Portrait of designer Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman

Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman

Principal – InterwovenRebeccah Pailes-Friedman is the founder and principal of Interwoven Design Group, a forward-thinking studio specializing in soft goods, wearable technology, and apparel innovation. With over 20 years of experience in corporate design at Fila, Champion, and Nike, Rebeccah leads Interwoven in creating innovative products that merge fashion, material science, and engineering. Recent collaborations include Shark/Ninja, Nevro, and HeroWear, as well as groundbreaking work with NASA and Vanderbilt University on wearable exosuits.

Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman is the founder and principal of Interwoven Design Group, a forward-thinking studio specializing in soft goods, wearable technology, and apparel innovation. With over 20 years of experience in corporate design at Fila, Champion, and Nike, Rebeccah leads Interwoven in creating innovative products that merge fashion, material science, and engineering. Recent collaborations include Shark/Ninja, and HeroWear, as well as groundbreaking work with NASA and Vanderbilt University on wearable exosuits.

In addition to her role at Interwoven, Rebeccah is a Professor of Industrial Design at Pratt Institute, where she has taught for over 25 years. She leads studio courses in wearable technology and mobility, while also advising Master’s thesis students. Her passion for education enriches her practice, driving the next generation of design innovation.

Rebeccah was inducted into the Academy of Fellows of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), one of the highest honors in the field. She also serves as the Northeast representative for the IDSA Women in Design Committee, actively promoting diversity and inclusivity in the design community.

As the author of Smart Textiles for Designers: Inventing the Future of Fabrics and a frequent speaker on design and technology, Rebeccah continues to shape the future of design through both her professional practice and academic leadership. Under her guidance, Interwoven has received numerous accolades, including the 2024 Fast Company Innovation by Design Award and recognition from Core77.