International Textile and Apparel Association
The International Textile and Apparel Association promotes the discovery, dissemination, and application of knowledge and is a primary resource for its members in strengthening leadership and service to society. The mission of ITAA is to advance excellence in education, scholarship and innovation, and their global applications. ITAA supports the development of competent professionals in post-secondary textile and apparel programs.
The International Textiles and Apparel Association has its roots in the first half of the twentieth century. In 1935, the United States Office of Education cooperated with institutions of higher learning in studying the curricula. As a result of these curricula studies, conferences of textile and clothing professors have been held annually in at least one of these three geographic regions of the U.S. since 1944.
The first national meeting of textile and clothing professors, planned by a committee representing three geographic regions, was held in Madison, Wisconsin in June, 1959. A National Steering Committee was chosen to coordinate the work of the three regions, encourage means of strengthening college teaching, and develop future plans.