From the Sector

Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’54 – a.k.a. RBG – was an influencer before it was even a profession, advocating for women’s equality. Her personal style, and the substance behind it, will be on display in the Human Ecology Building in an exhibit, “Fashioning Justice: Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’54 and the Power of Presence.”

One theme of the exhibit will be “The Politics of Lace,” and its ascension from accessory to a feature often worn by Ginsburg.

The exhibit – a collaboration between the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy and the College of Human Ecology – will run March 16 to May 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, in the Rachel Hope Doran ’19 and Terrace Level Display Cases in the Human Ecology Building. A celebration event on April 14 will feature remarks by Ginsburg’s granddaughter, Clara Spera, an attorney at Hecker Fink LLP who has worked on her grandmother’s defining issue, reproductive rights, with the National Women’s Law Center.

The exhibit will feature accessories, on loan from family members, from Ginsburg’s personal wardrobe, including her signature lacy judicial collars (among them her distinctive “Dissent” collars) along with gloves, COVID masks, handbags, jewelry and scarves. Cornellian yearbooks and a Class of 1954 Freshman Desk Book, from Cornell University Library, will also be displayed.

Pieces from the Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection (CF+TC) expand the narrative, with examples of fashion and justice influenced by Ginsburg’s legal legacy.

“This is a really exciting opportunity to talk about the intersections of fashion, law, freedom of expression, and clothing as symbolic speech” said exhibit curator Denise Green, Lau Family Associate Professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of Human Centered Design, in the College of Human Ecology (CHE).

Denise Green shows students around the Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection and highlights artifacts on loan from the family of Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’54. “Women have used fashion, historically and in the present day, as both voice and strategy to seek justice, navigate inequalities, and challenge some of the assumptions about how authority is defined and regulated through appearance,” said Green, director of the CF+TC.

Ginsburg, a College of Arts and Sciences alumna who died at age 87 in 2020, popularized lacy judicial collars alongside Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female Supreme Court justice. Over time, Ginsburg’s collars developed more precise meanings and could signal whether she had written a majority opinion or, more famously, when she was dissenting.

“The judicial robe is itself a symbolic garment intended to convey authority, impartiality and uniformity,” Green said. “But because the judicial robe was designed for a man’s body, it left space at the neckline for a collar and tie, allowing for individual expression to peek through.”

The court’s only two female justices seized the opportunity.
“There was something both witty and bold in the way that they exaggerated this already-obvious difference with lace and other materials associated with femininity,” Green said.

One theme of the exhibit will be “The Politics of Lace,” and its ascension from accessory to a feature, Green said, with “symbolic meaning. It has often been dismissed as a delicate, decorative, frilly add-on, but lace represents labor, skill accumulated over generations, and economies made possible by women’s work.”
Other themes include “Carrying Rights: Handbags, Pockets, and Professional Dress”; “Campus Constraints: Fashion and Life at Cornell, 1950-1954”; “Clothing as Care: Connecting Family, Community, and Nation”; and “Signaling Dissent.”

Students in this semester’s Learning Where You Live (LWYL) course, “Fashioning Justice: RBG and the Arts,” taught in Ginsburg Hall, are each researching and writing a label for an artifact being displayed at the exhibition. The students will also create an original artwork relating to the intersection of fashion and justice and RBG’s legacy, which will be displayed in the nearby Jill Stuart Gallery as a companion show.

“Beyond learning about her landmark cases, the course also explores how fashion and law are more connected than most people realize,” said Samantha Alberts, M.A. ’24, a doctoral student in fiber science and apparel design. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg showed up every day to a room full of men who did not always agree with her, and she made her presence known through what she wore. Her collars, her gloves, her purses were never just accessories. They were statements.”

“The students all do recognize RBG, not only for her judicial work but also as an icon of social justice and civil rights,” said Kristen Underhill, professor at Cornell Law School and faculty-in-residence at Ginsburg Hall. Underhill and Green are co-teaching the LWYL course.

In addition to remarks from Spera, the April 14 event will feature a screening of the 15-minute short film, “Making the Case: A Supreme Court Justice and Her Bags,” with filmmaker Jennifer Callahan. The event will take place from 5-7 p.m. in Room G155 of Martha Van Rensselaer Hall; those wishing to attend can RSVP here.
Both the exhibit and the event were made possible by a gift to the Brooks School from Jeff ’79 and Christie Weiss P’11 and ’14.

The Supervisory Board of adidas AG resolved on several matters regarding the Executive and Supervisory Board that ensure leadership continuity and underpin the company’s successful trajectory of strong and profitable growth.

Executive Board
The Supervisory Board of adidas AG has extended Bjørn Gulden’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer until December 31, 2030. Bjørn Gulden has been a member of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of adidas AG since January 1, 2023.

“With his long-standing experience, his deep understanding of our industry, his strong leadership, and his clear focus on quality growth, Bjørn Gulden drove the successful turnaround of adidas during the past three years”, says Thomas Rabe, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. “Under his leadership, adidas has made tremendous operational and financial progress in a challenging environment, laying a strong foundation for further sustainable top- and bottom-line growth in the future. The extension of his contract is a clear commitment to continuity, stability, and a continued trustful collaboration between the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board. We are convinced that, together with his Executive Board team, Bjørn Gulden will continue to make adidas successful in the long run.”

Moreover, the Supervisory Board of adidas AG has also extended the appointment of Michelle Robertson, responsible for Global Human Resources, People and Culture, until December 31, 2031.

“I am delighted to announce that we have also extended Michelle Robertson’s appointment. During the past two years, she has successfully driven the development and direction of the global HR organization and our corporate culture. She accelerated key initiatives in the areas of people & culture, talent development, and modern working environments, thus further improving the company’s performance and adidas’ position as an attractive employer brand“, says Thomas Rabe.

Supervisory Board
In view of the Annual General Meeting on May 7, 2026, the Supervisory Board of adidas AG has furthermore agreed to propose the re-election of Nassef Sawiris to the Supervisory Board for a further three-year term of office. Following the Annual General Meeting, the Supervisory Board intends to elect Nassef Sawiris as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. He is to succeed Thomas Rabe as Chairman, whose term of office will end as planned at the close of the upcoming Annual General Meeting.

Nassef Sawiris (65) has been a member of the Supervisory Board since June 2016, and has been Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board since 2025.

“With Nassef Sawiris, the Supervisory Board will win an experienced entrepreneur and investor as Supervisory Board Chairman. Nassef has already accompanied adidas for many years as a Supervisory Board member and has contributed significantly to the strategic development of the company. His significant shareholding in adidas through NNS underscores his strong and long-term commitment to the company and alignment with shareholder interests. In addition, his international perspective and entrepreneurial vision will strengthen adidas further in a dynamic market environment. As Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Nassef Sawiris will be a driving force in the continued successful collaboration with the Executive Board and will represent the interests of our shareholders in a responsible manner. I would like to wish him and the entire Supervisory Board every success for the future”, says Thomas Rabe, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of adidas AG.

Thomas Rabe (60) has been a member of the Supervisory Board since 2019 and Chairman since August 2020. Thomas Rabe’s term as Chairman was a period of change and stabilization, marking a strategic restart for adidas AG.

Nassef Sawiris says: “I am delighted about my nomination for the position of Chairman of the Supervisory Board of adidas AG. In a time when there are still huge opportunities for our company in a very attractive industry, it is particularly important to me to take an active part in shaping the future of adidas together with my Supervisory Board colleagues and the Executive Board. I greatly appreciate the achievements of Bjørn and his team so far, and I am looking forward to continuing our close collaboration as we jointly guide adidas into its next chapter. Already today, I would like to thank Thomas Rabe on behalf of all Supervisory Board members for his long-standing leadership, the trustful collaboration, and his achievements for the company.”

Besides Nassef Sawiris, the Supervisory Board will also propose to the Annual General Meeting in May 2026 that Ian Gallienne (55), Chairman of the Board of Directors, Groupe Bruxelles Lambert, be re-elected for a term of three years.

As a new member of the Supervisory Board, Mathias Döpfner, Chief Executive Officer of Axel Springer SE, will be proposed for election to the shareholders. Mathias Döpfner (63) has been Chief Executive Officer of Axel Springer SE since 2002, transforming the company from a traditional publishing house into a digital media group during this time. Thomas Rabe says: “Mathias Döpfner will complement the Supervisory Board perfectly with his strong executive leadership experience and his deep expertise in brand building, digital transformation, and corporate governance. He brings valuable strategic insight into global markets, consumer engagement, and commercial growth, making him a highly qualified candidate for our Supervisory Board.”

The Annual General Meeting of adidas AG will take place in the Stadthalle Fürth, Germany, on May 7, 2026.

DyStar, a leading specialty chemical company with a heritage of more than a century in product development and innovation, announced the appointment of Ruan Cunfan to its Board of Directors, effective 20 February 2026. His appointment and the conclusion of Yao Jianfang’s tenure mark a seamless transition, reinforcing stability while opening doors to new opportunities.

Ruan Cunfan graduated from Claremont McKenna College in the United States, holding dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics & Accounting and Chemistry. He currently serves as a Director and Assistant to the Chairman of Zhejiang Longsheng Group Co., Ltd., and as Assistant to Chairman of Longsheng Group Holdings (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. He brings extensive experiences, having built a distinguished career overseeing its Group real estate investment strategy, operations, and management. His appointment reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening governance and driving long-term strategic growth globally. At the same time, Yao Jianfang will be stepping down from the Board. 

“The appointment of Ruan Cunfan marks an important step in strengthening our Board for the future,” said Ruan WeiXiang, Chairman, Board of Directors, DyStar Group. “His visionary expertise and innovative leadership will be instrumental as we continue to advance DyStar’s internationalization process. This transition reflects our commitment to leadership continuity, while also embracing new opportunities aligned with our long-term vision for responsible and resilient development.” 

“We are delighted to welcome Ruan Cunfan to the Board at this pivotal moment in the Group’s journey,” said Xu Yalin, Managing Director, President and CEO of DyStar Group. “His fresh perspective and outstanding innovative capabilities will help us further expand our impact, while embedding sustainability deeply into every facet of our strategy. At the same time, we pay tribute to Yao Jianfang, thanking him for his past contributions to the Board, and we look forward to his continued insights and guidance at the shareholder level in support of DyStar’s growth.”

DyStar Group remains committed as it embarks on its next phase of growth. The Group looks forward to building stronger partnerships, advancing sustainability initiatives, and delivering enhanced value across its global operations.

Luxembourg-based OCSiAl, the global leader in industrial synthesis of graphene nanotubes, announces the appointment of Antigone Loudiadis as a director.
 
An investment entity owned by Ms. Loudiadis made a substantial investment in OCSiAl at the end of 2025. This investment followed an investment earlier that year by a Luxembourg “club” of investors.
 
Ms. Loudiadis founded and led Rothesay Life, one of the UK’s leading pension insurers. Prior to the establishment of Rothesay Life, Ms. Loudiadis was a partner at Goldman Sachs International and cohead of its European Investment Banking Division. Over the course of her 30-year career as a senior financial executive, she led complex structured and M&A transactions and managed senior relationships with governments and multinational institutions.
 
“I am very excited to be joining OCSiAl,” said Ms. Loudiadis. “It’s cutting-edge deep tech that takes established industries—like tires and coatings—to a new level. But it also goes hand in hand with the next step in the development of EVs, data centers, AI, robotics and aerospace.”
 
“I am delighted to have Addy on the board. She brings a rare combination of deep capital markets expertise and firsthand experience in building and governing large, capital-intensive businesses,” said Peter Cuneo, Chairman of the OCSiAl Board. “As OCSiAl accelerates its industrial scale-up and prepares for significantly larger long-term investments, her perspective will be invaluable in shaping our capital strategy, strengthening governance, and engaging with a broader base of global investors.”
 
As advanced materials increasingly take on strategic importance alongside energy and capital, OCSiAl’s current phase of industrial scale-up places the company at the center of this shift.

Kornit Digital Ltd., a global market leader in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production technologies, today announced the appointment of Andrew G. Backman as Chief Capital Markets Officer, effective January 13, 2026. In this role, Mr. Backman will support Kornit’s capital markets activities, investor relations, and corporate and business development initiatives. 

Mr. Backman, who will be based at the Company's U.S. Headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey, has extensive capital markets and investor relations experience, participating in more than $30 billion in capital markets transactions, and maintaining long-standing relationships with institutional investors, sell-side analysts, and global investment banking partners. He previously served as Kornit’s Global Head of Investor Relations from 2021 to 2023. 

Mr. Backman recently served as Global Head of Investor Relations at EMCOR Group, Inc. (NYSE: EME), with prior experiences including senior capital markets and investor relations roles across more than 14 industries. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Boston College and is a graduate of AT&T / Lucent Technologies’ Financial Leadership Program. 

Ontex Group NV, a leading international developer and producer of personal care solutions, announces that, further to the announcement on December 11, 2025 regarding CEO succession, the Board has decided to accelerate Laurent Nielly’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer to January 13, 2026. This acceleration reflects the Board’s confidence in Nielly’s readiness to assume Ontex’s leadership, enabling him to take ownership of the 2026 plan from the outset of the financial year. Gustavo Calvo Paz will remain with Ontex through the end of January to ensure a seamless transition.

Under Nielly’s leadership a review of all strategic options will be undertaken to identify additional opportunities to further drive profitable growth and unlock the inherent value in Ontex. The review will cover all levers available to enhance the company’s performance, including business portfolio, operational footprint and route to market, with a clear goal to improve cash generation and return on investment. A Strategy Committee of the Board of Directors will be established to accelerate the review, facilitate decision-making and ensure careful oversight over the execution of Ontex’s medium- and long-term plans.

To strengthen the Board following the resignation of Jesper Hojer, the Board has co-opted Lorenzo Grabau as a non-executive director and will submit his ratification at the next shareholders’ meeting. Grabau brings extensive capital markets and strategic transformation expertise that will be invaluable as Ontex continues to execute its strategic and value creation agenda. Grabau has considerable experience as director and chair of, and senior advisor to, various listed and non-listed companies. He served as President and CEO of Kinnevik AB, a Swedish listed investment company. Prior to that, he was a Partner at Goldman Sachs.

Starting January 1, 2026, Stefan Moll will take over the management of Mahlo GmbH + Co. KG, a global leading provider of measurement and control technology for web-shaped materials. The current CEO, Rainer Mestermann, will leave the company after 14 years as part of a planned succession arrangement.

“Stefan Moll is an excellent choice as the new CEO for our traditional company,” says Mahlo owner Ralph Greenwood-Mahlo. “We look forward to his expertise, fresh ideas, and perspectives.”

Moll brings extensive experience in managing global machinery and plant engineering companies. In addition to international corporations, the new CEO is also familiar with the structures and characteristics of larger medium-sized family businesses. “Family businesses think long-term, act sustainably, and place great value on close, trusting cooperation,” explains the new CEO regarding his decision to join Mahlo. Most recently, he served as Technical Managing Director at the Kiefel Group, a system supplier for leading plastic, thermoforming, and welding technologies based in Freilassing, where he was responsible for technical innovations, the digital strategy, and one of the globally operating divisions.

Focus on Innovation and Strategic Development
The graduate engineer describes himself as an innovation enthusiast and driver—qualities that are particularly valuable during the current transformation phase. “We are currently in a decisive phase of strategic alignment,” says Moll. He defines his goals as “making Mahlo a profitable and future-proof company and inspiring employees, customers, and owners with the right strategy.” Stefan Moll succeeds Rainer Mestermann, who led the machinery manufacturer for nearly 15 years.

Following the success of its inaugural year, MAXXAM®, the iconic textile brand founded by visionary designer and inventor Rosemary Moore, once again joins forces with Graduate Fashion Foundation (GFF) to launch the second edition of their innovative national design competition. Building on the momentum, creativity, and exceptional talent showcased last year, the 2025/26 competition invites fashion students across the UK and internationally to reimagine the future of womenswear using MAXXAM’s celebrated seamless, four-way stretch textiles.

Open to second- and final-year students from GFF member universities, the competition challenges entrants to create a trend-led womenswear S/S 2027 capsule collection. This year’s brief places a stronger spotlight on interchangeable, multipurpose athleisure-inspired pieces, with particular emphasis on swimwear, honouring MAXXAM’s heritage as the textile that redefined body-con dressing and one-size-fits-all silhouettes. Students are encouraged to explore new stripe variations, jacquards, surface effects and sustainable design strategies, reflecting the brand’s ongoing commitment to low-waste manufacturing and its transition toward bio-based fibres.
 
First created in the early 1980s, MAXXAM® became a global phenomenon for its distinctive crinkle texture, technical innovation and body-inclusive fit, earning its place in popular culture, on international runways, and even in the permanent collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum. Today, MAXXAM continues to evolve, with new textures, scuba-inspired surfaces and sustainable yarn developments offering designers fresh creative opportunities. 

Rosemary Moore, inventor of the original MAXXAM® fabric said, “We are excited once more to be part of GFW It was a real pleasure connecting to the new generation of students last year and supporting them through the creative and the manufacturing process, we are aiming this year to also take them behind the scenes of our textile manufacturing in the midlands, especially if they offer creative concepts we can put into practice for them.”

Three finalists will be selected to produce one full look from their submitted range, working hands-on with MAXXAM Textiles and its UK manufacturing partners. These final looks will be showcased at Graduate Fashion Week 2026, displayed within the exhibition and modelled on the catwalk during the prestigious Gala Show.

From these finalists, Rosemary Moore will name one overall winner, who will be awarded a trophy live on the Gala runway on 18 June 2026, alongside a £250 cash prize and further industry mentoring experiences. There is also the potential for winning designs to be considered for future commercial development. 

Students are encouraged to document their design journey online, sharing updates, videos and in-progress work using #MaxxamXGFW. 

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announces the hiring of Rachael Davis as the new Publisher / Chief Content Officer for INDA Media, effective January 5, 2026. Davis will provide strategic leadership for the International Fiber Journal and International Filtration News, guiding the publications into their next phase of growth, engagement, and industry impact.

Davis brings a strong blend of technical expertise, editorial leadership, and deep knowledge of the fibers, textiles, and nonwovens sectors. Before joining INDA, she served as Executive Editor for Textile World, Textile World Asia, and Textiles Panamericanos within the Textile Industries Media Group, LLC. A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, she holds a Bachelors of Applied Science in Polymer and Textile Chemistry and began her career working directly in the textile industry before transitioning into publishing. Over the past two and a half decades, she has advanced through a variety of editorial roles, earning a reputation for clarity, accuracy, and thoughtful industry reporting.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rachael to INDA,” said Tony Fragnito, INDA President & CEO. “Her combination of technical understanding, editorial excellence, and industry insight makes her the ideal leader to guide INDA Media’s publications into their next chapter. As INDA expands its global collaboration as a founding member of GNA, and the industry continues to innovate and evolve, Rachael’s vision and experience will help us build on the strong publishing foundation already in place.”

Davis shared her enthusiasm for the opportunity: “I am very excited to take this next step in my career, and I am honored to join INDA and lead two publications that play such an important role in connecting and informing the global nonwovens and filtration communities. I will miss my colleagues at Textile World, but I’m excited to leverage my experience and help grow these INDA titles, deepen their technical and market coverage, and serve readers who rely on trusted, authoritative content.”

“Rachael has a broad range of textile knowledge and editorial skill and has been a significant member of the TIMG / Textile World team. Not only has Rachael written great stories about the US textile industry, but also has assisted TIMG to adapt to the many changes in print and electronic business media over the past 25 years. Everyone at TIMG and Textile World wishes her success and fulfilment in her new role — and I know INDA will offer numerous opportunities for Rachael to fully utilize her many talents,” said Jim Borneman, Editor in Chief, Owner, Textile Industries Media Group, LLC.

INDA extends its sincere appreciation to Caryn Smith, Principal at Driven by Design, whose leadership as Publisher / Chief Content Officer has strengthened the design, structure, and content of INDA Media’s publications. INDA thanks her for her leadership and commitment to affecting a smooth transition.  The association wishes her, and her firm, continued success. 

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, a leader in spider silk technology*, launched a key hiring initiative at its production operations in Southeast Asia. This expansion of the company's production workforce is driven by rapidly increasing throughput, an expanded operational footprint, and preparations for the opening of its newest production center, now in active development.
 
The company is ramping up staffing to support what it expects to be a significant increase in production volumes over the coming quarters. These new team members will play a critical role in supporting the deployment of the Company's advanced spider silk technologies and modernized sericulture systems across its growing network of facilities.
 
All incoming production staff will receive specialized training under Dr. Nirmal Kumar, one of the world's foremost sericulture experts. Training under Dr. Kumar will prepare new hires to support operational growth at Kraig Labs' newest production center, currently in development, increasing capacity, resilience, and commercial production of its high-performance spider silk.
 
"This hiring initiative reflects the incredible momentum we are building and the strength of our forward-looking production strategy," said Kim Thompson, Founder and CEO of Kraig Labs. "As we scale up our next-generation spider silk technology and expand our production footprint, we are focused on assembling a team capable of supporting the high growth trajectory we anticipate. Bringing new staff into the fold and having them train directly with Dr. Kumar ensures that we are building the strongest possible foundation for the future of our operations."
 
The Company's expanded workforce will contribute to Kraig Labs' increasing production capacity and its readiness to meet both near-term production targets and longer-term commercial opportunities. As construction and development of the new production center takes shape, these newly trained team members will be positioned to support the facility's launch and help drive the Company's next major phase of growth.
 
Kraig Labs expects to continue adding staff and resources as it advances its mission of delivering the world's first cost-effective, eco-friendly, industrial-scale recombinant spider silk.