ARTSTHREAD Interview Allyn Fox - Student Q&A - Global Design Graduate Show 2022 In Collaboration With Gucci
In advance of the deadline for Global Design Graduate Show 2022 in collaboration with Gucci, ARTSTHREAD interview Allyn Fox, a 2022 graduating student from Academy of Art University, Fashion Design BFA.
Our Global Design Graduate Show 2022 in collaboration with Gucci is open internationally to all art and design undergraduate or postgraduate students graduating in the Academic Year 2021-22 and the deadline to apply is August 31 2022.
ARTSTHREAD:Where are you from?
Allyn Fox: I was born and raised in the Philippines. But I immigrated to America and have been living in San Francisco for about 7 years now.
ARTSTHREAD: What is the name, theme, concept and final outcome of your graduate project/thesis?
Allyn Fox: The name of my collection is Rush Hour. The overall concept was the perception of time and I took this inspiration through the comparison to riding the train station where people are stuck waiting while the train (or time) keeps moving, following the pandemic.
ARTSTHREAD:Can you describe your concept and creative process?
Allyn Fox: I made ombre prints using Photoshop to depict the colors of the speed of light and then digitally printed my custom designs on fabric. I also used a software called CLO3D to help me build patterns and see my design in a way that promotes less waste. I used the silhouettes of people riding the train to create appliqués and silhouettes, and ombre pleated fabric to create the illusion of speed while the garment is worn.
ARTSTHREAD: Can you explain the thinking behind the key concepts and outcomes of your project?
Allyn Fox: I love a sporty yet feminine look and that is exactly what I was going for in this project. I paid attention to the wearer and the possibilities of mixing and matching pieces together even though they are initially styled as sets. I wanted to make sure that the elements of my inspiration are present throughout the collection, but also understanding myself as a designer and what I want to achieve.
ARTSTHREAD: Are you 100% back on campus or are you still working all/partly from home? Please describe your environment?
Allyn Fox: Most of the process work for this project was all done virtually. A lot of the prior research, patternmaking and toiling are done at home. It was only the last semester when we got to go back on campus (for the first time since the pandemic) to actually have our toiles fitted on a live model. My working environment at home was pretty much all over the place… My dining table was my drafting table, our living room floor was the biggest place on which I could cut fabrics and I was able to turn our extra small room into a work/guest room where all my sewing machines, mannequins, and ironing board miraculously fitted with a pull out bed.
ARTSTHREAD: Has being back on campus given you a new perspective on the university/your class colleagues/tutors?
Allyn Fox: I think that my colleagues and especially professors were very supportive early on, even when we were doing virtual sessions. I think doing things virtually, given that it’s more challenging, requires a lot of effort in a sense of the professors getting us to execute our designs well and making sure that we are still on top of our game. However, it’s definitely a lot more inspiring and motivating to be back on campus and to have our professors actually assess our work in real life. If anything, I really see how everyone adapted to these changes and were able to push through in our own resourceful ways.
ARTSTHREAD: Has the need for online learning changed your outcomes?
Allyn Fox: I think that online learning helped me discover something about myself and what I can accomplish in the comfort of my home. I realized that learning online allowed me to be more independent in terms of working alone and figuring out for myself what works and what doesn’t.
ARTSTHREAD: Did you need to innovate when you had to work by yourself at home?
Allyn Fox:Yes. I think that being resourceful and open to doing something completely different was very crucial throughout my creative process. At one point, when my fabrics couldn’t arrive on time due to the pandemic, I had to create a pleating board for myself to be able to get the pleats I needed. I also experimented with sun dyeing at home and other things that led me to the end goal; whether I used those ideas or not, it helped narrow everything down for me. CLO3D was also an efficient tool I had to learn during the summer to be able to minimize waste and know if the fabrics I would be using for this collection would ultimately work or not.
ARTSTHREAD: What’s one thing that has helped you get through the last 2 years?
Allyn Fox: Having the best support system from my family and close friends have been essential to me, especially mentally. I think that having people within arm’s length to talk to, that are going through the same experience as me, made me feel better and less alone.
ARTSTHREAD: What are the most positive learning outcomes from this process?
Allyn Fox: I learned that creativity has no limits and it is motivating for me to know that as a designer. No matter what life throws at us we are able to push forward, be resourceful, and be inspired – I think that it’s always an optimistic thought to remember.
ARTSTHREAD: How do you think design can help improve the world?
Allyn Fox: I think that design has improved the world in a lot of different ways, but I think that design is a very powerful platform to raise awareness on bigger social issues and bring cultures even closer. I think design can improve the world through diversity, inclusivity and social impact.
ARTSTHREAD: What are your hopes for the future?
Allyn Fox: I hope that my creativity will continue to bring diverse cultures together and be able to represent my Filipino heritage on a larger platform. I also hope to keep creating clothes that I am proud of, that somehow will impact the world in a positive way for future generations of creatives to look up to.
ARTSTHREAD: Thank you Allyn – we wish you all the very best!
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This article distils the key takeaways and what buyers, designers, and brands should be asking right now.
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At its core, a Digital Product Passport is a digital record attached to a physical product - For a printed textile product, this means the DPP would capture data on the substrate, inks and dyes used, the printing process and technology, chemical compliance, environmental impact (including water and energy use), supply chain traceability, and end-of-life instructions.
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Future Fashion was founded in 2019, timed deliberately to coincide with a pivotal moment in global textile technology: the commercial launch of the EFI Reggiani BOLT Single-Pass digital printing system.
The founders recognised that single-pass architecture had fundamentally changed what was industrially possible - and that Pakistan's domestic market had yet to catch up.
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Taran Rai, Corporate Sustainability Manager at Epson explains why?
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What once was a theoretical sustainability goal seems to have shifted into an active regulatory reality.
WILMINGTON, Del., August 2026 – – DuPont has announced that its Artistri® Digital Printing Solutions are driving the next era of industrial direct-to-film (DTF) printing, moving beyond ink innovation to tackle the process challenges that now define productivity at scale.
Porthmadog, Wales – August 2026 – Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd has completed the installation of its Razar print finishing system at Snowdonia Design & Print, marking the first Razar installation outside of England.
The milestone represents a significant step in the growing adoption of advanced, versatile finishing technology across the UK print sector.
Described as the "swiss army knife of print finishing", the Razar system brings a suite of high-precision capabilities to the Porthmadog-based printer
Sheffield, UK – Perfect Colours has been appointed the official UK distributor for Platinum Technologies International, the manufacturer formerly known as Liyu Technologies.
Announced in May at FESPA 2026, the partnership gives UK print businesses direct access to Platinum's full range of industrial large-format systems, backed by Perfect Colours' nationwide sales, installation, training, and engineering support.
The agreement covers Platinum Technologies' expanding portfolio of large-format printing equipment across the UK market, marking one of the most significant developments in Perfect Colours' recent history..
Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - Richmond, VA: Drytac, the leading international manufacturer of self-adhesive materials for the large-format print and signage markets, is delighted to announce its plans for PRINTING United Expo 2026.
As Drytac continues its 50th anniversary celebrations, visitors will have the opportunity to experience new products, award-winning solutions and live applications across the show floor, highlighting five decades of expertise in adhesive science and coated media
Wakayama, Japan – August 2026 – SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD., a leading provider of digital textile solutions, will exhibit at Première Vision Paris, held from 1st to 3rd September 2026 at Paris Nord Villepinte in France.
The company will present its latest innovations in the event's "Smart Creation" area, a space dedicated to technologies that unite sustainability and innovation.
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Emmerich am Rhein, Nordrhein-Westfalen – August 2026 – Brother Industrial EMEA has announced the launch of a new white ink formula for its entire GTX series of textile printers.
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Clay Cross – Derbyshire – August 2026 – Resolute DTF has announced that free waste ink disposal is available to every printer customer as a core component of its service package.
The offering is designed to remove the administrative, legal, and financial burden of hazardous waste compliance from print shops across the UK, regardless of the machine model they operate or the volume they produce.
Danver Ma – August 2026 – Inkcups, a leading innovator in inkjet printing technology, has announced its participation in PRINTING United 2026, where it will showcase the Helix High Throw cylindrical UV printer.
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Coalville – Leicestershire – August 2026 – Innotech, one of the UK's leading independent media suppliers, has announced a new strategic partnership with China Print Supplies UK Ltd.
The collaboration will see China Print Supplies UK Ltd showcase a curated selection of Innotech materials at The Print Show, with an exclusive promotional offer available to attendees.
Shawnee, KS – August , 2026 – Nazdar Ink Technologies today announced the appointment of Edward (Ed) Baiden as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective 8th September 2026.
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Bacup – Lancashire-August 2026 – Super Wide-Digital, a family-run trade digital print company based in the North West of England, has confirmed its participation in The Print Show 2026.
The company will exhibit at stand P440, positioned at the heart of Hall 1 at the NEC, marking a significant step in its ongoing commitment to connecting with trade and creative professionals across the industry
London, UK – 20 August 2026 – AVA CAD/CAM, a leading provider of design software and solutions for the textile and fashion industry, has announced its highly anticipated Top 10 to Watch 2026 list, recognising ten outstanding graduating textile designers from universities across the United Kingdom.
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Roland DG South Africa has announced it will launch the new TrueVis VG4-540 and VG4-640 eco-solvent print and cut devices at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo.
The event is taking place from 8-10 September 2026, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, at Gallagher Convention Centre.
Altrincham – Cheshire – August 2926 – Friedmans Ltd, a UK-based textile manufacturer and digital printing specialist, has announced the expansion of its wholesale stretch fabric and digital printing services, offering designers, brands, and businesses an accessible route to fully customised fabric solutions with low minimum order quantities and fast turnaround times.
Frankfurt, Germany – August 2026 – Heimtextil, one of the world's leading trade fairs for home and contract textiles, has announced its return to Messe Frankfurt GmbH from 12 to 15 January 2027.
The event will once again transform its iconic home base into a showcase of the finest in woven, stitched, and draped textiles, reaffirming its position as the definitive gathering point for the global textile industry.
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Derby – Derbyshire – UK – August 2026 – Vivid Laminating Technologies Ltd is pleased to announce that EBI Creative Print (Easibind International Ltd) has acquired not one, but two Veloblade Nexus cutting systems, reinforcing its position as one of the UK's most comprehensively equipped print facilities.
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Goyang-si, South Korea – August 2026 – BARBIERI electronics, a leading innovator in colour measurement solutions, is set to exhibit at K-Print Korea, where the company will demonstrate its flagship Spectro LFP qb spectrophotometer at Booth L502.
Cape Town – South Africa – August 2026 – NUtec Digital Ink has announced that its Quartz Q50-HYB UV-curable hybrid ink has been awarded GREENGUARD Gold Certification and is now listed in the UL Spot database.
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Tirana, Albania – August 2026 – Kridia ArtPrinting Solutions, an Albanian print and interior décor specialist, has announced its adoption of Roland DG's Dimense textured printing technology, positioning the company as the only provider of locally produced, custom embossed wallpaper in Albania.
By integrating the Dimense DA-640, the Dimense Module, and Roland DG Connect Designer into its production workflow, Kridia has significantly improved design efficiency, creative output, and turnaround times across its interior décor projects.
Echbolsheim – France – August 2026 – Caldera has announced that its Direct-to-Film software now supports the Brother DTRX100, one of the most advanced integrated direct-to-film (DTF) production systems available on the market today.
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The Brother DTRX100 is a 32-inch roll-to-roll DTF printer engineered for high-volume, continuous production environments.
Rock Hill - SC – August 17, 2026 – SDL Atlas, a global leader in textile testing instruments, has announced the launch of the Vortex Elite, the most advanced instrument in its trusted Vortex series of AATCC Monograph wash testing equipment.
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Birmingham, UK – August 2026 – Epson has announced its participation in The Print Show and The Sign Show 2026, taking place from 29 September to 1 October at the NEC Birmingham.
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Raleigh – NC – Aigust 2026 - North Carolina State University has been chosen to lead a 10-year Department of War initiative aimed at modernizing textile manufacturing in the United States to support the defense industry.
The FutureTEX award – which includes $36 million in its first year and has a ceiling of $480 million over a decade – brings together industry, government, university and nonprofit partners to advance manufacturing technologies of textiles for military and domestic applications.
London, UK – August 2026 – UK-based sign and graphics specialist Signs Express has successfully delivered a striking retail installation for the England World Cup Fanatics Shop Experience on London's iconic Carnaby Street, using a range of printable media and laminates from global adhesive media manufacturer Drytac.
Reken – Germany – August 2026 – FabricVision GmbH, a textile and fabric solutions company, has announced a significant operational milestone, marking nearly one year of intensive infrastructure development with the installation of a sign outside its warehouse facility.
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Mexico City, Mexico – August 2026 – HP Graphic Arts has announced its participation in FESPA Mexico 2026, taking place from 10–12 September at Centro Banamex, Mexico City.
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FESPA Mexico is one of Latin America's foremost events for the print and visual communications industry, drawing together professionals, partners, and businesses seeking to stay ahead of an increasingly competitive market
Bracknel – Berkshire - August 2026 – UFABRIK, a leader in high-performance textile solutions, today highlights one of its latest innovation: the UFabrik Opaque Textile ECO.
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The UFabrik Opaque Textile ECO has been developed to deliver ultimate colour reproduction with both UV and Latex inks.
SOUTH NORMANTON, UK – August 2026 – Sun Chemical, a leading producer of printing inks, coatings, and supplies, has announced its participation in the 27th International Advertising Industry and Digital Printing Technologies Exhibition, SIGN İstanbul.
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Soyang Europe has strengthened its hardware team with the appointments of Andy Webb as Commercial Director and Ian Windebank as Wide-Format Print Specialist.
Both join Soyang with immediate effect, bringing decades of combined experience across print technology, hardware sales, customer support and the wider print industry.