Fresh off the 2026 Black Footwear Forum, Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design (PLC Detroit), the nation’s only design-focused HBCU, celebrated the opening of a new apparel lab on Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony — this time in partnership with family-owned workwear brand Carhartt.

The Carhartt Apparel Lab furthers the school’s focus on workforce empowerment by providing students with a dedicated space to develop apparel and accessories concepts, create prototypes and understand the process of creating a product, from an initial idea to a finished design.

Additionally, students will get hands-on experience with Carhartt associates and design professionals as they bolster their portfolios and prepare for internships, employment and other opportunities in the apparel industry.

The lab is the latest chapter in a relationship that started in 2022, when Carhartt supported PLC Detroit’s first industry masterclass. Since then, Carhartt design leaders have offered their industry expertise and provided mentorship through multiple PLC Detroit programs.

“Carhartt has been part of PLC Detroit’s journey from the beginning, and I’m incredibly grateful for the relationship we have built,” said Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, president of PLC Detroit. “The Carhartt team believed in our vision, supported our first industry masterclass, and gave our students an opportunity to learn directly from its design leaders. We have already seen how that access can create pathways to internships and employment. The Carhartt Apparel Lab builds on the work we started together and deepens our shared commitment to preparing Detroit’s next generation of hardworking creatives for meaningful careers.”

PLC Detroit student Rohna Battle-Woodger spoke during the ceremony about the significance of the new lab and what the partnership means for students.

“This room at PLC Detroit is the intersection of education and the industry, with a shared purpose,” Battle-Woodger said. “It provides the next generation of designers with access to world-class resources. The opening of this room symbolizes our partnership, commitment and a new chapter for every student who enters these doors.”

“We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with PLC Detroit to provide a space where the next generation of creatives can develop the confidence, skills and connections needed to succeed,” said Ben Ewy, vice president of global product design, research and development at Carhartt. “The Carhartt Apparel Lab provides a dedicated environment where students can build real-world skills, learn from industry professionals and gain firsthand experience in the creative process behind apparel design — ultimately helping students bridge the gap from education to meaningful careers.”

In September 2025, PLC Detroit held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Apparel Creation Stu/Deo by Adidas, in partnership with costume designer Ruth E. Carter. Among its other offerings, the school also features the April Walker Apparel Stu/Deo.