Fireside chat will highlight Ariel’s amazing story and share her
vision of the future of textiles and apparel

Fremont, Calif. – Electronics For Imaging, Inc. today reported that teen fashion designer Ariel Swedroe will be featured in a special “Future of Print” keynote session at the upcoming EFI™ Connect conference in Las Vegas, January 22-25. Swedroe, whose company is Swedroe by Ariel, will be interviewed by Cary Sherburne, senior editor for industry news site WhatTheyThink. Swedroe’s January 24th session at EFI Connect will also feature a fashion show with some of Ariel’s creations, along with samples showing how up-and-coming designers innovate using leading-edge, streamlined digital production technologies like EFI Reggiani textile inkjet printers.

At seven years old, Swedroe knew she had a passion for fashion. Swedroe enjoyed making dresses for her dolls, and when she saw a flyer about classes at Design Lab Miami, her mother signed her up. These classes gave her more skills to explore her interest.

Swedroe has been surrounded by art, architecture and fashion. Her grandfather is architect and collage artist Robert Swedroe, who emerged upon the art scene in 1963 and has been going strong ever since. Young Ariel has passed countless hours in his studio, absorbing lessons on composition and color, and “developing an appreciation for beautiful things,” she says.

Swedroe got the idea to print her grandfather’s colorful and intricate collage designs onto fabric. She thought they would be beautiful prints for apparel, and she also loved the idea of extending his creative work in an entirely new direction. That idea was really the spark that led to her own business, Swedroe by Ariel.

Technology to make designing faster and easier

“I am thrilled to be attending EFI Connect,” Swedroe said. “Even though I have been involved in fashion design for some time, I still have a great deal to learn. Attending EFI Connect will allow me to learn about the latest trends in digital textile printing and the software tools that make designing faster and easier, helping to unleash even more creativity. And I’m looking forward to sharing my story – and my thoughts about what I learn at the conference – with the Connect audience.”

“Not only are we dedicated to advancing the analog-to-digital transformation in textiles and apparel with our suite of textile-related solutions, but we are delighted to be able to shine a light on the great work that is being done by Gen Z-ers, such as Ariel, to transform this important market, building profitable businesses based on digital technologies,” said Frank Mallozzi, chief revenue officer, EFI.

“I am excited to be able to help Ariel share her amazing story at EFI Connect,” said Cary Sherburne, the veteran industry journalist who will be hosting Ariel Swedroe’s session at EFI Connect. “It’s the best fashion story ever, and Connect attendees will be impressed by the poise and dedication of this 15-year-old fashion designer who has already been in business nearly half her life!”

Connect 2019 will bring print professionals from across the globe to Las Vegas for in-depth, informative training and education on key printing and packaging management and technology challenges. The conference is an ideal venue for open dialogue and idea exchange, giving customers a valuable opportunity to participate in educational sessions, receive hands-on experience, discuss industry trends, network with peers, voice their opinions, and learn from others.

With approximately 200 sessions at the four-day conference, Connect gives EFI customers the opportunity to gain vital insights in smart business management. Attendees from all over the world learn the best ways to use EFI’s portfolio of digital inkjet and software solutions, including EFI Reggiani products – a leading line of printers offering eco-friendly production with stunning colors and color fidelity using a variety of inks to support virtually any fabric type. EFI’s textile portfolio also includes EFI Optitex® cutting-edge 2D and 3D CAD technology and EFI Fiery® DesignPro products for textile design and production.

For more information on EFI Connect and to register, visit www.efi.com. For more information about Ariel Swedroe, visit https://swedroebyariel.com/.