinguished Scholar Award and Fellow Award for that work. Her research has been conducted in several countries, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Guatemala, India, Nicaragua, Thailand, and Vietnam. Dickson recently co-founded Better Buying, an initiative that is supporting apparel suppliers and reducing risks for workers by improving purchasing practices of brands and retailers. She is founder and was President of an international consortium of Educators for Socially Responsible Apparel Practices from 2000 to 2015. Dickson is also a member of the board of directors of the Fair Labor Association, a non-governmental organization originally formed by President Clinton to address labor standards and working conditions in the apparel industry.

Janet Hethorn
Janet Hethorn is the Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. As a designer and writer, she explores various contexts and meaning of style and appearance. Projects tend to focus on the visual experiences of the viewer(s) and their formation of aesthetic meaning. Current research and creative projects examine how people respond to expressions of visual style in everyday situations and the issues that emerge from these responses. She won the initial Best Sustainable Design award at the International Textiles and Apparel design exhibition in 2006 and again in 2008 for coat designs that focused on the concept of re-use and user performance needs. As a design leader, she supports teams of scholars, students, and clients as they explore human centered and sustainable solutions to complex problems by engaging in design thinking across disciplines. Hethorn is co-author of Sustainable Fashion, What’s Next? Published in 2015 by Bloomsbury in New York.

Erin Irick
Erin Irick is an Assistant Professor of Design, Merchandising and Textiles in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Wyoming. She teaches in the Apparel Design area where she attempts to incorporate aspects of sustainability into each of her courses. Her research interests and creative scholarship focus on apparel design using repurposed and recycled materials. This includes everything from the sourcing of materials, textile design, product development to the consumer response of the final product. She believes research and creative scholarship should be applicable to the real world with the intent of bettering the lives of the citizens of the planet and the planet itself.

Young-A Lee
Dr. Young-A Lee is an associate professor of the Apparel Merchandising, Design, & Production Management program in the Department of Consumer and Design Sciences at Auburn University. Prior to join in Auburn University in 2018, Dr. Lee has worked 13 years in two different land grant institutions: Iowa State University (2008-2018) and Florida State University (2005-2008) with her strong passion and commitment to teaching, research, and service. Her research focuses on the area of design and product development with the seamless integration of innovative design technologies and sustainability practices. Her overall research stream is under the frame of "Hi-tech application to sustainable product design and development for the betterment of people and the planet." She has published more than 130 scholarly works including journal articles, book chapters, juried design exhibit abstracts, and conference proceedings. She has been the recipient of EPA P3 Award, EPA P3 Phase II Winner, Department of Justice Phase I Body Armor Challenge Award, Cotton Inc Grant, ITAA Mid-Career Excellent Award, ITAA Service Award, EFI Optitex Award for Excellence in Teaching, and many more. Her recent research focused on developing sustainable apparel-related products using novel, biodegradable cellulosic nonwoven materials as a leather alternative. She is currently working on the scale development of wearable technology in fashion, sustainability practices via Alabama Cotton AwaREness (CARE), and functional/performance wear design, development, and evaluation using emerging design technologies. She also teaches a graduate level sustainability-related course.

Tasha Lewis
Tasha Lewis, PhD., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Fiber Science & Apparel Design where she teaches in the area of fashion design management. Her research interests include the disruptive impact of technology in the apparel industry, the intersection of global and domestic apparel manufacturing issues, and the significance of social responsibility and sustainability throughout the apparel supply chain. Current research activities include development of a sustainable process for apparel reuse and evaluation of consumer perceptions towards a technology enabled, energy-saving garment. She holds a B.A. in Spanish and a M.S. in Consumer and Textile Science from The Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in Apparel Design from Cornell University. She also serves as a faculty fellow and a member of the Faculty Advisory Board of Cornell’s Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future

Michael Londrigan
Fashion industry veteran Michael P. Londrigan is an Associate Professor and Advisor to the Provost with a primary focus in teaching in LIM College’s online degree programs. Prior to this newly created position Michael was the Vice President of Academic Affairs. He was promoted to this position in January of 2017. Michael joined LIM College in 2008 as the Chair of the Fashion Merchandising Department and was promoted to Dean of Academic Affairs (undergraduate) in 2013. Michael arrived at LIM College with nearly 30 years of experience in the apparel industry focusing on retail, wholesale and textiles. He has a strong background in product development along with extensive executive sales, marketing and merchandising skills. He holds an MBA in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Michael is the author of two textbooks; Menswear: Business to Style, 2nd edition 2018 and Fashion Supply Chain Management published in 2018. He has held a number of positions throughout his career, including National Sales and Marketing Manager for Ulster Weavers, Sales Executive for Regal Menswear, Managing Director of U.S. Marketing for Cotton Incorporated, Vice President of Sales at Harper Industries, Account Executive at Oxford Industries, and Associate Menswear Buyer for J.C. Penney. He also served as Project Coordinator for Social Accountability International’s “New York City Factory of the Future Project.”

Virginia Noon
Virginia Noon, ScD., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Fashion Design and Retailing at Framingham State University in Massachusetts and teaches in the area of global trade, product development, merchandising, textiles, cultural dress, research methodology and the business of fashion. She is also the Co-Chair for ESRAP’s annual Student Merchandising Poster Competition. Virginia’s recently completed Doctoral Dissertation entitled Mauritania's Home-Based Textile and Apparel Dyeing Industry: Work, Culture, Health and the Question of Sustainability in the 21st Century investigates the home-based textile and apparel dyeing industry in Mauritania and links two fields of study: the cultural and socio-economic impacts of textile and apparel production with the field of Occupational Health and Safety. Her degree was granted from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Department of Work Environment. Virginia is a technical designer and quality assurance specialist and was employed in the textile and apparel industry for more than 25 years. She has lived, worked and traveled extensively throughout South East Asia working side by side with workers to monitor garment production on the factory floor. Her research interests include fair, healthy and safe manufacturing practices examined through a historical and cultural lens. Recent publications include Lessons Learned: A Comparison of the Textile and Apparel Industry of Early 19th-Century Lawrence and Lowell with China, a chapter in an edited text on the Great Lawrence Textile Strike of 1912 and several entries on Middle Eastern and North African dress published in Ethnic Dress in the United States

Anupama Parischa
Dr. Anupama Pasricha is a researcher, educator, facilitator, and servant leader. She has global research and teaching experience of 25 years. She currently chairs the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, and Design at St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minnesota. She also serves as the Executive Director of Educator of Socially Responsible Apparel Practices (ESRAP) and serves on the Board of Directors of the Textile Center of Minnesota, and Advisory Board of Sol Inspirations. In 2017, she received St. Catherine University's Bonnie Jean Kelly and Joan Kelly Award for Faculty Excellence for transforming the fashion and apparel curriculum to incorporate sustainability and extensive research in that area. Minnesota History Center and Cathy G. Murphy Gallery have showcased Dr. Pasricha's sustainable design collection. Her work focuses on sustainability throughout the supply chain. She is an advocate of technology, innovation, and responsible creation, use, and consumption for sustainable apparel industry. She enjoys mentoring students, building a network, and engage in meaningful industry partnerships for more significant sustainability outcomes.

Connie Ulasewicz
With a deep wonder and visceral interest in unearthing where our clothing and textile products end up when no longer wanted, Connie Ulasewicz, Ph.D, engages in teaching and learning opportunities to swell her curiosity. An author, business owner, researcher, international and community advisor, and Emeritus faculty at San Francisco State University, her career has been split between industry work and education. She continues to collaborate, cbuproductions.com, with others in writing, speaking and video productions aimed at understanding the importance of textile and clothing products and the circular economy.

Tara J. Konya
Tara J. Konya, Ph.D. is the Associate Dean of Academic Operations at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) in Manchester, NH. She is also the Co-Chair for ESRAP’s annual Student Merchandising Poster Competition. At SNHU, Dr. Konya is responsible for developing innovative academic programs, including a team-based three-year honors program in business administration and updating the online fashion merchandising and management degrees. As a member of the university’s sustainability working group, she assists with the STARS reporting process. Her research includes the topics of CSR, philanthropy, and sustainability. Specifically, she investigates sustainability strategies of apparel retailer through employee engagement, community involvement, and social impact. Additionally, she researches and presents on pedagogy and sustainability into the classroom.

Srikant Manchiraju
Dr. Srikant Manchiraju is an Assistant Professor at Florida State University's Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship. Dr. Manchiraju is also a faculty affiliate of Florida State University's Family Institute. Broadly speaking, his research and teaching interests are related to marketing and psychology. Prior to joining Florida State University, Dr. Manchiraju has taught at various universities at different levels (e.g., lecturer, graduate instructor), which include Iowa State University, Indiana University-Bloomington, and Philadelphia University. He has published several book chapters, conference proceedings, and research journal articles. He volunteers for various professional organizations on a regular basis.

Rachel Eike
Dr. Rachel Eike is an assistant professor in the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management at Iowa State University. Her research and expertise involve sustainability in the fiber, textiles, and clothing disciplines and wearable technologies. Dr. Eike serves as a creative scholarship reviewer for the International Textiles and Apparel Association as well as manuscript reviewer for the Clothing and Textiles Research Journal (functional design and sustainability topics), Textiles Research Journal (wearable tech and functional fabric topics), and the Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal (design educational topics). Dr. Eike’s degrees hail from Iowa State University and Oklahoma State University. As a Human Scientist, Dr. Eike studies human factors regarding creative and functional apparel, while considering environmental impact and social responsibility of design decision-making practices to promote sustainability. She conducts design-based research to help improve people’s lives through the functionality of their clothing and products – making sure they are ergonomically designed to meet their performance needs while being comfortable in their near environment. She aims to integrate challenging design opportunities for current and future students to expand their human potential so that they may ultimately, positively impact others’ lives. Dr. Eike happily and humbly serves her native state of Iowa.

Amrut Sadachar
Amrut Sadachar, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Consumer and Design Sciences Department at Auburn University. His research focuses in the area of retailing, small business management, consumer behavior and experiential marketing, apparel sustainability, ethical consumption, and retail technologies. With an overarching goal of doing greater good for the society, his current research work is based on three pillars: people, profit, and planet. With these pillars at the core, his research agenda strives to: 1) create better shopping experiences for consumers which can improve their well-being; 2) develop strategies retailers can use to achieve sustainable and long- term success in the marketplace; and 3) investigate issues related to the environmental impact of the apparel retail industry. He has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed high impact research articles and refereed conference presentations and proceedings at the national and international conferences. He has received external funding as Co-PI from the United States India Educational Foundation (USIEF) and internal funding as PI from various funding sources. He serves on numerous committees at department, college, university, and professional organization level. His other responsibilities include advising masters and doctoral students. In 2017, he has won the outstanding faculty award at Auburn University for his teaching excellence. In 2019, he was given the Rising Star Award by the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA).

Jacqueline Parr
Jacqueline Parr is an Assistant Professor at St. Catherine University in the Apparel, Merchandising and Design program teaching fashion merchandising courses. St. Catherine University specializes in integrating aspects of sustainability into each course taught in the fashion department. In addition, she is completing her Ph.D at The University of Minnesota in Retail Merchandising and Consumer Studies. Her research focuses on ethical consumption behaviors and well as a specific focus in local retailing. Specifically, understanding the purchasing decisions that consumers make when choosing to shop at their local retailers as compared to big box retailers. Jacqueline Parr has also worked in the apparel industry with professional positions held at Neiman Marcus as an Assistant Buyer in Men’s Couture Clothing and as a vendor account manager for Wal-mart Accessories. She has experience in merchandise planning, brand management, visual merchandising, supply chain management, product development, and assortment planning.

Andrea Kennedy
Andrea Kennedy is an Associate Professor in the Fashion Merchandising department at LIM College, and developed the sustainability courses and minor at LIM. Andrea founded Fashiondex.com and is the author of many sustainability articles and sourcebooks including: The Fashion Designer's Sustainable Sourcebook, The Apparel Design and Production Handbook- A Technical Reference, and The Color Book. She is also co-chair of LIM College's Sustainable Task Force, a Climate Reality leader and mentor, an NYC Fair Trade Coalition board member, and co-produces the Sustainable Fashion Forum in LA, the Fashion and Sustainability Summit in New York, and Local Loft in New York. Andrea has designed and merchandised for major fashion labels including Calvin Klein, Ann Taylor, Bob Mackie, Pierre Cardin, Groovy on Grand, Sunny Leigh and Magaschoni. She holds a BA in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design and an M.Ed in Education for Sustainability from Manhattanville College. She is always urgently working to spread awareness of climate change and is committed to serving students so they can become leader of change and work towards a fully-sustainable and resilient fashion industry of the future.

Angie Liljequist
Angie Liljequist, Ph.D., is the Chair of the Fashion Merchandising Department at Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri. She teaches a variety of courses in the curriculum, with particular interest in those that consider the implications of the textile and apparel industry on social welfare. She recently designed a sustainability course in which students learn about the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the ways our industry both compromises sustainable development as well as how it can be a key change agent for realizing the global goals. Critical to her teaching methodology is providing co-curricular experiences for students by partnering with professionals who employ women in under-served communities to produce fashion products, educate refugee women in the skill of sewing, process used textiles into industrial rags, and source garments in bulk to resell to consumers. Dr. Liljequist's previous research projects have focused on the representation of gender and race in fashion-related mediums.