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Laura Kidd

Laura Kidd, Program Director, Associate Professor

In addition to teaching and research, Dr. Laura Kidd oversees many of the student fashion events at SIU, including the annual senior portfolio show. Dr. Kidd's published works focus heavily on global sociology  through the lens of fashion, from historic patriotic expression to women's health issues, such as menstrual garments and technology.

Research Interests

Social history pertaining to dress, ethnic costume, Hungarian holocaust, neo-Nazi hate clothing, flag-themed clothing.

Special Projects

  • 1997-present: Producer and Director of annual Fashion Studies Program Fashion Show (April) that presents the graduating senior designers final collections.
  • 2005-2012: Service Project: Produces a Red Dress Fashion Show in conjunction with an annual February fundraiser, RED Extravaganza, sponsored by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Alumnae Chapter; fundraiser promotes awareness of heart disease in women and also raises scholarship monies.
  • 2011: Curated and delivered exhibit of Eco-friendly/Sustainable Fashion Garments for the 8th Annual Environmental Summit, “Teaching and Learning for a New ‘Green’ Era,” interuniversity collaboration with Western Illinois University, Macomb IL, April.
  • 2005-2006: Conservation of a Grand Army of the Republic Worthen Post No. 238 Flag, for the General John A. Logan Museum, Murphysboro IL. Flag in permanent collection.
  • 2006: ‘Old Glory’: The GAR and Patriotism, curator/exhibit designer/researcher, temporary exhibit at the General John A. Logan Museum, Murphysboro, IL, June 10-August 31.
Laura Kidd Quigley Hall 311D
618-453-3734
lkidd@siu.edu

Education

  • Ph.D., Textiles and Clothing, Department of Textiles and Clothing, Iowa State University, Ames IA, 1994
    • Dissertation: Menstrual Technology in the United States, 1854-1921 (Major Professor, Dr. Jane Farrell-Beck)
  • M.S., Textiles and Clothing, Department of Home Economics, North Dakota State University, Fargo ND, 1981
    • Master’s Paper: Theatrical Costume as a Symbolic Indicator of Society, Using Certain Shakespearean Characters (Major Professor, Emily Reynolds, deceased)
  • B.S., Drama, Department of Speech and Drama, North Dakota State University, Fargo ND, 1976
    • Minor: History

Courses Taught

  • FDM 111 Fashion Production I
  • FDM 112 Fashion Production II
  • FDM 121 Fashion Illustration
  • FDM 211 Fashion Production III
  • FDM 252 Draping
  • FDM 432 History of Western Costume, Ancient Times through 1850
  • FDM 433 History of Western Costume, 1860 to the Present
  • FDM 352 Experimental Design
  • FDM 431 Ethnic Dress
  • FDM 451 Senior Studio I
  • FDM 452 Senior Studio II

Publications

Kidd, L.K. (2011). Goose stepping fashion: Nazi inspiration in fashion. Paideusis: Journal of Interdisciplinary and Cross Cultural Studies, 5, p. F1-F29, http://smu-facweb.smu.ca/~paideusis/volume5/F_v5_LauraKKidd.pdf

Kidd, L.K. (2007). Wear it or wave it: The United States flag as a fashion icon. Raven 14, 35-57.

Kidd, L.K. (2006). ‘A splendid and beautiful Silk Flag’: Restoring and remembering America’s history stitch by stitch, RAVEN 13, 59-73.

Kidd, L.K. (2006). A case study: Creating special occasion garments for young women with special needs, The Clothing and Textile Research Journal, 24(2), 161-172.

Kidd, L. K., & Lee, Y. S. (2002). The style characteristics of the hwalot, with a focus on a robe from the collection of the Honolulu Academy of Art. The Clothing and Textile Research Journal, 20(1), 1-14.

Workman, J. E., & Kidd, L. K. (2000). Use of the need for uniqueness scale to characterize fashion consumer groups. The Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 18(4), 227-236.

Kidd, L. K., & Workman, J. E. (1999). Assessment of creativity in apparel design. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal 17(1), 58-64.

Kidd, L. K., & Farrell-Beck, J. (1997). Menstrual products patented in the United States, 1854 through 1921. Dress: The Annual Journal of the Costume Society of America, 24, 27-42.

Farrell-Beck, J., & Kidd, L. K. (1996). The influence of health professionals on the development and dissemination of women’s sanitary products, 1880-1940. The Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences, 51(3), 325-352.

Chapters in Professional Books

Khoza, L. S., & Kidd, L. K. (2003). Swazi bridal attire: Culture, traditions and culture. In D. Johnson, & H. F. Bradley (Eds.), Wedding Dress Across Cultures.Oxford, UK: Berg.

Audiovisual Media

Kidd. L.K. (2009). ‘What becomes a racist most’: Hate couture in the United States. Teaching material and power point presentation prepared for Dr. Linda Arthur, Washington State University and Dr. Virginia Elsasser, Centenary College (New Jersey).

Kidd, L.K. (Writer/Producer). (2006). ‘A splendid and beautiful Silk Flag’: The Conservation of a 1913 Grand Army of the Republic Flag Worthen Post No. 128, Murphysboro, Illinois [CD]. Presented in conjunction with exhibit ‘Old Glory’: The GAR and Patriotism, General John A. Logan Museum, Murphysboro, IL, June 10-August 31, 2006.