Colorways 2026: Featured speakers
Colorways, Aug. 6-7, will include panel discussions & breakout sessions with notable women of color in the print industry.
Colorways, a summit for women of color in the decorated apparel industry, returns to Seattle on Aug. 6-7 for two days of connection, learning, and behind-the-scenes access to apparel manufacturing.
This year’s program offers an inside look at how products are made, featuring perspectives from Outdoor Research, a global outdoor brand, and Prairie Underground, a smaller, values-driven company. Attendees will also experience an exclusive shop tour of Cutter & Buck’s 170,000-square-foot facility.
The event kicks off with panel discussions, breakout sessions, and a hands-on workshop designed to spark conversation and collaboration across the industry.
Panel: ‘The Breaking Point’
These panelists faced the ultimate tests of resilience. Two made the heavy choice to close their shop doors to reclaim their lives, and one navigated the grueling physical reality of a sidelined career.
May Yang: Former owner of Flash Flood Print Studios. Sharing the raw truth behind the decision to step away from the press after years of burnout.
Geovanna: Former owner of Up All Night Ink. She chose to close her doors to open a new chapter of mental clarity and redefined success.
Rita Forte: Owner of The Olive Street Agency. Offering a vital perspective on navigating a high-demand physical job while recovering from a broken foot – and the boundaries that saved her.
The panel will offer an unfiltered look at mental health, physical recovery, and the reality of life in decorated apparel.
One-on-one chat: ‘Building Power in an Industry That Wasn’t Built for Us’
After the morning panel wraps up, join right after the lunch break for a powerful, one-on-one afternoon session with Johana Marin of Casa Lulo.
Originally from Colombia, Johana’s entrepreneurial path started with a swimwear brand alongside her sisters before she branched out on her own. She built Casa Lulo from the ground up, moving from printing on a borrowed press in her garage to opening a collaborative community storefront in Orange County. For Johana, apparel isn’t just about fashion — it’s a canvas for self-expression, community fundraising, and spreading a message of kindness and inclusion.
This moderated chat will dive into the real journey: how her upbringing and lived experiences with discrimination shaped her path, and how she translates those challenges into heart-centered leadership and business resilience.
For more information, schedule of events, and registration, visit: mscprinthouse.com/colorways
