معرفی
Dr. Christine Boydell is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the School of Humanities at De Montfort University, within the Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities. She is a distinguished design historian specializing in the history of dress and textiles, with a focus on 20th-century fashion, post-war design, and gender in design.
Educational Background:
- PhD (CNAA), University of Huddersfield, 1992 — 'Marion Dorn: A Study of the Working Methods of the Female Professional Textile Designer in the 1920s and 1930s'
- Postgraduate Diploma, History of Art and Design, Birmingham Polytechnic, 1982
- BA (Hons) History of Design (2:1), Manchester Polytechnic, 1981
Her research centers on the history of fashion and textiles, particularly ready-to-wear clothing, Art Deco textiles, and post-war British design. She explores how gender, class, and identity are expressed through dress and material culture. Her work combines archival research, object analysis, and cultural studies to understand the social significance of textiles and fashion.
The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent focus on British fashion history, textile design, and the cultural meanings of clothing. Key themes include the Horrockses brand, swimwear and resort wear, domestic textiles, and the work of designers like Marion Dorn and Pat Albeck. The articles span journals and books, demonstrating her interdisciplinary approach across fashion, design, and social history.
Professional Recognition:
- Book Reviews Editor, Textile History (Pasold Research Fund), 2012–present
- Co-editor, Text (journal of the Textile Society), 1996–2000
- Executive Committee Member, Textile Society (1982–1987, 1992–2000)
- Executive Committee Member, Design History Society (1987–1990)
- Scholarship Committee Member, Attingham Society (1990–1994)
Dr. Boydell has supervised multiple PhD students, including Emma Ronald (first supervisor) and Deborah Jewison, Joanne Horton, and Claire Lerpiniere (second supervisor). She has contributed to funded research projects such as 'The Natural Body: Movement, Dress and Physical Culture' at DMU. Her consultancy work includes advising Brookmann Home on historical textile design. She has curated major exhibitions, notably on Horrockses Fashions, which toured nationally and received media coverage from BBC, V&A Magazine, and Woman’s Hour.
She is actively involved in academic and public engagement through conferences, exhibitions, and publications, with future projects including a book on Pat Albeck and a swimwear exhibition.
