Carhartt opens workwear lab with Detroit design college

Detroit design students have a new place to turn workwear sketches into real garments.

Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design in Detroit, the nation's only design-focused HBCU, a historically Black college or university, opened its Carhartt Apparel Lab with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Sept. 21. The college organised the event in partnership with Carhartt, the workwear brand, according to Women's Wear Daily and ClickOnDetroit.

The lab is a dedicated space for apparel and accessories. Students can develop concepts there, build prototypes and learn product creation from initial idea to finished design.

It comes with professional equipment for apparel design. That means students can test construction, fit and finish to industry standard rather than classroom mock-up.

Carhartt's Ben Ewy cut the ribbon. Ewy is vice president of global product design, research and development at the company. PLC Detroit president Dr. D'Wayne Edwards and student Rohna Battle-Woodger also spoke during the ceremony.

The partnership did not start this week. Carhartt first supported the college's industry masterclass programme in 2022. Since then, Carhartt design leaders have provided expertise and mentorship across multiple college programmes.

This is the second branded workshop to open on campus in a year. In September 2025, the college opened Apparel Creation Stu/Deo by Adidas, the apparel company, in partnership with costume designer Ruth E. Carter.

What makes this stand out is the access. Students will work directly with Carhartt associates and design professionals. The goal is practical: stronger portfolios and a clearer path to internships and jobs.