Lara Torres

Dr. Lara Torres is a Senior Lecturer at the London College of Fashion (University of the Arts London) and the University of Portsmouth, specializing in experimental fashion practices, critical theory, and material-led methodologies. She holds a PhD in Fashion from University of the Arts London (2019), an MA in Fashion Artefact (2011), and a BA in Fashion Design (2004). Her research bridges fashion, fine arts, and film, advocating for post-disciplinary approaches to challenge traditional boundaries. She has led international exhibitions, including 'The Future of Fashion is Now' and 'Transfashional,' and contributed to publications like Journal of Asia-Pacific Pop Culture and Intellect Books.

Her teaching philosophy emphasizes reflective practice and critical inquiry, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue through studio-based workshops and theoretical lectures. She has developed curricula at multiple institutions and served as an external examiner. Key research themes include sustainability through locally-embedded design, fashion ontology, and the role of fashion in socio-political discourse.

Notable outputs include 'Rooted in Place' (2024), exploring ecological knowledge in education, and 'Fashion Ontology' (2022), theorizing expanded fashion practices. She has collaborated internationally, including with the Management Development Institute of Singapore and Caritas Hong Kong. Her work integrates art, film, and material experimentation to interrogate contemporary fashion's cultural and environmental impact.