Advancing Fashion Research: Dr. Michelle Burton’s Impact
Posted in: Announcements
Dr. Michelle Burton, Assistant Professor in the Fashion Design and Merchandising program in the Department of Art & Design, is making waves with her innovative research and contributions to the field. Recently, she achieved two major milestones that underscore her commitment to advancing knowledge in fashion design, retail, and sustainability.
From November 20-23, 2024, Dr. Burton presented her research at the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) annual conference. Her work, titled “Authentic, Challenged, and Balanced: An Analysis of Perceived Career and Life Fulfillment for Women in Retail,” explores the unique experiences of women in retail careers.
This study investigates and analyzes women’s attitudes towards their ability to be authentic, challenges in their careers, and the connection between perceived career fulfillment and life satisfaction. A key driver of her research was the observation of positive trends in women’s leadership: in 2023, women led over 10% of Fortune 500 companies for the first time, up from just 6.4% in 2016 and less than 5% in 2014. Despite this progress, global underrepresentation of women in top leadership positions persists.
Dr. Burton’s research aims to uncover the reasons ‘why’ many women choose to remain in retail settings and examines their perceptions of fulfillment both in their professional and personal lives. By addressing these questions, she hopes to provide valuable insights to academic and industry professionals, helping to develop programs that enhance the recruitment and retention of women in the retail sector. Such initiatives would foster a sustainable supply chain workforce that values authenticity, balance, and challenge.
For more details on Dr. Burton’s work, visit the conference website.
In addition to her ITAA presentation, Dr. Burton celebrated the acceptance of her manuscript in Fashion Practice: The Journal of Design, Creative Process & the Fashion Industry. Her paper, “I Have No Unwanted Items: Prolonging the Lifespan of Clothing Through a Proposed Expansion of the Engel-Blackwell-Miniard (EBM) Consumer Decision-Making Model,” proposes groundbreaking research on sustainable fashion consumption.
This study proposes an expanded post-consumption evaluation phase within the EBM Consumer Decision-Making Model, emphasizing the decision-making process, sewing skills, and resources required to extend the life of clothing. Drawing on data from 14 women worldwide, selected for their sustainable consumption behaviors, Dr. Burton’s findings highlight how consumers engage in practices like repurposing and reuse to avoid traditional disposal methods.
The research advocates for the inclusion of a sewing curriculum in primary education to teach essential apparel construction skills, enabling individuals to participate in apparel life extension practices. By promoting a “never-ending product life cycle,” her study provides a valuable framework for researchers and industry leaders looking to foster sustainability in fashion.
Dr. Burton’s work exemplifies the mission of the Department of Art and Design at Montclair State University: to advance creative thinking, sustainability, and innovation. Her research not only informs academia but also inspires actionable changes in the retail and fashion industries.
Congratulations to Dr. Michelle Burton for these remarkable achievements and for continuing to elevate the Fashion Design and Merchandising program at Montclair State University!