Abby Ellis ’15, Design Manager at Richloom Fabrics Group, Joins the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council

After her introduction to the Wilson College of Textiles the summer before her senior year of high school at the Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP), Abby Ellis realized her passion for the industry and felt the indescribable sense of community that NC State offers. 

In 2010, Ellis made her exciting transition from Mint Hill, North Carolina, to Raleigh, where she embarked on her academic and career journey at NC State.

While invested in her fashion and textile design coursework, she gained a firm foundation in technical textiles and explored her creative talents in design work. She not only grew academically but also involved herself in various extracurricular activities, such as the Kappa Delta Sorority, STOP Hunger Now and intramural sports. She also frequently submitted her work to local design shows and competitions. 

I graduated with competitive foundations of creative and technical design in woven textiles. Through the Wilson College of Textiles’ strong industry partnerships, I was exposed to specialized technology, one of which I use every day.

Those enriching experiences, combined with numerous internships and a study abroad program in Florence, Italy, ultimately led Ellis to where she is today: serving as the design manager of upholstery at the Richloom Fabrics Group.

She contributes much of her success to the connections she formed with industry professionals and learning opportunities from Wilson College faculty, such as former Professor of Practice Nancy Webster ’75, who now serves as president of the North Carolina Textile Foundation Board of Directors. 

“Nancy Webster was one of my first-year studio professors,” Ellis says. “With her guidance and support, she challenged me to look at opportunities as a way to grow as a designer. She has served as a role model for me as a successful woman in the textile industry.” 

Webster’s mentorship encouraged Ellis to make strides in her career, including submitting her designs to the college’s Inaugural Fashion Week Runway Show in 2012. Ellis was even recognized with the Louis Cramer Textile Design Award for her work and achievements as a designer during her time at NC State. 

Ellis is proud to maintain her connection to the Wilson College of Textiles in her new role as a member of the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council (DYALC). The DYALC, which consists of alumni members under the age of 40, provides guidance to the dean of the college. Since joining the DYALC, her enthusiastic participation, along with the entire council’s leadership, has directly benefited the college’s success in alumni engagement and fundraising in partnership with the North Carolina Textile Foundation. The foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of the Wilson College of Textiles, propels the college’s groundbreaking and industry-leading work. 

You can learn more about Ellis’ career journey in the Q&A below.

Degree: B.S. Fashion and Textile Design, with a concentration in Textile Design, 2015
Job Title: Design Manager of Upholstery, Richloom Fabrics Group
Current City: Mebane, North Carolina
Hometown: Mint Hill, North Carolina  

Why did you choose NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles?

I had the opportunity to attend the Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP) the summer before my senior year of high school and fell in love with NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles. I have always had an interest in art, design and textiles, but I never knew there were career opportunities that combined all those aspects until I got to experience what the Wilson College of Textiles had to offer.

What activities were you involved in as an NC State student and how did they impact your experience?

I participated in a variety of activities, such as living in a Living and Learning Village, playing intramural sports, joining Greek life, attending campus events, submitting projects to design competitions, completing two summer internships in New York City, and studying abroad in Italy. Each experience gave me a unique opportunity to make lifelong friends, engage in my local community and expand my view on a global scale.

What is your fondest memory as a student at NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles?

Submitting an original design and being selected to show at the inaugural Fashion Week Runway Show in 2012.

How did your education at the Wilson College of Textiles prepare you for what you are doing today?

I graduated with competitive foundations of creative and technical design in woven textiles. Through the Wilson College of Textiles’ strong industry partnerships, I was exposed to specialized technology, one of which I use every day. The hands-on experience in the labs prepared me for working in manufacturing and collaborating with technicians to create cost and time-efficient textiles. 

In what ways are you currently involved with the Wilson College of Textiles and NC State?

I have the opportunity to engage with prospective students during informational virtual events, attend on-campus events, provide tours to current students and faculty through my company’s manufacturing plant, and review scholarship applications. Because of my experience at the Wilson College of Textiles, I am a strong supporter of the North Carolina Textile Foundation, which furthers the mission and impact that the Wilson College of Textiles has on the future of the textile industry.