معرفی
Dr. Laura Beltrán-Rubio is a Lecturer in Design Cultures at De Montfort University, affiliated with the School of Fashion and Textiles within the Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities. Her academic and curatorial work centers on decolonizing fashion narratives, with a focus on Indigenous identities and textile arts in Latin America and the broader Americas. She actively contributes to public scholarship through her podcast Redressing Fashion and writings for The Fashion and Race Database.
- PhD in American Studies, William & Mary (2023)
- MA in Fashion Studies, Parsons School of Design (2016)
- BA in Economics, Universidad de los Andes (2014)
Her research lies at the intersection of art history, fashion theory, and decolonial praxis. She investigates how clothing, textiles, and portraiture have historically shaped identities under colonial rule and how these dynamics persist in contemporary fashion. Her work emphasizes Indigenous epistemologies, material culture, and global equity in design.
The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent engagement with colonial and postcolonial fashion in Latin America, particularly the Viceroyalty of New Granada. Themes include Indigenous resistance, gendered dress, curatorial ethics, and the re-appropriation of cultural identity in global fashion markets. Her scholarship spans art history, material culture, and critical theory, often drawing on interdisciplinary methodologies from digital humanities and postcolonial studies.
Her notable recognitions include being featured in The New York Times Best Art Books of 2022 and receiving the Association of Art Museum Curators 2023 Award of Excellence.
- Advised creative brands on ethical storytelling, cultural representation, and collaboration with Indigenous designers.
- Facilitated research on decolonial fashion curation and historical narratives in global fashion contexts.
Dr. Beltrán-Rubio is actively involved in academic and public-facing initiatives, including conference presentations, invited talks, and collaborative symposia on Latin American fashion, decolonial theory, and curatorial innovation. Her consultancy work supports ethical practices in the fashion industry, emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
