Design Rooted in Legacy: Julianna Frixione’s Journey from Inspiration to Installation
Blog • July 7, 2025
Discover how one student’s tribute to legacy, nature, and self-expression became Vivacious, the winning design in the 2025 Pallas Textiles Student Design Competition.
Design at its best is a story told in texture, tone, and intention. It’s a reflection of who we are, of the stories we carry, the people who shape us, and the world we hope to build. That belief lies at the heart of Pallas Textiles, and it came to life beautifully through Vivacious—the winning design in the 2025 Pallas Textiles Student Design Competition. Presented in collaboration with KI and the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, the contest celebrates rising talent in textile design while offering a rare platform for students to connect vision with real-world application.
The winning student, Julianna Frixione, created more than a surface pattern. Vivacious became a personal expression of transformation, grounded in legacy.
For Julianna, the story began long before sketchbooks or color palettes. It was rooted in the spirit of her grandmother’s influence and carried forward through a deep appreciation for beauty in the everyday.
Crafting Her Future
This contest offered Julianna more than a prompt—it gave her a rare opportunity to bridge academic study with real-world design exposure.
“There are limited opportunities to engage with textile design at a professional level within my program,” she shared. “This contest excited me because it offered direct exposure to the professionals and industries I care most about.”
As part of her prize, Julianna’s printed textile design was featured at NeoCon 2025 in the Pallas showroom, accompanied by original artwork, color palettes, and inspirational imagery that captured her creative journey. Each piece of the installation revealed part of her creative journey—from early concept to final product—offering visitors a window into the mind of a rising designer.
Nature as a Muse
A product design major with a deep affinity for textiles, Julianna grounded her work in the principles of biophilic design.
“Biophilic design is an approach to interior design that seeks to connect people with nature by incorporating natural elements into a built environment,” she wrote in her contest submission. “I wanted to adapt those principles into a textile design because I believe they offer an opportunity to create visually appealing and emotionally enriching patterns that resonate with people.”
Digitally printed on performance vinyl, Vivacious features organic forms and plant-inspired motifs designed to evoke tranquility, connection, and a sense of emotional well-being. Her thoughtful approach aligns with the brand’s belief that textiles are not just aesthetic tools, but meaningful carriers of experience and story.
Honoring the Past
Julianna’s inspiration extended far beyond design theory. Though her legal surname is Clayton, she designs under the name Frixione in tribute to her grandmother, a creative spirit who greatly influenced Julianna’s creative journey even though she never pursued a formal career in design.
“My grandmother taught me how to love the mundane and find beauty in the simple things that surround us,” she shared. “She’s always been a phenomenal designer in her own right. This piece is, in many ways, a tribute to her.”
Looking Forward
Pallas Textiles is proud to support the next generation of creators like Julianna Frixione—designers whose passion for purpose-driven design and material storytelling reflects the evolving future of our industry. Her work reminds us that the most compelling textiles don’t just fill space—they reflect who we are, where we’ve come from, and the dreams that guide us forward.
Inspired by Julianna’s journey? The Pallas Textiles Student Design Competition returns in 2026, with KI and a broader network of partners, to bring more student stories to life through textile design.
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