Melanie Carrico

Area of Expertise

Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Generative AI, Responsible AI, AI fairness, AI for social good, Industry 4.0

Biography

Melanie Carrico is an Associate Professor in the Apparel Design concentration of the Department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies. The primary emphasis of her scholarship is creative work in apparel design. Professor Carrico’s original garment designs have been included in over 50 juried and invited shows both national and international in scope. Her practice-led research has focused on zero-waste pattern cutting techniques for several years. In 2023, her design Lots of Dots – a gradable zero-waste plus size dress won the International Textile and Apparel Association’s Technology in Design award. Another interest of Professor Carrico’s is understanding the needs of and designing clothing for people with disabilities.    

Professor Carrico earned her Master of Fine Arts degree from University of North Texas in 1995. After working as a designer and pattern maker in the apparel industry, she taught at Kent State University for ten years before coming to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2006. The subject matters she teaches include patternmaking, garment construction, 3D garment visualization, and drawing. In 2020, Professor Carrico won the Bryan School of Business and Economics Senior Teaching Excellence Award. She is also an active member in the International Textile and Apparel Association.

Education

Master of Fine Arts in Fashion Design from University of North Texas 1995 

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design from Virginia Commonwealth University 1991 

Publications/Creative Designs

Select juried exhibitions 

1. Carrico, M. (November 10, 2023). Lots of Dots – a gradable zero-waste plus size dress. International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD. *winner of the ITAA Technology in Design award  

2. Carrico, M. (October 27, 2022). Leave no trace – Zero-waste convertible hiking pants and jacket. International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference, Denver, CO.  

3. Carrico, M. (November 16, 2021). Amethyst Evolution: zero-waste activewear for multiple sizes. International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference, online conference.  

4. Carrico, M. (November 18, 2020). Gradable Zero-waste Skirt and Blouse. International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference, online conference.  

5. Carrico, M. (October 27, 2019). Bat-wing Denim Dress. International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV 

6. Carrico, M. (October 27, 2019). Maternal Dress. International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV  * also exhibited in April 2019 

7. Carrico, M. (Apr. 5-20, 2019). Maternal Dress. Upbringing, Downtown Gallery, Indiana University, Kokomo, IN  * also exhibited in October 2019 

8. Carrico, M. (November 7, 2018). Zero-what? International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference, Cleveland, OH 

9. Carrico, M. (June 27, 2017). Three Sisters. American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences National Conference, Dallas, TX 

10. Carrico, M. (June 24, 2016). Gingham zero-waste dress. American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences National Conference, Bellevue, WA 

Select publications:  

Carrico, M.; Dragoo, S.L.; McKinney, E.; Stannard, C.; Moretz, C.; Rougeaux-Burnes, A. (2022) An Inquiry into Gradable Zero-Waste Apparel Design. Sustainability, 14, 452. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010452

Carrico, M. & Kim, V. (2014) Expanding zero-waste design practices: a discussion paper. International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 7:1, 58- 64, https://doi.org/10.1080/17543266.2013.837967

Curriculum vitae