3 textile creatives to keep an eye on | Up and Comers

Fresh perspectives push us to think differently, challenge what’s been done before and find new ways to stay relevant in a changing market.

Carrie Dillon, managing director at the International Textile Alliance (ITA), firmly believes in this.

“Bringing new talent into the textile industry isn’t just important; it’s essential to keeping the industry moving forward.”

Dillon said the ITA is committed to advancing young people in the textile industry, providing them with education, networking and visibility opportunities through the organization.

The three up-and-coming talents profiled below, Colby Hopper, Anderson Gibbons and Elise Gabrielson are all excited about the future and the companies they support.

“That’s something I’m seeing firsthand with leaders like Elise and Anderson. Both serve on the ITA Board of Directors, and with Elise stepping into the role of president, their ideas are already helping shape how we think about the future of the organization and the industry it supports,” Dillon added.

“And with Colby, I’ve been impressed from the start. From the first time we were introduced, her drive to pursue a career in textile design stood out, and it’s no surprise to see her already finding success so early in her career,” she said. “

Together, they represent the kind of thoughtful, forward-looking talent that will continue to move this industry ahead.”

Colby Hopper, Textile Designer, Sunbrella Fabrics

What inspired you to get into textiles?

Growing up, my mom was a very crafty woman and always had a passion for interior design. I was brought up in a home filled with creativity and DIY projects, and eventually she started her own business sewing drapery panels, pillows and home décor accessories. I ended up switching high schools so I could start taking interior design and apparel courses. While I was there, a representative from N.C. State came and spoke to my class about STEP Camp, the Summer Textiles Exploration Program at the Wilson College of Textiles. I spent a week on campus living in dorms, taking weaving classes, and I just fell in love with everything about textiles. As part of that program, I was nominated for the Centennial Scholarship Program, which is a prestigious 4-year scholarship offered to incoming freshmen based on academics, leadership and interest in textiles.

What do you love most about what you do for Sunbrella?

What I love most about what I do at Sunbrella is bringing an idea to life. Whether it’s a piece of artwork from a customer, something pulled from our archive, or even just a small texture I’ve had in my head, it all comes down to the creation process. I think what’s really special about my role is that I’m not just a designer. At Sunbrella, the design team wears a lot of hats; we can be salespeople, merchandisers and problem-solvers. We’re definitely more than just the “textile nerds” sitting behind a computer cranking out technical designs. A big part of what I love is working directly with customers. I’ve had opportunities to step into rooms I normally wouldn’t find myself in, and working for a leader in the industry like Sunbrella, if you’re a go-getter, there really is no stopping you.

Share something you are most proud of doing while in your role.

One of the things I’m most excited about in my role is working on collaborative collections with our partners. A collaboration I’m especially proud to be part of is our collection with Kelly Ventura. One of the first designs I worked on for that collection was a pattern called Knoll. Kelly is a watercolor artist, and anyone familiar with wovens knows that taking a true-color file with 250+ colors and translating it down to eight colors doesn’t always come out the way you expect. I worked with her original motifs to develop a repeat that would be suitable for a jacquard loom, while also keeping manufacturing feasibility and cost in mind. Kelly made some slight adjustments along the way, and it turned into a really open, collaborative working relationship. It took a lot of technical understanding to bring that pattern to life, and I think it really shows how much I’ve grown over the past few years at Sunbrella.

How has Sunbrella supported you as a textile designer?

Sunbrella has supported me as a textile designer by giving me opportunities to grow, take on new challenges, and step into spaces I might not have otherwise. I work alongside people who have 20–30 years of experience, and it creates such a collaborative environment where you’re constantly learning. That collaboration is especially important in design, where sharing perspectives and building on each other’s ideas leads to stronger outcomes. I genuinely love the team. As a highly motivated individual, getting a job in the industry wasn’t the end goal; it’s just the beginning.

Anderson Gibbons, Chief Revenue Officer, STI/ Revolution Fabrics

Did you always plan to work with your father (Sean Gibbons, CEO of STI)? What led you to become a self-proclaimed “textile nerd”?

When I joined STI, it wasn’t about working for my father; it was about an opportunity to help build something meaningful. What pulled me in was the complexity of textiles. It’s one of those industries where chemistry, engineering, design and consumer behavior intersect. Once you start understanding yarn construction, fiber types and performance characteristics, it becomes hard not to go deeper. That’s where the “textile nerd” comes from — I genuinely enjoy understanding how and why products work.”

What do you love most about what you do for STI/Revolution?

What I love most is that we’re solving real problems for customers in a way that challenges industry norms. At Revolution, we’ve built a brand around the idea that performance should be inherent to the fiber, not added as a chemical finish.

That philosophy has allowed us to differentiate in a crowded market and build trust with both manufacturers and consumers. On a day-to-day level, I enjoy the intersection of strategy and execution, whether that’s launching new products, working with key retail partners, or scaling our direct-to-consumer platform.

Share something you are most proud of doing while in your role.

Building the Revolution Performance Fabrics brand from the ground up is something I’m extremely proud of. When we started, we were competing against well-established legacy brands with significantly more resources. We carved out a position by focusing on a clear message: cleanability without compromise, no added finishes and a strong domestic manufacturing story. Over time, that positioning has allowed us to secure major retail programs, grow a meaningful e-commerce business and establish Revolution as a recognized name in performance textiles.

How has STI/Revolution supported you as VP of Marketing and now CRO?

STI has allowed me to grow alongside the business. Early on, I was given a lot of autonomy to test ideas, build the brand and develop new channels, especially on the digital side. As we’ve grown, that support has expanded into broader leadership responsibility. Moving from VP of Marketing to CRO has allowed me to take a more holistic view of the business—connecting marketing, sales, product development and operations.

It’s been an environment where performance and results drive opportunity, and that’s enabled me to take on new challenges and responsibilities continuously.

Elise Gabrielson, Vice President of Marketing, Crypton Fabrics

What inspired you to get into textile marketing?

I didn’t come from a textile or home furnishings background at all. My path into the industry was completely unexpected. A friend of mine was working at Crypton as a designer and encouraged me to explore an opportunity there. She mentioned they were looking for someone to help elevate their marketing efforts, everything from social media to growing the residential side of the brand, but more than anything, she insisted I meet co-founder Randy Rubin. She described her as incredibly creative and vibrant, and she was right. During my interview, Randy did something I’ll never forget. She had a piece of fabric on her desk, casually spilled her coffee on it, and instead of soaking in, the liquid simply beaded up and sat on the surface. She looked at me and said, “I want to make this a household name.” In that moment, I was completely hooked.

What do you love most about what you do for Crypton?

What I love most about what I do at Crypton is, without question, the people. There’s something truly special about this team. It’s a group of incredibly smart, dedicated and genuinely supportive individuals who push each other to be better every day. The marketing team, in particular, is a constant source of inspiration for me; the level of creativity and fresh thinking they bring to the table keeps me energized and excited about what’s next. I also love the opportunity to collaborate with such an incredible range of brands. Being invited into their worlds and helping tell their stories alongside our own is both a privilege and a creative spark. It keeps the work dynamic and deeply meaningful.

Share something you are most proud of doing while in your role.

Seeing the success and growth of our Crypton Home brand over the last 10 years has been so exciting to see and be part of. Sales and marketing worked really hard to get us where we are today and it truly was a group effort that we are grateful every day. It’s still so fun to see how these amazing brands I admire use our fabrics on their furniture. I’m also proud of hitting 40K Instagram followers a few years ago (when I first started, we had 100 followers) and of launching Crypton Home’s first-ever designer collaboration with Kim Salmela.

How has Crypton supported you in developing your marketing role?

Crypton has played an incredibly meaningful role in my professional growth. I started 10 years ago, managing our social media channels, and over time, I was allowed to expand into leading all residential marketing efforts and a few other responsibilities. Today, as VP of Marketing, I oversee the brand across all channels and have the privilege of leading an amazing team of eight. What’s been most impactful is the trust and support I’ve received at every stage. I’ve consistently been encouraged to take on new challenges, stretch beyond my comfort zone, and grow into each role as it evolved.