Fluorescent Fridays: From Plant to Pattern: Exploring Natural Fashion Colors with Almonds and Indigo

From Plant to Pattern: Exploring Natural Fashion Colors with Almonds and Indigo

Speakers:  

Dr Jiangning Che (left) and Apparel Merchandising and Management Students (left to right) Myunggyo (Emily) Yu,Jordan Forbes, Johan Tsai, Gabriel G Romero. 

Projects to be presented: 

Project 1: Almond Waste for Textile Coloration:  This study investigated the use of almond byproducts as an agricultural waste resource for innovative and sustainable textile coloration. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of almond byproducts as an innovative, eco-friendly natural dye source that supports agricultural waste valorization while providing functional performance for sustainable textile applications.

Project 2: From Plant to Pattern: Exploring the Indigo Dyeing and Fashion Design Process: The micro-internship project explores the complete “plant-to-pattern” lifecycle of indigo, emphasizing environmental sustainability, craftsmanship, and experiential learning. The initiative demonstrates how natural dyeing can bridge agriculture, design, and manufacturing while fostering creativity, technical skills, and environmental stewardship within contemporary apparel and textile practices.

Dr Jiangning Che (left) and Apparel Merchandising and Management Students (left to right) Myunggyo (Emily) Yu, Jordan Forbes, Johan Tsai, Gabriel G Romero. 

Jiangning Che is a professor in the Department of Apparel Merchandising and
Management at Cal Poly Pomona. He earned his Ph.D. in Textile Coloration and brings more than 10 years of industry experience in the textile and apparel sector before joining Cal Poly Pomona as an Assistant Professor in 2013. His expertise includes color science, textile coloration, and industrial color applications in textiles and apparel. Dr. Che's research focuses on color science, sustainable textile coloration, and the development of natural dyes from plant-based resources for textile applications.

Gabriel G. Romero, a senior in the AMM Department specializing in Fashion Retail. Gabriel aims to gain extensive industry experience through internships and eventually establish his own manufacturing business, initially serving small businesses before expanding to larger-scale operations. In the long term, he also hopes to launch his own streetwear brand.

Jordan Forbes, is a senior student in the AMM Department specializing in Fashion Design & Product. She has developed knowledge and skills in apparel design, product development and the fashion innovation through her academic studies, internship, and project experiences. She hopes to pursue a career in the fashion industry like Hollywood.

Myunggyo (Emily) Yu: Emily Yu earned her M.S. in International Apparel Management program from Cal Poly Pomona in 2025 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Retail Management at Texas Tech University, with research interests in natural dyeing and consumer perceptions to naturally dyed clothes. 

Johan Tsai: Johan Tsai is a B.S. student at AMM specialize in Fashion Retail at Cal Poly Pomona and a member of the Spring 2026 Indigo Project team, with an interest in sustainable fashion and hands-on product development.

FLUORESCENT FRIDAYS is a platform for university students from all disciplines to network with color professionals and fellow students, and to explore cutting-edge information about color’s role in our lives and applications in the world. 

Global Student Chapter: The long range goal is to build a global student chapter that positions color as a multidimensional STEAM model (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math), sharing up-to-date color research by scientists, artists, designers, industry professionals, and university students.21st century color communication requires a commitment to building bridges for sharing resources, cultivating mentors, and creating new opportunities. With up-to-date information and useful tools, students become the next generation of leaders in ever-evolving color related disciplines.