STUDENT SPOTLIGHT | Julianna Frixione Proves Pattern is More Than Surface Material With ‘Vivacious’ Textile
Design at its best is a story told in texture, tone, and intention. It’s a reflection of who we are, of the stories we carry, the people who shape us, and the world we hope to build. That belief lies at the heart of Pallas Textiles, and it came to life beautifully through Vivacious—the winning design in the 2025 Pallas Textiles Student Design Competition. Presented in collaboration with KI and the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, the contest celebrates rising talent in textile design while offering a rare platform for students to connect vision with real-world application.
The winning student, Julianna Frixione, created more than a surface pattern. Vivacious became a personal expression of transformation, grounded in legacy.
For Julianna, the story began long before sketchbooks or color palettes. It was rooted in the spirit of her grandmother’s influence and carried forward through a deep appreciation for beauty in the everyday.
Crafting Her Future
This contest offered Julianna more than a prompt—it gave her a rare opportunity to bridge academic study with real-world design exposure.
“There are limited opportunities to engage with textile design at a professional level within my program,” she shared. “This contest excited me because it offered direct exposure to the professionals and industries I care most about.”
As part of her prize, Julianna’s printed textile design was featured at NeoCon 2025 in the Pallas showroom, accompanied by original artwork, color palettes, and inspirational imagery that captured her creative journey. Each piece of the installation revealed part of her creative journey—from early concept to final product—offering visitors a window into the mind of a rising designer.
“My grandmother taught me how to love the mundane and find beauty in the simple things that surround us,” she shared. “She’s always been a phenomenal designer in her own right. This piece is, in many ways, a tribute to her.”
Looking Forward
Pallas Textiles is proud to support the next generation of creators like Julianna Frixione—designers whose passion for purpose-driven design and material storytelling reflects the evolving future of our industry. Her work reminds us that the most compelling textiles don’t just fill space—they reflect who we are, where we’ve come from, and the dreams that guide us forward.
Inspired by Julianna’s journey? The Pallas Textiles Student Design Competition returns in 2026, with KI and a broader network of partners, to bring more student stories to life through textile design.
Republished with permission; this post originally appeared in Pallas Textiles’ “Insights & Inspiration” blog, July 7, 2025.