Cornell University students visit Brandix to explore future of apparel

Cornell University and Brandix teams following the final presentation at Ratmalana Brandix Essentials Centre

Cornell University students participate in a hands-on sewing training session at Brandix Rambukkana facility

A group of students from Cornell University, New York, USA, recently stepped beyond the classroom and into the world of apparel manufacturing through a visit to Brandix and its facilities across Sri Lanka in January. 

The visit brought together PhD candidates and undergraduate students from Fashion Design, Fashion Design Management and Fiber Science within the Human Centred Design Department at Cornell University.

Designed as a hands-on academic-industry collaboration, the visit aimed to give the students the real-world exposure to how apparel is designed, developed and manufactured at scale. More importantly, it offered insight into how innovation, sustainability and ethical responsibility are shaping the future of the fashion industry.

Brandix was a natural partner for this engagement. As a global apparel solutions provider, the organisation operates at the intersection of agility, innovation and sustainability. By opening its doors to the students, Brandix continues to inspire the future change makers — providing them with the opportunity to test ideas, challenge assumptions and understand the realities behind the products consumers wear every day. The collaboration between Cornell and Brandix began in August 2025, with the students engaging closely with Brandix’s production and innovation teams on a series of research-driven projects. Their visit to Sri Lanka marked the culmination of months of learning and exploration, where the students were introduced to the organisation’s end-to-end apparel ecosystem.

The students explored four product concepts, each examining a different dimension of flexibility in apparel design. Each concept was also studied within the context of specific customer brands, offering the students insight into how design innovation aligns with brand identity and market expectations.

The programme included sessions at Brandix Rambukkana, Ratmalana, Biyagama, Ekala, Welisara and the Net-Zero Carbon Koggala facility, offering insights into the areas ranging from sewing and finishing to digital innovation, automation and customer-focused solutions. Following the visits, the students were grouped between Biyagama and Welisara, working closely with Brandix’s innovation teams to refine their research and ideas. The programme concluded with a final presentation and Q&A session at Ratmalana, where the students shared their research findings and learnings. 

The Cornell visit stands as a reflection of Brandix’s continued commitment to learning, collaboration and future-focused innovation.