In this course, students are supported by external partners and explore the way technology influences the aesthetics, function, and value of textiles in fashion. Teams of students are paired with external industry partners to address contemporary issues related to textiles and develop an integrative approach to textiles and technology. The Textiles Industry Partnership course is framed around a problem introduced by the partnering organization, which students research and propose and prototype solutions to. Over the course of the semester, students are supported by course faculty and experts from the partnering organization as they develop their ideas into well-thought-out solutions and presentations. Each semester the partnership will change, as will the assignment and approach. This course is required for MFA Textiles students and can serve as an elective for students from the MFA Interior Design, Industrial Design, and Fashion Design programs, as well as graduate students in other aligned studies, resulting in cross-disciplinary teams.