Dr. May Chae Showcases Community Engagement in Fashion Design at 2024 ITAA Conference

Dr. May Chae, Associate Professor and Head of the Fashion Design and Merchandising program at Montclair State University, presented her innovative pedagogical research at the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) Annual Conference, held from November 19–24, 2024. Her study, Community Engagement as an Innovative Teaching Approach to Upcycling Fashion for Seniors, garnered significant attention for its creative integration of sustainability, inclusivity, and experiential learning.

The project emerged from Dr. Chae’s experience as a Community Engaged Teaching and Learning (CETL) fellow from 2022 to 2024. In collaboration with an upper-level fashion design class, she introduced a semester-long initiative where students partnered with senior citizens to design sustainable, inclusive apparel tailored to the seniors’ specific needs. The initiative emphasized creativity, critical thinking, and community engagement, preparing students for an emerging market that demands understanding a wide range of disabilities and inclusive design principles.

Through focus groups and interviews with ten seniors, students identified key clothing challenges faced by older adults. The course outcomes highlighted the importance of understanding clients’ needs, fostering practical upcycling ideas, and promoting positive lifestyles through sustainable design. Dr. Chae emphasized that the project aimed to enhance student motivation and engagement while equipping them with specialized knowledge and skills.

The Spring 2024 semester culminated in the FADM annual fashion show, where senior citizens modeled the garments created by the student-senior pairs. The event received glowing reviews from participants. Seniors expressed their delight in the process and the final results:

“I think everything was really nice. It was exciting to be back in the dressing room watching the models and designers work together, and I thought it was very professional; the models and outfits were professional. They could have been on Broadway! I think they ran it very well and didn’t think I would, but I enjoyed it. Special shoutout to Professor Chae and her students; they treated us well and made us feel like movie stars. And I think I had the best outfit!” said participant O. Brown.

Another senior, A. Cosby, shared: “Let me tell you…I was energized! Watching the young people—I left there feeling like that was the best thing that had happened to me in a long time.”

Students also reflected positively on the experience. One student, I. Carvajal, remarked:
“I loved working with seniors. I learned a lot from my client about her specific needs and how important it is to create accessible fashion that is also useful. The biggest challenge was working with the client’s weight fluctuation due to her disease and how to accommodate her clothes. Communication was the most important part of the project. Listening to my client’s needs and figuring out how to put an outfit together where she felt comfortable.”

Dr. Chae’s innovative teaching approach exemplifies the power of community engagement to foster mutual learning and empathy while addressing real-world challenges. Her research underscores the growing need for sustainable and inclusive design practices, particularly in underserved markets like senior citizens.

For more details on Dr. Chae’s work and the 2024 ITAA Conference, visit the conference website.

Dr. May Chae is an Associate Professor and Head of the Fashion Design and Merchandising program at Montclair State University. With 17 years of academic experience across three universities, she has dedicated over eight years at Montclair to fostering a positive and innovative learning environment. Dr. Chae holds a Ph.D. in Clothing and Textiles from Virginia Tech, specializing in Functional Design.

Her research and teaching focus on technology-driven clothing design, sustainability, and adaptive fashion. She has received four grants from Cotton Incorporated to advance digital printing and computer-aided design (CAD) initiatives for diverse target markets. Dr. Chae’s collaborative research includes adaptive clothing studies with Montclair’s Nursing School and her recent work with seniors at the First Montclair House.

Dr. Chae is an active member of ITAA, CSA, and AAFCS, consistently advocating for sustainable and inclusive practices in the fashion industry.