Feb 082021
Kim Renfrew is looking for research participants interested in talking about what they wear and why, or why not! She’s working on a PhD at the University of the West of England (UWE) on creating, negotiating and maintaining lesbian identity through dress practices and the dressed and adorned body.
Her aim is to look at:
- Dress and beauty/grooming practices among participants of all backgrounds over the age of 18, who identify as women, and are primarily attracted to other women.
- What we wear now and what we have worn across our lives
- How we make sense of dress/adornment/beauty/grooming in a culture that views lesbians as not caring about appearance or style
- The impact Covid-era lockdowns have had on the way we dress and express our identity.
Participation will involve some or all the following:
- Taking part in oral history audio or video interviews – including looking at clothes and grooming items
- Keeping a clothing diary
- Reflecting on photographs and sharing wardrobe content
How these will be conducted will of course depend on coronavirus and some activities will take place online, while others may happen further down the line when restrictions are eased and contact with others feel safe.
If you’re interested in getting involved, contact Kim at Kim2.Renfrew@live.uwe.ac.uk – she’ll be happy to share detailed information about what’s involved.