Online voters pick student's design as official Purdue tartan

November 13, 2012  


Purdue tartan

Krizia Phillips displays the Purdue tartan that she designed. (Purdue University photo/Amanda LaFree)
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University now has an official tartan plaid, designed by a student and chosen from among three finalists by an online vote.

The winning tartan was designed by Krizia Phillips, a senior majoring in apparel design and technology. It will be used in products such as stadium blankets, ties, vests, scarves, hats and shawls.

Phillips and the other two student designers who were chosen as finalists developed tartans that interpreted Purdue's history and colors. They were chosen for their originality and aesthetics.

Phillips, of Troy, Mich., said her approach was to create a tartan that combined traditional Purdue with a modern style.

"I incorporated the classic Purdue 'old gold' into a vivacious pattern to emphasize the spirit of Purdue," she said.

After graduation, Phillips hopes to move to New York City and pursue a career designing women's ready-to-wear clothing. Winning the tartan competition will be a valuable addition to her resume as she makes that move, she said.

"It also has allowed me to contribute to Purdue's history and add to the many memories I have of Purdue," she said.

The other finalists were Rachel Box of Carmel, Ind., and Elena Winchester of Winnetka, Ill. They also are students in the Department of Consumer Science.

The winning tartan has been verified and reviewed for originality by the Tartan Registry in Edinburgh, Scotland, a division of the Scottish government.

Products featuring the tartan are expected to go on sale sometime in 2013. Funds raised through sales of Purdue tartan products will be used for consumer science student scholarships.

Collegiate Tartan Apparel will produce the products.

Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu

Sources: Sally Harmon, Department of Consumer Science, 765-494-8306, sharmon@purdue.edu

Krizia Phillips, kphilli@purdue.edu

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