Leila Kelleher

Leila Kelleher (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Fashion Design and Social Justice at Parsons School of Design. She works at the intersection of fashion and biomechanics to centre fat bodies that are traditionally excluded by the fashin industry. Leila’s teaching, research, and professional practice uses an interdisciplinary, decolonized, and anatomically-based approach that applies the principles of biomechanics, the study of human movement, to fashion design and production.

Her current research is centred on exploring best practices for plus size patternmaking, grading, and fashion pedagogy. She is also working on a project that explores the fat fashion experience through the lens of making and is the co-owner of Muna and Broad, a plus size specific sewing pattern company. Her previous research includes a multi-year Indigenous partnership in the Canadian Arctic, biomechanical research on sporting protective equipment and functional movement, and occupational injuries in professional musicians. Leila has a PhD in Biomechanics from Western University (Canada), a Masters in Music Performance from the Eastman School of Music, and was previously a Professor of Health Sciences and Wellness at Humber College in Canada.