dig deeper: the isaic blog

Detroit is leading the future of sustainable fashion, combating landfills one garment at a time. 

Last month, as part of University of Michigan’s Climate Week 2026, leaders from ASICS, Carhartt, and Soft Goods Detroit joined ISAIC President + CEO Jen Guarino for a virtual conversation about climate resilience, innovation, and the future of the soft goods industry.

ISAIC hosted guests from Belgium during their visit to Detroit for the 2026 Detroit Month of Design, including a conversation on textile innovation and creativity, as well as a tour of ISAIC’s new headquarters.

ISAIC hosted Design Core Detroit’s 2026 Design Jam at its new headquarters in CCS, bringing together athletes with disabilities, designers, engineers, makers, and community partners to develop adaptive outdoor sports and recreation solutions that expand access and opportunity for the limb loss and limb difference community.

ISAIC hosted a VIP Open House at its new headquarters, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, community partners, and supporters for an exclusive first look at its expanded advanced manufacturing facility. The event also featured the announcement of two major partnerships that further advance ISAIC’s mission to strengthen the future of American textile and apparel manufacturing.

The Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC), a Detroit-based nonprofit and national resource for textile and apparel manufacturing is partnering with Tukatech, a global leader in fashion technology solutions, to launch a state-of-the-artTUKAcenter in Detroit. 

Read the official press release here.

Last month, ISAIC Project Manager of Training & Innovation, Cassie Franklin, traveled to Pittsfield, New Hampshire, to continue supporting ISAIC's training partnership with MSA Safety. Her visit marked another milestone in the ongoing collaboration to deliver standardized, high-quality sewing operator training across multiple MSA facilities.

Members of the ISAIC team traveled to Ironwood, Michigan, to deliver Business Leadership Training to Jacquart Fabric Products—the company behind the iconic Stormy Kromer brand. This case study explores the objectives, conclusion, and client testimonials of why this was a valuable investment for their team.

This month, ISAIC Training & Innovation Project Manager Cassie Franklin returned to Philadelphia to continue an exciting collaboration with Drexel University's Center for Functional Fabrics.

Last month, two of ISAIC’s team members attended the 2026 National Gathering hosted by Mechanism, centered around the theme, “Imagining the Future of Local Production.”

The gathering brought together makers, manufacturers, policymakers, educators, artists, faith organizations, community leaders, and entrepreneurs to explore what’s possible when production is rooted in community, care, and shared stewardship.

The Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC), has joined the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, a global platform fostering collaboration, innovation, and transparency across the fashion and lifestyle industries.