I am an Assistant PROFESSOR in Apparel, Merchandising, and Design in the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management at Iowa State University.
My RESEARCH interests are in the interrelationships of identity, appearance, and clothing. I investigate how individuals in stigmatized or underrepresented populations navigate different identities through clothing and appearance. Much of my work is rooted in social justice with aims to promote social change related to how our bodies are regulated in different spaces by cultural norms and politics. In some of my current work I am examining experiences of discrimination and stress related to appearance(s) for individuals in the LGBTQ community, and also overweight youth's experiences with athletic clothes.
In my DESIGN work (which is exhibition driven versus commercially based), I find aesthetic inspiration from my research topics related to the inequitable human condition for vulnerable or stigmatized populations. I use fashion as a form of activism to highlight inequalities related to individuals navigating different subject positions through appearance negotiations. I also explore and utilize new technologies such as 3D printing applications and digital printing.
I TEACH courses at both the graduate and undergraduate level. Current course topics include: dress and diversity; theory; qualitative research methods; and cultural dress. Past course topics have included: draping; apparel construction; senior collection development; hand and computer fashion illustration; global trade and souring; and the history of dress.
PERSONAL Interests: yoga, hiking, reading, exploring the bay area, museum going, swimming, and designing (of course!)