Elizabeth Kramer

Dr Elizabeth Kramer is a Senior Lecturer in Design History at Northumbria University, specializing in transnational fashion, textiles, and material culture with a focus on Anglo-Japanese artistic exchanges. She holds a PhD in History of Art from The University of Manchester (2004), an MA in History of Art (1999), and a BA in Art (1996).

Her research explores cultural flows through garments, particularly the kimono and its global adaptations, and advocates for decolonial approaches in fashion studies. Key projects include co-authoring Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk (2020) for the V&A Museum’s landmark exhibition. She has secured funding from the AHRC, Leverhulme Trust, and other prestigious organizations.

• Research Highlights: Kimono jacket trends, sukajan embroidered garments, and material culture of manias.
• Professional Roles: Co-Investigator on AHRC-funded 'Fashion and Translation' network, editorial board member of Visual Culture in Britain, and member of the Society for the Study of Japonisme.

Dr Kramer supervises PhD candidates exploring topics like wool communities and transcultural aesthetics in material culture. Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary global fashion dynamics, emphasizing cross-cultural dialogue and ethical practices in design.