our mission
The College of Human Ecology at Cornell University established the Cornell Institute of Fashion and Fiber Innovation (CIFFI) in the Department of Fiber Science & Apparel Design (FSAD) to advance knowledge and foster collaborations between academia and industry in the areas of fashion design, marketing and culture, fiber science, technology, and materials testing. Specifically, CIFFI aims to: • Cultivate the innovation culture and streamline product development processes in the fashion, fiber, and textile industries. • Translate state-of-the-art sciences and technologies into implementable technologies, products and systems for the benefit of the fashion, fiber, and textile industries. • Conduct collaborative R&D, particularly for functional fibers, performance apparel, and smart and sustainable fashion. • Create a forum where industry and academia debate, share, and expand ideas and knowledge. • Support continuing development of New York City’s fashion industry. • Create synergy with undergraduate and graduate education in Cornell’s Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design (FSAD). • Create synergy with Cornell’s NYC Tech.
core competencies of CIFFI
Fashion Design & Marketing Fashion Design Digital Textile and Fashion Design Impact of Technologies in Fashion Design Fashion Marketing and Management Fashion Theory and History of Fashion Culture Cross-Cultural Fashion Marketing Sustainable Fashion, Fiber, and Textiles
ear, gait pattern, posture & health issue
Footwear comfort analysis Footwear, gait pattern, posture & health
nge of motion analysis based on 3D Motion capture te ‐ Dynamic plantar pressure analysis based on in‐shoe sensor technology
‐ Joint range of motion analysis based on 3D Motion cap
PI: Huiju Park, Assistant professor at FSAD, Cornell
PI: Huiju Park, Assistant professor at FSAD, Cornell
k, Assistant professor at FSAD, Cornell
core competencies of CIFFI
Performance Apparel Smart and Intelligent Clothing Protective Clothing Apparel Sizing and Fit Apparel Performance Evaluation Ergonomics
core competencies of CIFFI
Functional Fibers Textile Nanotechnology Surface Functionalization and Treatment Self-Decontamination Materials Green Fibers and Composites Bio-Polymers and Tissue Engineering
Institute Faculty Fellows Faculty fellows of CIFFI consist of faculty members or visiting/courtesy faculty members of Cornell University, who are willing to contribute toward the mission of CIFFI.
Technical Facilities Fashion and Textile Studios: • Fashion Design Studio • Textile Design Studio • Apparel Construction Studios • Cornell Costume & Textile Collection Apparel Performance Lab: • Sweating Fabric ManikinWalter • Permatest • Transplanar Water Transport Tester
• • • • •
Environmental Chamber 3D Body Scanner 3D Hand Scanner 3D Foot Scanner 3D Motion Capture System • Plantar Pressure Sensor System • Thermal Infrared Imaging Camera • Surface Electromyography
Prototyping Facility: • Apparel CAD • Fiber Extruder • Laser Cutter • Sample Loom Nanotechnology Lab: • AFM • Microscope • Electrospinning Machines Physical Testing Lab Chemical Analysis Lab Chemical Synthesis Lab Cell Culture Room
Activities of the Institute Regularly scheduled roundtable meetings Regularly scheduled conferences and seminars Applied research and development Engagement in undergraduate and graduate projects Dissemination of latest research through digital communications and newsletters
Organization and Management Structure
Institute Governing Body
Institute Director
Institute Associate Director Marketing and Administrative Support Manager
Institute Advisory Board
Technical Advisory Committee
Institute Faculty Fellows
membership, contribution, and benefits
Why Join CIFFI? The Cornell Institute of Fashion and Fiber Innovation invites corporations, organizations, and professionals to become members to cultivate innovation for the fashion and textile industries.
Leadership and influence in fashion and textiles. Opportunities to engage with world-class expertise and facilities. R&D cost reduction based on membership level. Industrial networking. (eg. Round-table discussions) University networking. (eg. Guest Speaker Series) Engagement in Cornell students’ projects. Access to latest research and industry news. “Co-branding” with Cornell through sponsorship of events and publications.
Levels of Industrial Partnership Founding Member
Corporate Member
Strategic Partner
Individual Member
Founding Members In the first three years of the establishment of the Institute, Cornell will invite corporations, organizations, and professionals who contributed or committed more than $100,000 in monetary and in-kind donations to become founding members of the Institute for up to 4 years. (Thereafter, they can transfer to another membership category.) The invitation will be at the discretion of the Institute Director with the endorsement of Chair of FSAD and Dean of College of Human Ecology.
Strategic Partner All benefits associated with the Corporate and Individual level. Plus: • Membership on advisory board. • Guidance on the use of contributions in excess of corporate level membership dues ($5,000) in accordance with Cornell’s restricted gifts guidelines.
Corporate Member All benefits associated with the Individual level. Plus: • Institute discounted rates on equipment and other research costs (user instruments and rates provided separately). • Applied or fundamental research contracts (discounts on research contracts will be limited to 15% of total costs for projects totaling $150K or less, maximum annual discount per partner is $22,500). • Review of the technical and commercial merit of specific research projects within the institute. • Options to co-sponsor an issue of a newsletter / journal or an event.
Individual Member • Participation in regular institute events, meetings, presentations, workshops, symposia, and other networking / development venues. • Subscription to all issues of the newsletter / journal, progress and technical reports, whitepaper distribution (available to non-members for $100 annually).
Student Member • Invitation to networking events with industry partners. • An invitation to other selected events may be extended in exchange for event participation. • Potential to engage with research projects and outreach activities.
Overall Membership Responsibilities: Members are expected to play important roles in the research, education, and technology transfer goals of the Institute. Member representatives will be invited to participate in many aspects of Institute programs as researchers, student mentors, guest lecturers, and advisors.
If you are interested in becoming a member, e-mail us at ciffi@cornell.edu.
College of Human Ecology Improving lives by exploring and shaping human connections to natural, social, and built environments
Cornell Institute of Fashion and Fiber Innovation T57 Human Ecology Building (HEB) 37 Forest Home Drive Ithaca, NY 14853 (607) 255-1093 ciffi@cornell.edu
www.ciffi.cornell.edu