Workshop Presenter Bios
Astrid Vidalon-Shields, Associate Professor, Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising, Central Washington University
Astrid Vidalon is a professor in the Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising program at Central Washington University. Professor Vidalon has a master’s degree in Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles from Washington State University and a B.A. in Communication and Advertising. She teaches the classes Basic Sewing Techniques, Advanced Sewing Techniques, Sustainability & Us, Buying and Merchandising Math, Apparel Manufacturing, Digital Presentation Techniques, Styles Principles: Body to Store, and Merchandising Buying and Planning.
Native from Peru, she worked as Marketing and Press Director, Sales Executive and Project Coordinator, and Graphic Designer for the Peruvian branch of the world’s top-selling Spanish-speaking publishing firm. In this company, she oversaw textiles and handicraft publishing projects that triggered her passion for textiles and ethnic dress. Astrid’s creative endeavors and research interests include ethnic art, handmade textiles, and sustainability. Vidalon believes that design that values traditional art can be an excellent tool for sustainable development and social empowerment.
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Jacob Sutton, Associate Designer, Nordstrom & Nordstrom Rack
Jacob Sutton currently works as an associate designer for Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack. He graduated in 2018 from Seattle Central’s Apparel Design & development program after working for many years as a pastry chef and visual artist. After graduating from Seattle Central Jacob worked with artists and dancers creating one-of-a-kind performance pieces and developed small collections that celebrate queer futurism and freedom of expression. Working at Nordstrom Jacob has lead trend research and concept development for the in-house young adult pride collection BP BE PROUD. This collection brought forward a new fit model that was more gender inclusive and celebrated the diversity of the community he came from. Collaboration and connection to community have been critical to his growth as a designer and he is passionate about helping talented creatives thrive in this challenging industry – aiming to leave things better than he found it along the way.
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Zihui Zhao, PhD Student & lecturer, Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles, Washington State University
I am a passionate fashion illustrator and educator. Throughout my career, I have taught aspiring designers the art of creating stunning fashion croquis and illustrations. My workshops blend theory with hands-on practice, helping students grasp the intricacies of fashion sketching. Whether you're a beginner or an enthusiast, I'm here to guide you on your journey to becoming a proficient fashion illustrator.
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Anastasia Frattali, Merchandise Planner, Eddie Bauer
While working in the apparel industry my career experience has revolved around merchandising, buying and inventory planning. I reside in Seattle where I continue to grow my knowledge in the outdoor and apparel industry as a Merchandise Planner for Men’s Woven Shirts and Fleece at Eddie Bauer. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge with future professionals and setting them up on a path to success. My workshop will start with students learning about future season color palettes to choosing the assortment, buying receipts, and planning future inventory. During this workshop you will have the chance to see the entire process from designer hand off to sending off purchase orders. Annie holds a BA and a MS in Apparel, Merchandising & Textiles from Washington State University.
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Storm Haight, Apparel, Textiles, & Merchandising Senior, Central Washington University
As a senior majoring in Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising with a minor in Apparel Design, Storm has nurtured a profound passion for fashion since she was 10, now transitioning that passion into a career. Her mission upon entering the industry professionally is to discover sustainable, eco-friendly methods for clothing production, aiming to leave the world better than she found it. Storm is excited to present her spring collection, "Highland Masquerade," at the upcoming annual CWU fashion show on June 1st.
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Megan West, Owner Claim Clothing
Megan West owns Claim Clothing in the heart of downtown Ellensburg. She is an alumni of Central Washington Universities (CWU) Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising program and won many student awards throughout her time as an undergraduate student. Megan opened Claim Clothing in 2014 with an overall goal to have every type of woman come into her store and embrace their body and personal style. Megan continually gives back to the community by being active in the Ellensburg Downtown Association (2021 Board President), participating in community events, guest speaking at CWU, and sponsoring the annual CWU Fashion Show. Through her hard work she has brought a much-needed retail outlet to Ellensburg that serves all target markets of the community and has won Washington States Excellence on Main Entrepreneur of the Year award.
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Tammie Lenz, Lecturer, Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising, Central Washington University
Tammie Lenz is a Lecturer in the Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising program at Central Washington University, teaching Basic and Advanced Sewing. She has been teaching sewing to students in elementary through high school for over 30 years and most recently at CWU. She has experience with a variety of clothing construction techniques that she brings to the classroom.
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Aidan Lancaster, Photographer
Aidan Lancaster is a photographer from Tacoma, Washington. They graduated with a BA in Art with an emphasis in photography from Pacific Lutheran University in 2020. Aidan’s work focuses primarily on identity, with queer and trans identity at the forefront. They take both personal narrative and documentary focus on the subject as an exploration of both self and belonging in the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting both internal and external pressures or tensions; they work primarily in analog film and processing. Aidan is currently pursuing their MFA at Central Washington University.
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Conference planning committee Bios
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Andrea Eklund, Professor and Program Director, Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising, Central Washington University
Andrea Eklund is a Professor of the Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising program at Central Washington University. She has been at CWU for 16 years and has updated the program to assure students learn a well-rounded base of knowledge about textile and apparel products, merchandising strategies, product development, production processes, trends, consumers and sustainability in smaller classes that focus on hands-on learning. Graduates work for companies such as Nordstrom, Tommy Bahama, zulily, Volcom, and Boeing, among many others.
Andrea has 20 years of apparel industry experience from retail management to design to quality assurance that she applies to the classroom. Professor Eklund’s research interests include apparel design, textiles, body image, and her present project is designing a garment that integrates leather, silk and couture pleating. She is the Student Fashion Association advisor at CWU and just returned from taking 22 students to New York City!
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Michelle Spenser, Family and Consumer Sciences Program Supervisor, Career & Technical Education, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Bio Coming Soon
Tanya Knannlein, Instructor & Lead Program Coordinator, The School of Apparel Design & Development at Seattle Central
Tanya Knannlein has been teaching technology, design and textiles classes at Seattle Central College’s School of Apparel Design & Development for over 20 years. Program graduates have gone on to work as designers, technical designers, product developers, patternmakers, 3D designers, material developers and stylists at companies like Zumiez, Nordstrom, Outdoor Research, Brooks, Filson and Brain Dead. Tanya recently completed a MA in Sustainable Fashion from the University of Applied Sciences in Berlin and graduated with a BFA in Fashion Design and a BA in German from Washington University in St. Louis. She designed clothing for men, children and women for over 10 years in the Seattle fashion industry before branching into freelance textile design and computer instruction for local companies..
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Kelli Gardner-Schrand, Academic Advisor, Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles, Washington State University
Bio Coming Soon
