Maureen 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | International Merchandising | University of Georgia | 2023 |
| M.A. | Fashion Studies | Parsons School of Design | 2014 |
| B.A. | Art | University of California at Santa Cruz | 2010 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Pride (UGA) | President | Current | |
| Popular Culture Association | Member | Current | |
| Costume Society of America - Southeast Region | Member | Current | |
| ITAA | Member | Current |
Advisory Committee
Maureen Flint, PhD
Laura McAndrews, PhD
Yoo-Kyoung Seock, PhD
Elle Shaaban-Magaña, PhD
Areas of Expertise
Celebrity and influencer culture; social media; fan culture and theory; pregnancy and parenthood.
Current Research
My dissertation focuses on fashion and mediation practices among potential sorority members on TikTok.
Journal Articles
Sklar, M., Lehto Brewster, M., & Whitley, B. (2022). Adjusting standard retail practices for nonstandard consumers: How punk
and subcultural fashion boutiques find success and build community. Journal of Fashion, Style & Popular Culture [Advance online publication].
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. [Journal of Internet Commerce]
Lehto Brewster, M. (under review). The Hidden Life of Kylie: Fashioning a Private (and Privatized) Celebrity Pregnancy. In L. Snelgrove (Ed.), Fashion and Motherhood. Bloomsbury.