“Of
course I was interested and willing to help Jack DuFour, (Co-Founder, Taaluma
Totes) on their backpack project.” says Dr. LuAnn Gaskill, Professor in the
Apparel Program. She had first learned
of the Engineering students working on the backpack project from Dr. Doris
Kincade, Professor in the Apparel Program, who had met with Jack in his quest
for marketing and manufacturing insights.
Dr. Kincade met with the student team and discussed the specifications they needed - fabric
requirements, stitching, dimensions, standards, etc. She also shared information on costing - how
to cost and what to consider when costing. Together with Peggy
Quesenberry (Trainer/Instructor in the Apparel Program), Dr. Kincade discussed
manufacturing information pertaining to how and where they could have the bags produced
and the type of skills needed to construct the backpacks. Dr. Gaskill became involved given her
experiences in international small business management and marketing.
The
students approached Dr. Gaskill with their backpack project concept, fabrics,
and design ideas. “Working with the
students, I created the prototype backpacks including the patterns and design
specifics.” A first sample prototype was
made, feedback was collected, and a second set of prototypes were created and
constructed by Dr. Gaskill. Jack took it
from there and thus began Taaluma Totes.
Jack
writes, “Dr. Gaskill spent countless hours with our team to develop prototypes
and patterns to send to Uganda in order to ramp up local production efforts.” Taaluma Totes offers handmade Uganda
backpacks crafted by local artisans; proceeds from sales help fund scholarships
for students in Uganda.
Learn more about Taaluma Totes:
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/taaluma-totes-international-backpacks-that-carry-a-country
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/taaluma-totes-international-backpacks-that-carry-a-country
Taaluma Totes gives back to international fabric sellers; Collegiate Times, Oct. 14, 2013:
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