Dr Cheryl Roberts

Biography

Dr Cheryl Roberts is a researcher and postgraduate tutor in the School of Media and Communication at the London College of Fashion. Her research centres on narratives embodied in the (im)materiality of objects found in the consumption of dress and textiles and is informed by her practice as a costume maker. She has previously taught at higher education institutions including the Royal College of Art (2016- 2023), University of Brighton (2009- 2020), and Middlesex University (2011- 2016), and has presented her research internationally and published widely.

Dr Roberts current research explores using human and animal waste in the fashion system to inform sustainable present and future fashion design thinking, education, and industry. Central to this work are narratives of ‘ecological thought’, community and co-existence, fuelled by multiple perspectives and interconnectedness.

Dr Roberts is currently writing two books: Fur Ecologies: Narratives of Fashion Materialities (under review), and Martin Margiela for Anthem Press’ Fashion Auteurs series (2027).
In addition, she was the book reviews editor for the journal Critical Studies in Fashion and Beauty (2023-2026) and is a member of the academic editorial boards for Thames and Hudson, Bloomsbury, Fairchild Books, and Yale University Press.

Before her academic career, Dr Roberts worked as an art director, costume designer and stylist for film, television, theatre and music videos. She continues in this field as the current External Examiner for Arts University Bournemouth’s undergraduate and postgraduate costume courses.