Benjamin Wild

Dr Benjamin Wild is a Reader in Fashion Narratives and Division Head for Fashion Communication at the Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University. He holds a Fellowship from the Royal Historical Society and has previously worked at institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum and Conde Nast College of Fashion & Design. His research focuses on the intersection of cultural history and fashion, emphasizing storytelling’s role in driving social responsibility and systemic change within the industry.

Wild’s academic qualifications include extensive work in medieval and early modern dress history, with a particular interest in decentering Western-centric fashion narratives. He leads courses such as the Victoria and Albert Museum’s 'On The Bias: Fashion’s Obsession With The West' and serves on editorial boards for journals like Journal of Dress History.

His research interests span global dress histories, decolonial methodologies, and the ethical dimensions of fashion storytelling. Notable publications include Hang-Ups: Reflections on the Causes and Consequences of Fashion’s ‘Western’-Centrism (2024) and Carnival to Catwalk: Global Reflections on Fancy Dress Costume (2020). He actively engages with public discourse through media appearances, TED Talks, and documentaries.

• Media Contributions: TED Talks (2019, 2024), BBC News, The Wall Street Journal, and The Independent.
• Grants & Supervision: Principal supervisor for PhD students focusing on topics like luxury fashion and decolonial narratives. He oversees the Research Collective for Decoloniality & Fashion and chairs the Manchester Fashion Institute’s executive board.
• Labs/Teams: Involved in interdisciplinary projects linking fashion history with contemporary ethical practices, including the Face Off conference on masks and head coverings.