Soliyarn builds textile coatings and conductive systems that let fabric heat, sense moisture and shed water without losing its hand. As a fashion design intern I helped the R&D team turn that technology into prototypes people could actually wear and test.
The headline project was a custom heated glove for Kimber Cross, an alpinist, adaptive athlete and kindergarten teacher born without her right hand. I flew out to meet her, took molds and measurements of her limb, sketched the concept and built the glove set around her climbing.
What I did
Designed layouts for heating panels and power routing that keep the glove comfortable and flexible.
Placed sensors and connectors so the electronics stay out of the way of fit and movement.
Chose substrates and coatings for durability, breathability and hand, and joined prototype testing cycles.
Role
Fashion design intern
When
May to August 2023
Company
Soliyarn
Focus
Heated garments, DWR coatings, liquid sensing
Kimber Cross's finished glove set.Taking a mold of Kimber's hand.Concept sketch for Kimber's glove.Soliyarn's post about the visit.Heated cuff at its highest setting.Prototype heated cuff.Heated cuff panel layout.Water-repellent coating in action.Durable water-repellent (DWR) coating test.Heated cuff prototype demo.Liquid-sensing diaper prototype.Water-repellent performance shorts prototype.The Soliyarn team.
Let's make something
I'm open to freelance design, consulting, small-batch production, R&D partnerships and custom rhinestone work. Email is the fastest way to reach me.