Rising Ahead: Alumna Cassia Lewis '13 Climbs the Ladder of Success
Hangin' with the Wolfpack, from STEP camps to Swisstex:
Meet Cassia Lewis, a dedicated textile guru who's got the West Coast buzzing. Born and raised practically on the campus grounds of North Carolina State University (NC State), Cassia, a second-gen alum of the Wilson College of Textiles, rocked her way through undergrad, balancing high-octane energy with top-tier performance.
Her dad, a textile engineering grad of '94, left a lasting impression on her, igniting a passion for textiles that eventually led her back to NC State. But it was her experience at the Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP) that sealed the deal.
STEP camp, a residential program for rising high school seniors, introduced Cassia to the world of textiles and design. A tradition in her family, Cassia became the second generation of her family to attend the program; her parents even met there back in the '90s.
Through STEP camp, she was offered a full-ride, Duke Kimbrell (Parkdale)-sponsored Erlanger Merit scholarship. With this academic boost, she became a force to be reckoned with, joining the ranks of the Wilson College of Textiles and graduating in 2013 with a B.S. in Fashion and Textile Management.
But Cassia's story doesn't begin and end with textiles. Dance was once the center of her universe, with her mother teaching her until age seven, when she transitioned to a professional ballet studio. For a while, she dreamt of life on stage, but the reality of a ballerina's career ending at 35 made her reconsider, fueling her drive to pursue her education.
Once on the NC State campus, she excelled, serving on the Student Advisory Board, being a member of textile honor society Sigma Tau Sigma, and even swimming her way through life with the NC State Swim Club.
Off campus, her spirit was unbounded, landing roles as the marketing director for Beleza, A Fair Trade Boutique in Cameron Village and head coach for the Garner Dolphins swim team. Her multifaceted talents even led her to serve as a teaching assistant for David Hinks, dean of the Wilson College of Textiles and Cone Mills Distinguished Professor of Textile Chemistry.
Her knack for innovation sparked her senior collection, a seven-piece haute couture bridal gown set, each hand-embellished with intricate tambour beadwork. But it was her forward-thinking project during her junior year that truly catapulted her into the industry.
In the guise of undergraduate research, she partnered with International Textile Group (now Elevate Textiles) to discover alternative uses for their proprietary No Fly Zone technology, which repels insects. Her idea? Manufacturing tents for outdoor events. Impressed by her creativity, the company handed her a job offer based on her proposal.
Five years later, she found herself yearning for a change. In true Cassia fashion, she landed her dream job at Swisstex, a circular knit manufacturer with facilities in Los Angeles, California and El Salvador. As their director of business development, she collaborates with powerhouse brands such as Nike and adidas, while also spearheading the company's internal sustainability efforts.
In the realm of sustainability, Swisstex leads the charge, boasting a state-of-the-art dye house that's as eco-friendly as a textile factory can be. With a commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, Swisstex is breaking barriers in the industry, helping brands meet their sustainability goals and inspiring others to follow suit.
When she's not making waves in the textile world, you can find Cassia soaking up the California sunshine, exploring the great outdoors, and enjoying the beauty that her career in textiles has brought her.
As she reflects on her journey, she's grateful for the role that NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles have played in her life. Her family, she tells us, has been her ultimate inspiration, instilling within her the drive to succeed and a love for the textile industry that can't be quelled.
- Cassia Lewis, a Textiles guru, is captivating the West Coast with her dedication.
- A second-generation Wilson College of Textiles alum, Cassia thrived through undergraduate studies.
- Textile engineering graduate of '94, her father inspired her love for textiles that led her back to NC State.
- At the Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP), Cassia discovered her passion for textiles and design.
- An Erlanger Merit scholarship recipient, Cassia became a formidable force in the Wilson College of Textiles.
- Dancing was central to Cassia's world, with her mother teaching her until age seven, and she later joined a professional ballet studio.
- Serving on the Student Advisory Board, being a member of Sigma Tau Sigma, and swimming with the NC State Swim Club, Cassia excelled during college.
- Outside college, Cassia held roles as the marketing director for Beleza, a Fair Trade Boutique, and head coach for the Garner Dolphins swim team.
- Her talents expanded to include serving as a teaching assistant for David Hinks, dean of the Wilson College of Textiles, and Cone Mills Distinguished Professor of Textile Chemistry.
- Cassia's senior collection showcased seven intricate haute couture bridal gowns hand-embellished with tambour beadwork.
- Leveraging her junior year research project, Cassia partnered with International Textile Group on alternative uses for their No Fly Zone technology, leading to manufacturing tent solutions.
- In 2018, Cassia joined Swisstex as their director of business development, collaborating with brands like Nike and adidas and focusing on sustainability efforts.
- Swisstex, with Cassia's guidance, champions sustainability with eco-friendly facilities and champions industry change regarding sustainability goals.
