Maureen E. Lehto Brewster
College of Family and Consumer Sciences
PhD Candidate & 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, social media, and celebrity culture.
Master's thesis: "Bump Watch: Fashioning Pregnancy as Performance and Product" (2014)
Other research interests:
- The body
- Gender and sexuality
- Fan culture and theory
- Plus size fashion
- Pregnancy, parenthood, and maternity fashion
- Licensing
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
UGA Courses:
- History of Dress and Fashion, 19th C. to Present (Spring 2021)
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 |
Awards
| Award Name | Awarded By | Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Future Faculty Fellow | The Center for Teaching & Learning | 2022 |
| Outstanding Teaching Assistant | The Center for Teaching & Learning/TMI | 2022 |
Service
| Organization | Title | Year(s) | Service Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Popular Culture Association | Member | Current | |
| Costume Society of America - Southeast Region | Member | Current | |
| ITAA | Member | Current |
Advisory Committee
Monica Sklar, PhD
Maureen Flint, PhD
Yoo-Kyoung Seock, PhD
Laura McAndrews, PhD
Areas of Expertise
Celebrity and influencer culture; social media; fan culture and theory; pregnancy and parenthood.
Current Classes
Spring 2022:
TA for TXMI 4290 (History of Dress and Fashion) and TXMI 3210 (Fundamentals of Fashion Merchandising)
Current Research
My dissertation focuses on fashion and mediation practices among potential sorority members on TikTok.
Journal Articles
Lehto Brewster, M., & Sklar, M. (in press). '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., & Sklar, M. YouTube fan apparel: Creating, branding, and merchandising an immersive story world for liminal play. [Journal of Film, Fashion and Consumption]
Lehto Brewster, M. On following and becoming a follower: A phenomenological analysis. [Reconceptualizing Educational Research Methodology]
Lehto Brewster, M. (2021). Producing posthuman celebrity: Fashion, architecture, and the body in Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Paper presentation. [Kimposium: The Sequel, Brunel University, London]
Lehto Brewster, M., Lyu, J, & Han, J. Niche or Reach?: Examining the parasocial relationships of nano-, micro-, and macro-influencers and their impact on consumers' behavioral intention. [International Journal of Advertising]
Lehto Brewster, M. (2023). The Hidden Life of Kylie: Fashioning a Private (and Privatized) Celebrity Pregnancy. In L. Snelgrove (Ed.), Fashion and Motherhood. Bloomsbury.