Maureen E. Lehto Brewster
College of Family and Consumer Sciences
PhD Student & Graduate Teaching Assistant
200A Barrow Hall
115 DW Brooks Dr.
Athens, GA 30602
Education
| Degree | Field of Study | Institution | Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.A. | Art | University of California at Santa Cruz | 2010 |
| M.A. | Fashion Studies | Parsons School of Design | 2014 |
| PhD | International Merchandising | University of Georgia | 2023 |
Research
My research explores the relationship between fashion and celebrity culture.
Master's thesis: "Bump Watch: Fashioning Pregnancy as Performance and Product" (2014)
Teaching
I previously worked as a part-time lecturer at Parsons School of Design and Marymount Manhattan College in New York, NY. My teaching experience includes the following courses:
- Fashion History (Survey, Fusion: Art & Fashion, and Couture)
- Fashion and the Body
- Fashion and Celebrity
- Fashion, Media and Culture
- Advanced Research Seminar: Fashion
Prior Professional Positions
| Organization | Title | Years of Service |
|---|---|---|
| Parsons School of Design | Part-Time Faculty | 2014-2019 |
| Marymount Manhattan College | Part-Time Faculty | 2015-2019 |
Service
| Organization | Title | Year(s) | Service Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Popular Culture Association | Member | Current | |
| Costume Society of America - Southeast Region | Member | Current | |
| ITAA | Member | Current |
Areas of Expertise
Fashion and celebrity culture.
Current Classes
Instructor, TXMI 4290 (History of Dress and Fashion), Spring 2021.
Current Research
My current research focuses on the marketing, mediation, and consumption of celebrity and influencer fashion brands, particularly on social media.
Other research interests:
- The body
- Gender and sexuality
- Fan culture and theory
- Plus size and maternity fashion
- Licensing
- Politics and political merchandise
Journal Articles
Lehto Brewster, M., & Sklar, M. (Accepted 2021). 'Brand, Community, Lifestyle': Fashioning an authentic, body positive influencer brand on Instagram. Journal of Fashion, Style & Popular Culture.
Publications
Lehto Brewster, M. (2020). Making Lemonade?: Beyonce's pregnancies and the postfeminist media gaze. In M. Laing & J. Willson (Eds.), Revisiting the gaze: The fashioned body and the politics of looking. Bloomsbury.
Lehto Brewster, M. (2020). Emma Watson's 'The Press Tour': Fashion activism as personal brand. In S. Nandy, K. Obbard, & N. Bojko (Eds.), Ethical glamour and fashion: Styling persona brands. WaterHill.
Working Papers
Lehto Brewster, M., Lyu, J, & Han, J. (2021). Niche or Reach?: Examining the parasocial relationships of nano-, micro-, and macro-influencers and their impact on consumers' behavioral intention. [International Journal of Advertising]