M.F.A. University of Georgia – Athens, Georgia
B.F.A. UGA – Athens, Ga.
Post graduate studies at Furman University in Marketing & Management
Computer Integrated Textile Design Association Board Member– Vice Chair Transportation Textiles – 1995-1996

Experience

Professor Nancy Powell’s degrees in design are combined with 27 years in the textile industry with design, marketing and management responsibilities. Her extensive experience in designing and developing design solutions for interior fabics includes aviation, automotive, and rail and coach applications.

Most recently, as Director of Design for the Automotive Division of Milliken & Company, Professor Powell directed a large group of designers in developing woven, knit and printed products for all O.E.M. and Tier One automotive customers.

Previously, as Director of Development at Langenthal Textiles, Professor Powell became part of the Senior Management Team of a Swiss owned company producing aviation fabrics and contract upholstery fabrics in Rural Hall, N.C.

As Director of Design, Professor Powell led Guilford Mills Automotive Division’s design activities as they transitioned from primarily a headliner manufacturer to a body cloth supplier to the global automotive industry. With a core competency of large volume piece dyed warp knitting, Guilford added woven, printed and jacquard circular knit technologies during this time. Powell lead the efforts to plan, create, and deliver complete design services to customers in Asia, Europe and North America.

Powell’s experience at J.L.deBall-Girmes, a German company based in Asheville, N.C., focused on printed and piece dyed cotton woven pile products. Professor Powell lead creative efforts to transition to new solution dyed fibers such as polypropylene to address changes in the home furnishings, recreational vehicle and customized van markets.

During Powell’s time as Director of Design at Collins & Aikman’s Cavel Division in Roxboro, N.C., home furnishing jacquard velvet upholstery fabrics were expanded to include recreational vehicle and custom van interior products.

Professor Powell began her industry career at LaFrance Industries. Advancing through the design area to merchandizing and sales & marketing, Professor Powell was involved in developing pile and flat woven and printed home furnishings upholstery.

Living and teaching in a culturally diverse environment at Concord College, Shropshire, England broadened Professor Powell’s understanding of the global community.

Publications

“Mass Customization in Transportation Textiles through Shaped Three-Dimensional Knitting”, Fibrous Assemblies at the Design and Engineering Interface, INTEDEC 2003 Conference, September , 2003.

“Design: Italian Style”, JTATM, Vol. 3, Issue 2 (2003)

“Italian Trip Report – Knitting”, TEXTILE WORLD Magazine, June 2003.

“Inspiration Resources for Development and Design”, Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, Vol. 2, Issue 2, (2002).

“Artist-Industry Network Benefits” for FIBERARTS Magazine, Summer 2002
Co-authored “Case Studies of Major Textile Marketing Success” for THE HANDBOOK OF TEXTILE MARKETING, Fairchild Publishers, 1982.

College of Textiles
P.O. Box 8301
Raleigh, NC 27695-8301
Telephone: (919) 515-6646
FAX: (919) 515-3733
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Last Site Revision:
January 16, 2004