Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/899491
THE TRENDSETTERS INDUSTRY INFLUENCERS IN DESIGN, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & TEXTILE INNOVATION. ED RUZIC CEO / Creative Director Sherpani Ruzic co-founded Sherpani 15 years ago built on the concept of creating func- tional, stylish back-country and urban bags designed for, and by, women. A novel idea at that time, Sherpani proved successful, advancing women's-specific product development in the active/outdoor industry. Previously, Ruzic owned Russi Mountain Works. A design direction I'd like to explore is: Designing bags using one piece of shaped fabric without any cutting (just folding) then using the folds to create an unexpected, purposeful feature. A fabric I'm obsessed with right now is: Anything stretch; I like using durable stretch fabrics in unexpected ways and places. They look great, feel great and have unlimited uses. My tech essential is: My iPad. No doubt. It does everything I need for work and entertains me on 14-hour flights to Asia. I define "performance" as: Any product spe- cifically designed to improve the comfort or efficiency of human's in motion. A product design I'm most proud of is: An anti-theft, slash proof bag that uses a super simple idea to save weight, cost and lead-time. We didn't create a new material, we simply changed how we use available materials for a better solution. The simplest idea is always the best one. I can't work unless: I have at least two 16 oz. cups of hot, black, dark roast coffee. My design pet peeve is: "Shrink it and Pink it" as well as ANYTHING that uses Velcro. A textile I wish I had invented is: Denim! This is how I describe my creative process in 10 words or less: No process. Inspiration hap- pens suddenly; sketch it before it escapes. My best ideas derive from: Thinking naïvely. Simplicity always works yet it's the hardest thing to achieve. Approach the problem like someone who knows nothing about the sub- ject, then the solution becomes more obvious. My favorite city in the world to shop is: Shibuya Japan (Tokyo). Great concentration of inno- vative shops, trendy energetic vibe and legit ramen. The book currently on my nightstand is: To Have and Have Not: (Hemingway 1937). Third time reading it! GUS HARRIS Director of Product Development / Operations Mizzen & Main Harris has been in the fash- ion industry for almost 20 years with experience in retail sales, merchandising, visual, and personal shop- ping for some of the largest retailers in the industry. Within the last couple of years he has been able to use his fashion and engineering expertise to be innovative and successful as Mizzen+Main's Product Development Director. A design direction I'd like to explore is: Development and innovation that transforms the everyday needs in menswear. A fabric I'm obsessed with right now is: This synthetic blended fabric that feels and drapes with a super 100 wool that doesn't require all the maintenance wool needs. My fondest clothing memory from childhood is: Oh wow! In middle school I wore this Ralph Lauren fraternity like cardigan that had the RL crest on the left chest. I actually won best dressed with that cardigan. My tech essential is: My Apple Watch that reminds me to do my meditation breathing exercises. I define "performance" as: The ability to move and function without restriction or interruption. A product design I'm most proud of is: Mizzen and Main's latest 1/4 zip that was just released. Great office and weekend layering piece with the perfect weight and look. I can't work unless I have: My color matching lab lighting. This allows me to see true colors and flaws in garments. My design pet peeve is: Bad stitching! A textile I wish I had invented is: Lycra! This is how I describe my creative process in 10 words or less: Think it, See it, Research it, Plan it, Design it! My best ideas derive from: Brainstorming with my team! My favorite city in the world to shop is: Dallas! The book currently on my nightstand is: Mindfulness by Mark Williams. Welcome to our 6th annual spotlight on industry innovators. These talented individuals are a force behind what's new and exciting in today's marketplace. For this year's edition of TrendSetters we crafted a questionnaire to show off the textile savvy and unique personalities of our candidates. We guarantee you will enjoy these snapshot profiles that highlight idea inspiration, design exploration, fabric obsessions and tech essentials. Participants' snappy responses also hint at what will be influencing material development and product design in the future. 20 • Textile Insight ~ November/December 2017 textileinsight.com