Portrait of Maya Kaplan
About · Textile Innovation Studio

Textiles, technology and the moving body.

I run Textile Innovation Studio, a studio for computational textile R&D, design and consulting. I combine expertise in engineered seamless knitting, computational design and digital fabrication to create high-performance functional products.

Previously, in industry R&D, I led advanced innovation for global brands, researched new design workflows, integrated 3D printing into apparel design, developed patented engineered knitwear solutions, and translated innovation into scalable commercial products.

Research & Education

Researcher at the Coded Matter Design Lab, Technion

M.Sc. Industrial Design (current), Technion Institute of Technology

B.F.A. with distinction, Fashion and Footwear Design, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design

Current focus
  • Data-driven, computational 3D-printed textiles
  • Integrating 3D printing into existing fabrics to improve product performance
  • Computational design tools for fashion and textile design
  • Simulation-based workflows for fashion
  • R&D and product innovation for the textile and apparel industry
Path

Between research and industry

  1. NowFounder, Textile Innovation Studio
    Computational textile R&D, design and consulting
  2. NowResearcher, Coded Matter Design Lab, Technion
    M.Sc. Industrial Design
  3. PreviouslySenior R&D Designer, Delta Galil Industries
    A global manufacturer of intimates and activewear for international brands including Nike, SKIMS, Victoria's Secret, Lululemon, Calvin Klein and more.
    R&D and Digital Innovation. Co-inventor on four patent applications
  4. PreviouslyDigital Fabrication Lab Manager and Assistant Lecturer, Bezalel Academy
    Teaching and developing methods for 3D body scanning and 3D printing for fashion
Movement

Design that starts from the moving body.

Movement came before design. I grew up in gymnastics, acrobatics and dance, and later coached acrobatics groups for several years. Long before I worked with textiles, this gave me a deep understanding of what the body needs in movement, and of how design can support it.

In 2014 I discovered yoga, which became an essential part of my life as a practitioner and, later, a certified teacher. I also work as a performance artist, where the body itself is the material.

Where much of the industry begins with the material or the machine, I begin with the moving body: where it sweats, where it needs support, where it needs to stretch.

Maya Kaplan in a handstand Maya Kaplan on aerial ropes wearing 3D printed shoes
Awards
Global Footwear Awards, Winner, Sports Performance2023
The Andy Prize, Outstanding Excellence in Crafts2023
Excellence Merit Scholarship, America Israel Cultural Foundation2022
Meisler Prize, Outstanding Work in Design2022
Sustainable Design Award, Bezalel Academy2022
GDCS Competition (Gucci Collaboration), Finalist2022
Lockman Prize, Excellence in Applied Arts2021
Academic Excellence Awards, Bezalel Academy2019, 2021, 2022
Patents
WO2025154075A1

Bra with a support structure having rigid regions and flexible regions that dynamically adapts to breast shape and position. Published patent application. Co-inventor, Delta Galil Industries, 2025.

3 more pending

Co-inventor, Delta Galil Industries, 2026. Details are confidential.

Seen at
designboom KALTBLUT Schön! L’Officiel Haaretz Handwerken CNT Factory De Limburger Global Footwear Awards Virtual Shoe Museum ARE Magazine KREEP 33 Magazine La República Mirror E Magazine Arts Thread (Texintel) designboom KALTBLUT Schön! L’Officiel Haaretz Handwerken CNT Factory De Limburger Global Footwear Awards Virtual Shoe Museum ARE Magazine KREEP 33 Magazine La República Mirror E Magazine Arts Thread (Texintel)