Mad About Plaid
Students create the first official Tiger Tartan
Mizzou spirit is often enthusiastic or even rowdy, but now it’s also chic and sophisticated. Enter the Tiger Tartan (think Burberry). This fall, fleece stadium blankets, neckties, tailgating tablecloths and tote bags will showcase MU’s new official plaid, designed by MU senior Lauren Drufke-Mahe.
The striking plaid is a weave of not just black and gold, but also accent lines of white and subtle hints of red and blue. University landmarks and history inspired Drufke-Mahe’s design, for which she won a $500 scholarship. “Black and gold were the basis of my pattern because those colors are Mizzou,” she says. “I subtly used crimson red and blue to incorporate our historic colors, which made the plaid more interesting. Most important, I used gold lines to incorporate the Columns into my tartan because they represent strength and endurance of the past, present and future.”
The Tiger Tartan is the culmination of a semester-long project and contest of the textile and apparel management department. Nearly 100 students — enrolled in computer-aided design, branding, product development, and consumer research and analysis courses — participated in the creation, development and licensing of the plaid. Jana Hawley, assistant professor of textile and apparel management, describes the project as a great learning process that involved all aspects of the industry.
Twelve design students created the plaids at the beginning of the winter semester. A focus group evaluated the plaids’ design, marketability and long-term appeal. They chose the top four designs, and nearly 6,500 faculty, staff, alumni and students chose their favorite in an online poll.
“I’m honored that I can contribute to MU’s history,” Drufke-Mahe says. “I just can’t stop smiling about it!”
Reprinted with permission of MIZZOU magazine.