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Tottico Partners with WVU Students to Launch West Virginia Spirit Beanies

Image courtesy of Tottico

, an emerging textile brand rooted in Appalachian design, has partnered with junior year students from (WVU) to launch a new line of beanies that celebrate heritage, innovation, and community pride. This collaboration highlights the creativity of young designers while reflecting Tottico’s mission to empower local makers and strengthen regional identity. By working directly with students, the project provides hands on exposure to textile product development, from initial concept sketches to finished products, while giving them a platform to showcase their talent. Together, Tottico and WVU are knitting tradition and modern design into products that carry both cultural meaning and everyday utility.

Student Designed Innovation

Image courtesy of Tottico

The project engaged junior year students from , who contributed original image designs for the beanies. Their role centered on creating visual concepts that capture the spirit of West Virginia, blending bold creativity with authentic storytelling. While Tottico managed the technical aspects of production, the students’ artwork became the centerpiece of the collection, turning each beanie into a canvas of local pride. Every product is proudly made in the USA, aligning with Tottico’s mission of storytelling through textiles and ensuring that each piece carries a distinct local voice.

Educational Impact

Image courtesy of Tottico

For the students, this collaboration was far more than a design exercise, it became a comprehensive real world learning opportunity. Junior students from WVU’s School of Art and Design were introduced to the fundamentals of textile development, including yarn materials, the manufacturing process, and how design decisions translate into finished products. By working directly with Tottico, they gained valuable insight into the challenges of textile manufacturing, branding, and market launch, seeing firsthand how creative concepts move from sketch to shelf. The experience allowed them to apply classroom knowledge to industry practice, bridging the gap between academic study and professional application. Early exposure to product development cycles gave these students a deeper understanding of the industry and prepared them for future careers in design and creative fields.

Community Connection

Image courtesy of Tottico

The beanies transcend their role as fashion accessories, serving instead as powerful symbols of Appalachian resilience, creativity, and pride. Each design draws inspiration from the region’s heritage while showcasing the fresh perspective of WVU’s junior year student artists, whose contributions infuse new energy into traditional textile storytelling. Tottico’s founder, Yihong Li, explained that the project is about “restoring pride and opportunity to local textile design while giving students a voice in shaping the future of the industry.” Beyond empowering students, the collaboration actively supports the expansion of local working opportunities by engaging regional makers and production partners, ensuring that the impact reaches beyond the classroom. The initiative also reflects the values championed by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), which promotes innovation, quality, and standards across the textile field. By centering student creativity and strengthening local craftsmanship, the project not only deepens ties between the university and the community but also contributes to regional economic growth, turning each beanie into a shared story of identity, belonging, and industry progress.

Future Plans

Tottico aims to build this collaboration into a continuing practice platform where students can gain hands on experience with textile design, materials, and production. By expanding opportunities for junior year designers to engage directly with industry processes, the initiative supports AATCC’s mission to advance textile innovation and professional development. Looking ahead, Tottico plans to deepen partnerships with local makers and US textile mills, ensuring that student creativity contributes to both regional pride and the broader growth of the American textile industry.

��ɫֱ�� the Author

Yihong Li is the founder of and a textile and energy expert. She serves as secretary for ��ɫֱ��RA31 and previously contributed to RA88. Her writing in ��ɫֱ��Review focuses on technology commercialization and the convergence of textiles and energy.