Jaleesa Reed

Assistant professor of human centered design

Jaleesa Reed, assistant professor of fashion design and management, studies how marginalized groups, particularly Black Americans, use dress and beauty to shape identity and navigate space, with a focus on racism and representation in retail and urban settings. She says this year’s theme provides an opportunity to reimagine the legacy of the Black dandy in light of the influence of time, class, and geography.

Reed says:

“Expressing identity through clothing as a way to subvert societal expectations is fundamental to Black dandyism. Hair and accessories are important style elements that bring the dandy to life, offering accessible and cost-effective avenues for subversion.

“I’ll be looking to see how beauty and personal care products are used to connect individual style to the cultural and sociopolitical meaning of hairstyling across the African diaspora. Access to high-quality products and elite stylists could offer new interpretations of traditional styles.

“This year’s theme, in particular, brings to the forefront the contradictions inherent in the fashion and beauty industries, as well as the event itself: glamour vs. labor, elitism vs. inclusion, and culture vs. commerce.”