Design and Product Development

From Classroom to Commercialization: A Conceptual Framework for Wearable Soft-good Product Innovation

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Abstract

Wearable soft-good innovation in functional apparel and assistive technologies can often begin in classroom settings but rarely advances toward commercialization due to limited exposure to interdisciplinary mentorship, user-centered validation, and entrepreneurial pathways. This concept paper introduces a ten-step commercialization framework derived from the authors’ reflective progression from academic ideation to intellectual property development, user testing, and start-up company formation. Integrating principles of functional apparel design, performance evaluation, and entrepreneurship, the framework highlights key stages such as user-centered problem discovery, iterative prototyping, IP protection, customer discovery through NSF I-Corps, and engagement with university incubators and funding mechanisms. Together, these stages form a roadmap to guide student innovators and academic mentors through the full cycle of wearable product development with commercialization as a strategic goal. This work contributes a structured model to support emerging designers in translating high-potential classroom innovations into market-ready solutions.

Keywords: product development, commercialization, design innovation, fashion star-ups

How to Cite:

Hashemian Esfahani, B. & Eike, R. J., (2025) “From Classroom to Commercialization: A Conceptual Framework for Wearable Soft-good Product Innovation”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21745