Kate Greder, Ph.D.

Bio

Dr. Kate Greder is an Assistant Professor of Design Studies in the Media Arts, Design and Technology Department.  

Kate has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Cruz where she was a student in Oakes College. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Apparel, Merchandising, and Design from Iowa State University and a PhD in Fiber Science and Apparel Design from the Department of Human Centered Design at Cornell University. Kate has worked at museums and cultural institutions throughout the U.S., including The Smithsonian Institution, University Museums at Iowa State, and Cornell University.

Kate’s research focuses on the circular economy in design where she uses the luxury industry to explore the impact of technology on the political economy of the fashion system. In particular, Kate is interested in slow fashion and the concept of assetization as a mechanism for investigating the alignment of financial incentives for decarbonization in the fashion industry. Her research in critical luxury studies, economics and fashion studies elucidates the complex network of value constructions that influence the movement of clothing in global fashion markets. Prior to entering academia, Kate worked in the book publishing industry in New York.

Area(s) of Expertise

Design fundamentals, design history and theory, textiles, and fashion studies