Fashion and Textile Course in Virginia

Amy Bircher (center), Beth Shorrock (left) and Darrell Donahue cut the ribbon on the new Amy A. Bircher Textiles Laboratory at West Virginia University.

^{Amy Bircher (middle), Beth Shorrock (left) and Darrell Donahue cut the ribbon on the new Amy A. Bircher Textiles Laboratory at West Virginia University (photo past Brian Persinger, WVU Photography).}

A gift to the West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resource and Design will provide fashion, dress and merchandising students with enhanced educational opportunities in textile science.

To strengthen textile scientific discipline and curriculum, Amy Bircher, a WVU alumna and international leader in the cloth industry, donated more $200,000 to establish a much-needed creative infinite for students.

The WVU Davis College hosted a 1000 opening and ribbon-cutting anniversary for the new Amy A. Bircher Textiles Laboratory Friday, April 16.

"What a momentous occasion for me personally to be contributing to the future of my alma mater. I am so honored to be able to provide this space for current and time to come students to acquire in a hands-on environs for fabric science and innovation," Bircher said. "There are then many incredible opportunities for students to enhance their didactics in both fiber, fashion and clothing development, and I look forward to watching this infinite grow over the coming years as our industry and societal needs change."

The space, a former domicile economics laboratory in the Agricultural Sciences Annex, is outfitted with new equipment to provide students more than opportunities to engage straight with fabrics.

"Amy'southward gift is foundational; it provides a base of operations for us to abound bigger and amend. This lab will have an immediate positive touch on for our students and their understanding of the functional materials foundation of textiles pattern," said Darrell W. Donahue, dean of the WVU Davis Higher. "Looking toward the future, we'll exist able to increment our research and fabric testing capabilities with the goals of enhancing education and advancing the manufacture."

To commemorate the opening of the new textiles laboratory, Amy Bircher (center) screen prints a t-shirt.

^{To commemorate the opening of the new textiles laboratory, Amy Bircher (center) screen prints a t-shirt (photo by Brian Persinger, WVU Photography).}

Through a variety of scientific testing – including the popular burn test which helps identify types of fabric – students will improve understand what properties a cobweb presents including its strengths, weaknesses, how it's made, dyed and finished.

A ccording to Elizabeth Shorrock, visiting assistant professor of fashion, wearing apparel and merchandising, this blazon of noesis will make students more marketable after graduation.

"I've noticed during my career upper-level pattern students at universities across the country have limited knowledge well-nigh material properties and which fabric types are all-time suited for specific projects," she said. "This new laboratory will help WVU and our program go leaders in textile science training."

A passionate and engaged industry leader in the textile market, Bircher is founder and CEO of MMI Textiles, Inc., in Cleveland. Founded in 1997, her visitor serves customers on a global footing with innovative products that protect warfighters and raise the lives of many others. She is a 1993 graduate of the WVU Davis College with a degree in textiles, wearable and mode merchandising.

Bircher's gift was fabricated through theWVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the Academy. To contribute, visit the secure online giving page atgive.wvu.edu.

Scout a video that was shown during the ribbon-cutting anniversary.