Magali An Berthon

Magali An Berthon is an Assistant Professor in Fashion Studies at the American University of Paris (AUP), specializing in the modern and contemporary history of Southeast Asian dress and textiles. Her research focuses on the intimate politics of dress and silk textile crafts in Cambodia, particularly during and after the Khmer Rouge regime (1975–1979). She holds a PhD in History of Design from the Royal College of Art, London, and was a Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral fellow at the University of Copenhagen’s Centre for Textile Research (2022–2024).

Education:

• PhD in History of Design, Royal College of Art, London (2016–2021)
• MA Fashion and Textile Studies, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York (2014–2015)
• MFA in Textile Design, ENSAD National School of Decorative Arts, Paris (2004–2006)
• BA in Graphic Design and Visual Communication, ENSAAMA School of Applied Arts, Paris (2002–2004)

Her research investigates textile practices during conflict and post-conflict periods, with a focus on Cambodia’s silk heritage, craft revival, and global-local dynamics. Recent work examines how textiles serve as material evidence of genocide and cultural resilience. Her projects include the TEX-KR initiative exploring Khmer Rouge-era textile material culture and a co-edited volume Au fil de l’or on Asian dress traditions.

Her articles analyze themes like textile heritage preservation, refugee craft practices, and the role of clothing in genocide memory. She also collaborates on exhibitions and documentaries, bridging academic research with public engagement.

Grants and Fellowships:

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022–2024)
• Fulbright Fellowship for MA studies (2014–2015)

Teaching focuses on decolonial fashion studies, sustainable practices, and material culture. She leads courses such as Decolonizing Fashion, Design & Culture and Fashion Systems & Sustainability at AUP.