Episode Notes

Everybody gets dressed—but how can fashion be a tool of social justice?

This week, Kayla and Kristina sit down with Dr. Ben Barry, Chair of Fashion at Ryerson University. We talk about how we can imagine fashion beyond ‘the ideal body,’ how Ben and others are working to diversify fashion education, and how we can crip fashion, meaning create desirable clothes made by and for disabled people. We speak about how a co-created relaxed fashion show came together through education and Instagram prowess, how Ben’s current research project, Cripping Masculinity, has adapted during COVID-19, and how access to fashion is access to life: to employment, community, desire, and safety. Ben talks about who he looks to in fashion justice leadership. We wrap up this conversation by noting how joy is found both when we take off our shoes, and when our institutions make systemic change. 

Curl up with your favourite quarantine attire, and prepare to ask yourself some deep questions about how and why we all wear what we do. 

For a full transcript of this episode, as well as helpful links and key quotes, visit the Bodies in Translation Website:  https://bodiesintranslation.ca/crip-times-a-podcast-series/