We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Sisi TANG about their original and creative Sustainable Sportswear design work. Sisi TANG is an award-winning fashion designer, that makes our world a better place with their original sustainable sportswear works.
Sisi TANG ("ST") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Leopitorca Sustainable Sportswear. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
ST : The main principle behind my design is to create meaningful, functional, and sustainable solutions that respond to real human needs. My work is driven by the belief that design is not just about aesthetics—it is a tool for care, innovation, and social impact. I focus on integrating smart technologies, adaptive systems, and environmentally responsible materials into garments that improve the quality of everyday life, especially for users who are often underserved, such as the elderly or individuals with limited mobility. The core idea is to blend empathy with innovation, designing products that are not only technically advanced but emotionally resonant and user-friendly. Whether it’s through wearable sensors, biodegradable fabrics, or ergonomic silhouettes, every detail is thoughtfully considered to serve both people and planet. My inspiration comes from real life. From the ways people move, adapt, and express themselves, to the quiet needs that go unnoticed—I design to give voice to those moments. I also draw from nature, architecture, and cultural narratives, allowing each design to tell a story rooted in both purpose and possibility.
ST : The main focus in designing this work was to seamlessly integrate functionality, comfort, and intelligent technology into a wearable form, creating a product that genuinely enhances the user’s quality of life. I aimed to go beyond traditional aesthetics and focus on solving real problems, particularly in the areas of health monitoring, movement support, and adaptive wearability. The design was intended to serve specific user groups—such as the elderly, individuals with limited mobility, or athletes—who benefit most from garments that respond to their physical and emotional needs. What I wanted to achieve was a balance between innovation and empathy. Through the use of textile-based sensors, ergonomic structures, and sustainable materials, my goal was to develop a garment that not only performs technically but also feels intuitive, dignified, and empowering for the wearer. Ultimately, I wanted this design to demonstrate that fashion can be a vehicle for care, inclusion, and advanced functionality, not just a statement of style.
ST : The future plan for this award-winning design is to further develop it into a fully market-ready product through strategic partnerships in technology, healthcare, and sustainable manufacturing. We are currently working on optimizing the integration of textile-based sensors, enhancing data accuracy, and improving user comfort through iterative prototyping and testing. At the same time, we are exploring eco-friendly material upgrades to ensure the product aligns with our long-term commitment to sustainability. Our goal is to bring this design to a broader audience, particularly those in need of functional, health-supportive garments, such as elderly users, individuals with mobility challenges, and professional athletes. We are also preparing to expand the design into a full product line that includes modular features for personalization and adaptability across different user scenarios. Ultimately, this design is just the beginning. We see it as the foundation for a next-generation smartwear platform that combines innovation, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility, pushing the boundaries of what wearable design can achieve.
ST : Designing this particular concept was a highly iterative and research-driven process that took several months from initial ideation to final prototype. Because the project involved the integration of textile-based sensors, ergonomic garment construction, and sustainable materials, each stage required careful testing, user feedback, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The early phase focused on user research and problem definition, followed by concept development, sketching, and technical planning. From there, we moved into material sourcing, digital modeling, and functional prototyping—refining the design through multiple trial iterations to ensure both performance and comfort. The timeline reflects our commitment to quality, functionality, and user-centered innovation, as we wanted to ensure that every design decision was purposeful, responsible, and ready for real-world application.
ST : This design was born from my initiative and passion for solving real-world problems through functional design. It was not a commissioned project, but rather the result of an ongoing exploration into how technology and fashion can serve underrepresented user groups, particularly the elderly and those with specific health needs. My inspiration came from observing aging populations' challenges, especially in maintaining safety, independence, and dignity. I wanted to create something that could seamlessly integrate health monitoring into everyday wear, without compromising comfort or aesthetics. This concept reflects my design philosophy: design should not only be beautiful, but meaningful, inclusive, and adaptive to people’s lives.
ST : At this stage, we are producing the design through our own company, under a vertically integrated model that combines in-house R&D, design, and small-scale production. This allows us to maintain full control over quality, innovation, and user experience, especially important when dealing with wearable health technologies. However, we are also open to strategic partnerships and licensing opportunities with companies that align with our vision of sustainable, user-centered innovation. Our long-term plan is to scale production while ensuring the integrity of our core design values.
ST : This design was born out of a deep desire to address the unmet needs of specific user groups, particularly the elderly and those with limited mobility. As a designer focused on functionality and adaptive innovation, I was inspired to create a solution that could enhance quality of life, promote independent living, and integrate health monitoring seamlessly into daily wear. The concept reflects my belief that design should be both empathetic and intelligent, solving real-world problems while remaining visually appealing and comfortable.
ST : This design was not influenced by any external designers or existing works. Instead, it was the result of close collaboration with our in-house R&D and technical teams. Our innovation stemmed from original research, continuous user testing, and interdisciplinary teamwork. We believe that meaningful design arises from a deep understanding of user needs and technical feasibility, rather than following existing design trends.
ST : The target customers for this design are individuals with specific functional needs, particularly elderly users, people with limited mobility, and those requiring health monitoring support. We also extend our design solutions to athletes and wellness-focused users who seek performance-enhancing, adaptive garments. Our core mission is to create inclusive, intelligent apparel that improves daily life through comfort, safety, and health data integration.
ST : What sets this design apart is the integration of textile-based sensors with adaptive garment construction, offering real-time health monitoring and enhanced user comfort. Unlike conventional functional garments, our design seamlessly merges ergonomic tailoring, sustainable materials, and smart technology to address both physical needs and emotional well-being.
ST : The name “LEOPITORCA” is a creative fusion of several powerful animal names—leopard, orca, and eagle. We chose this name to symbolize the core attributes we want our design to embody: agility, strength, resilience, and harmony with nature. These animals represent dynamic movement, sharp precision, and adaptability—qualities essential for high-performance sportswear, especially in challenging environments like snow sports. The name reflects our vision of drawing inspiration from nature to create intelligent, functional, and aesthetically bold designs.
ST : For this project, we utilized a combination of digital and physical tools to ensure precision and innovation in every design phase. We used CLO 3D and Adobe Illustrator for digital garment visualization, pattern development, and technical detailing. These tools allowed us to simulate fabric behavior and test ergonomic fit before physical prototyping. In terms of material and product testing, we also relied on sensor integration software to assess textile-based biometric sensor placement and functionality. Additionally, manual pattern drafting and prototyping played a vital role in refining the garment’s adaptive structure and ensuring comfort across diverse body types. This hybrid workflow allowed us to merge high-tech performance with user-centered design seamlessly.
ST : The most unique aspect of my design lies in the seamless integration of adaptive garment engineering with textile-based biometric sensing. Unlike conventional activewear, this design intelligently responds to the physical and health conditions of the wearer by embedding non-intrusive sensors into the fabric structure without compromising comfort or aesthetics. What makes it stand out is its dual functionality: it not only monitors vital health metrics and detects fall risks but also offers an ergonomically optimized fit tailored for mobility-challenged users. The combination of sustainable materials, inclusive design principles, and intelligent technology creates a solution that is both compassionate and cutting-edge.
ST : This design was the result of close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of specialists. I worked alongside textile engineers, sensor technology researchers, and garment technologists who brought advanced technical expertise to the project. Our R&D partners played a key role in developing the textile-based sensor system, ensuring both accuracy and durability. This collective effort allowed us to design a product that is not only functional and innovative but also deeply human-centered.
ST : Technology plays a foundational and transformative role in this design. At the core of the project is a textile-based sensor system seamlessly integrated into the garment, enabling real-time health monitoring for users. Advanced data processing algorithms, Bluetooth connectivity, and a supportive mobile app ecosystem work together to deliver timely feedback. This design would not have been possible without cross-disciplinary innovation—merging smart textiles, wearable electronics, and ergonomic garment construction. Technology in this context is not just a tool; it is the very medium through which we elevate comfort, safety, and independence in daily life.
ST : Yes, this design is strongly influenced by both data and analytical research. The development of this ski and activewear collection was grounded in sensor-based performance analysis and user-centered research. Our team conducted quantitative studies to monitor physiological data, such as motion patterns, temperature, and fall risk, using wearable sensors integrated directly into the garments. This allowed us to understand the physical demands of high-performance activities in cold environments and optimize the garment structure accordingly. Additionally, we relied on ergonomic research and user feedback to enhance fit, mobility, and comfort. The sensor technology used in this design is protected by our proprietary invention patent, which ensures the accuracy, reliability, and long-term durability of the data we collect. This scientific approach is what sets our design apart—every choice is backed by evidence, not assumption.
ST : One of the major challenges we faced during the design and realization of this concept was the integration of advanced sensor technology into a wearable form without compromising comfort, aesthetics, or functionality. Balancing the technical components—such as textile-based sensors and power supply modules—with the flexibility, breathability, and softness required in performance garments demanded extensive material testing and iterative prototyping. Another significant challenge was ensuring the durability of the smart textiles through repeated washing and usage while maintaining signal accuracy and performance reliability. Additionally, developing a seamless communication system between the garment, the mobile app, and the backend monitoring platform required close interdisciplinary collaboration between designers, engineers, and data scientists. Despite these obstacles, overcoming them led to a product that is not only technologically advanced but also user-centric and ready for real-world application.
ST : I decided to submit my design to an international design competition because I believe innovative, user-centered design deserves a global stage. This project—integrating textile-based sensor technology with adaptive sportswear—represents not only a technological advancement but also a meaningful step toward inclusive and sustainable fashion. By entering an international competition, I hoped to gain broader visibility, connect with a global network of designers and experts, and validate our work through a respected platform. It was also an opportunity to challenge myself and the team to hold our design to the highest international standards. Ultimately, I wanted our work to inspire dialogue about the future of functional fashion and to demonstrate that design can serve both performance and social responsibility.
ST : Throughout the design process of this project, I deepened my understanding of how to balance aesthetics, functionality, and user-specific needs through an interdisciplinary lens. Working with textile-based sensor integration taught me to approach design more holistically, considering not only form and material but also data responsiveness, wearability, and comfort. I gained valuable experience in iterative prototyping, collaborating with engineers, and responding to real-time user feedback from athletes. This project reinforced the importance of empathy in design—real innovation happens when we truly understand the daily challenges of those we design for. It also pushed me to continuously refine my skills in adaptive pattern-making and sustainable material selection, aligning innovation with social impact.
ST : Thank you for the thoughtful questions. I would simply like to add that anyone who is interested in our project or wishes to explore potential collaborations is always welcome to reach out. We are constantly seeking like-minded partners, institutions, and investors who share our vision of creating functional, sustainable, and human-centered designs. Whether in health tech, performance wear, or inclusive design, we believe that innovation thrives through collaboration. Please don’t hesitate to connect with us—we’re open to dialogue and new opportunities that can drive meaningful impact.
