What is fashion criticism? As the field of fashion studies continues to grow, it’s essential to develop and understand the conceptual distinctions between fashion theory, fashion criticism, fashion journalism, and costume history. Lucy Collins will look at these interrelated yet distinct kinds of fashion writing, while arguing for the need for a deeper understanding of theory in each.

Lucy Collins has been witness to every part of the fashion industry. She has written on fashion for publications such as Fashion Theory, Fashion Projects, The Philosopher’s Magazine, and The New City Reader, as well as the forthcoming Greenwood Encyclopedia of National Dress. She was a frequent contributor to the blog Worn Through, worked for designers, and written for fashion forecasters. She is currently an instructor at Parsons The New School for Design and LIM College, where she teaches courses in fashion theory, aesthetics, and ethics. Last year, Collins received a PhD in philosophy from Temple University and her current research focuses on the subject of fashion and consumerism.