Dress & Body Association

“Dress” is a highly inclusive concept that includes all varieties of body supplements and body modifications* found in human cultures around the world. It is not limited to clothing, costume, or fashion or to any particular time, place, or economic structure. The mission of the Dress and Body Association (DBA) is to bring together scholars from diverse disciplines and areas of the world to share academic research about dress and body practices, to offer quality opportunities for networking, and to forge links with like-minded individuals and organizations.

Dress and Body Association Mission Statement, 2020

Heather M. Akou Indiana University
Therèsa M. Winge Michigan State University

The Dress and Body Association strives to create a diverse and inclusive community of scholars, educators, activists, and students who share an interest in dress and the body.  

DBA conferences happen entirely online.  This offers participants:

  1. Flexibility: In-person conferences are cumbersome and expensive to plan, which makes them difficult to change or adapt to new circumstances like pandemics and other crises.

  2. Accessibility: Travel is expensive and time-consuming. Many scholars cannot afford to travel internationally. Even scholars with funding may have restrictions due to caretaking responsibilities, health issues, difficulty obtaining a visa, etc. 

  3. Inclusivity: “Dress and the body” is a subject that pertains to all human cultures, the DBA is committed to including diverse scholars from around the world.

  4. Sustainability: Rethinking the traditional format of an academic organization will allow us to have a much more positive impact on the environment. International travel is not only expensive, but harmful to the planet. Online activities reduce consumption and waste.

There is no cost to participate, although donations are welcome to keep our website running.

*Citation: Joanne B. Eicher (2000), “Dress,” Routledge International Encyclopedia of Women: Global Women’s Issues and Knowledge, edited by Cheris Kramarae and Dale Spender, New York, Routledge: 422-423.

DBA logo designed by Noel Thomas