Renate Stauss

Renate Stauss is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Fashion Studies at The American University of Paris (AUP), where she has been since 2013. She holds a PhD in Fashion Communication from the University of the Arts London and has taught at institutions including Central Saint Martins, Goldsmiths College, and the Royal College of Art. Her research focuses on the sociology and politics of fashion, including dress and identity, fashion sustainability, and fashion education. She co-founded The Digital Multilogue on Fashion Education and the Fashion is a Great Teacher podcast, fostering global dialogue on pedagogical innovation. Stauss has organized major conferences such as the 2024 Digital Multilogue on Grief and Mutual Learning and has received grants including the Einstein Foundation grant for the 'Fashioning Education' initiative.

Her academic journey includes a BA in Fashion Communication from Central Saint Martins and an MA in Communication, Culture, and Society from Goldsmiths. Her scholarship bridges critical theory with practical pedagogy, addressing topics like dress in political protest and sustainable design practices. Stauss has published widely in journals like Fashion Theory and Vestoj, exploring themes such as dress therapy and fashion’s role in socio-political contexts.

• Education:
  • PhD, London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London (UK)
  • MA Communication, Culture & Society, Goldsmiths, University of London (UK)
  • BA (Hons) Fashion Communication, Central Saint Martins (UK)

Her recent work emphasizes fashion’s ethical dimensions, including sustainability and decolonizing education. Grants include the John H. Lewis Jr. Faculty Development Fund (2024) and multiple conference organization grants from entities like the Berlin Senate. Stauss actively participates in academic panels and jury roles, such as the 2024 appointment committee for the Centre for Sustainable Fashion.