About

Anne Porterfield is an Associate Professor in the Fashion Design Textiles Complex at the Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University. Her research focuses on the use of 3D apparel visualization software in apparel design and customization, surface design for custom apparel, couture design, and finishing techniques. She has expertise in 3D Apparel CAD, fashion design, and product development, and her work includes exploring virtual fitting, digital prototyping, and innovative visualization technologies to enhance apparel design processes. Porterfield holds a Ph.D. in Textile Technology Management from NC State College of Textiles, along with a Master of Textiles from the same institution, an M.F.A. in Costume Design from the University of Texas at Austin, and a B.A. in Anthropology from George Washington University. Her scholarly contributions include numerous publications on virtual fitting, 3D garment simulation, and apparel visualization, and she actively investigates how these technologies impact consumer experiences, design pedagogy, and industry practices.

Research topics

• Computer science
• Psychology
• Human–computer interaction
• Marketing
• Business

Selected publications

• Three-dimensional virtual prototyping for designing firefighting gear: an exploration of manufacturer perceptions

  Fashion and Textiles · 2026-05-12

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Guided by the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, this study explores how firefighting gear manufacturers perceive 3D apparel visualization software and how these perceptions shape their intentions to adopt the technology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 experts from six companies producing wildland and structural turnout gear, including pattern makers, designers, technical designers, and a business manager. Content analysis revealed that manufacturers viewed 3D apparel visualization software as a useful tool for pattern optimization, visualizing air gaps, and improving communication with municipal customers. However, participants also highlighted significant technical limitations, particularly in simulating composite materials, multilayer garment structures, and substantial ease and air gap behavior in structural turnout gear. They also noted constraints related to organizational slack, including financial and human resource demands and disruptions to established workflows. Adoption decisions were further shaped by key industry characteristics, such as stringent National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, unchanging garment style requirements, conservative industry norms, and varying levels of business partner readiness. The findings extend TOE research to a specialized functional clothing context by highlighting sector-specific constraints and the importance of distinguishing between current capabilities and perceived future value. Practical implications are offered for software developers, regulators, and manufacturers seeking to align digital design investments with the technological and regulatory realities of firefighting gear innovation.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Exploring Visual Perception of Clothing Movement in 3D Activewear Motion Simulation: A Focus Group Study

  2025-01-13 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Using CLO3D to Facilitate Design Collaboration

  2025-01-18 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  The collaborative process of costume design requires many forms of visual communication, including costume research, drawings, and fabric samples. This study examined the potential for using 3D apparel simulation software as a tool in the costume design process in a real-time production setting for a dance performance. The research was led by a costume designer and a choreographer. The primary investigators provided reflective data in the form of notes and drawings, while dancers were engaged in the research process through a focus-group style design presentation in which they were invited to give feedback on the garment designs as well as on the experience of viewing them in the form of 3D simulations. The researchers found 3D simulations to be helpful as a design communication tool. The dancers reported that the simulations provided a clear view of silhouette and surface design intention. Overall, the incorporation of 3D visualization software proved helpful.

  PublisherDOI

• Creative Exploration of Zero-Waste Garments in CLO 3D

  2025-01-18

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  In a studio classroom with few resources for making physical garments, 3D apparel design software can provide a meaningful experience in garment creation. This assignment disrupts the expectation that students must first acquire knowledge of patternmaking before being asked to create complex garments in software such as CLO3D. Instead, students are empowered to "play" with the software tools, connecting them with their creativity and curiosity. Students are tasked with creating three zero-waste garments in CLO3D, each using five yards of virtual fabric. They learn the essential functions of cutting, sewing, and applying elastic effects. With these tools, they design garments using their virtual fabric. In parallel, they use hand-painting techniques to develop original print textures to apply to their virtual creations. Students are empowered to use industry software in an assignment that emphasizes novelty and creative exploration over technical skill, giving them a feeling of accomplishment and mitigating technology anxiety.

  PublisherDOI

• Visual Perception of Virtual Fabric Properties in 3D Activewear Dynamic Visualization

  Clothing and Textiles Research Journal · 2025-10-03

  article

  While 3D apparel CAD shows promise for advancing dynamic clothing displays, limited empirical evidence exists on whether digital twins accurately reflect consumer perceptions, particularly visual-tactile sensations. This study examines the relationship between virtual fabric parameters and consumer perceptions, focusing on descriptors including flexibility, supportiveness, and comfort. A Maxdiff Conjoint survey with 96 participants was used to evaluate eight CLO virtual fabric variants, manipulated in three fabric parameters: stretch and shear, bending, and density. Findings suggest that perceived flexibility significantly influences comfort assessment, with smooth, flexible fabrics rated as more comfortable but less supportive. Further analysis reveals that optimal comfort is associated with a combination of low bending, stretch, and shear properties coupled with high density. This research provides valuable insights for 3D apparel designers, emphasizing the importance of accurate fabric mechanical property simulation to enhance virtual clothing realism.

  PublisherDOI

• The role of regulatory focus in consumers' adoption of virtual fitting rooms (VFRs)

  Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management · 2024-01-30 · 1 citations

  articleSenior author

  Purpose Despite the potential of virtual fitting rooms (VFRs) to enhance the consumer experience, their adoption is in the preliminary stages. Little is known about inherent reasons why consumers would adopt VFRs. As consumers' attributional processes can be influenced by their enduring chronic traits, this study aims to investigate the influence of chronic regulatory focus on consumers' VFR adoptions via consumers' perceptions of value provided by VFRs. Additionally, the mediating effects of perceived functional and experiential values were examined. Further, the moderating effect of prior VFR experience was tested to allow for variations in consumer experiences. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected via an online survey of 480 consumers who have at least heard of VFRs via convenience sampling. Established measures were utilized to develop the survey questionnaire. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling to test the main model with mediation effects as well as multi-group comparisons to test the moderating effect. Findings Empirical results revealed that respective chronic regulatory foci, as preconceived factors that drive consumers' differences in processing, exerted significant influences on consumers' perceptions of VFRs, which, in turn, positively influenced their adoption intention. Also, perceived values mediated the relationship between regulatory foci and consumers' adoption intention. Further, prior VFR experience moderated the relationship between regulatory focus and perceived value. Originality/value The paper empirically tested the importance of chronic regulatory foci in understanding consumers' cognitive and affective attributional processes, explaining inherent psychological reasons why consumers would (not) adopt VFRs.

  PublisherDOI

• Evaluation of the Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum: Positive Impact on High School English Achievement

  2024-01-01

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• A Comparative Study of 3D Simulation and Scanning Technologies for Virtual Fabric Testing Laboratory: Tensile Tester

  2023-10-04 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  A Comparative Study of 3D Simulation and Scanning Technologies for Virtual Fabric Testing Laboratory: Tensile Tester - 3DBODY.TECH 2023 - 14th International Conference and Exhibition on 3D Body Scanning and Processing Technologies, 17-18 October 2023, Lugano, Switzerland - 3DBODY.TECH - The Premier Multidisciplinary International Conference and Expo on 3D/4D Human Body Scanning, Data and Processing Technologies

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Assessing the impact of multisensory attributes of Textile-based Assistive Devices (TADs) on the experiences of end-users

  Journal of Textile Engineering & Fashion Technology · 2023-09-07

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Researchers have defined and measured functional attributes of assistive devices, yet there are multiple dimensions of a device worn temporarily or for life that remain unexamined. The purpose of this study was to explore how the sensory attributes of assistive devices impact consumers in order to build a foundation for a holistic approach to product development. Two online surveys targeting wearers of textile-based assistive devices (TADs) (n=29) and caregivers (n=8) were used for data collection. Survey questions related to sensory experiences (visual, tactile, auditory, olfactory) and describe how device usage and purchasing was impacted. Results suggest that multisensory experiences of users and caregivers involve more complexity than functionality alone. Multisensory effects were diverse in both groups. Some expressed a desire for their device to be more visible and expressive, while others chose not to use, expressing fear of judgment based on visibility. Insight into multisensory aesthetics and how design can be used to conceal, reveal, or provide opportunities for self-expression, as well as avoid embarrassment for the wearer, will help designers understand how assistive devices can be improved and developed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. Findings suggest that existing measures of success should include questions about sensory attributes.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Consumer Adoption of Virtual Fitting Rooms (VFRs): A perspective of Past Experience, Fashion Involvement, and Shopping Involvement

  Innovate to Elevate · 2022-12-20 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:normal">While consumers are increasingly getting chances to and starting to try out VFRs, it is not yet widely adopted by consumers. To uncover the reasons behind the slow adoption of VFRs, it is important to fully investigate the influential factors that explain consumers’ varying VFR perceptions and adoption intention. As VFRs are used for fashion shopping and currently in the process of consumer adoption, it is critical to take into account the users’ product category (fashion)involvement, intrinsic (shopping) involvement, and past experience with VFRs, which were found to play a profound role in consumers’ online fashion shopping and technology acceptance behaviors. Thus, this study aims to investigate the influences of consumers’ past experience, fashion involvement, and shopping involvement on their perceptions and subsequent adoption intention toward VFRs.&nbsp;<o:p style="margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:normal"></o:p>

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Yingjiao Xu

  13 shared

• Hanna Lee

  8 shared

• Traci A. M. Lamar

  North Carolina State University

  6 shared

• Janie Woodbridge

  North Central State College

  4 shared

• Cynthia L. Istook

  Wilson College

  3 shared

• Kavita Mathur

  Wilson College

  2 shared

• Hanna Lee

  2 shared

• Uikyung Jung

  University of Central Oklahoma

  2 shared