Karen Lea-Swain

Lecturer in Fashion Business

Karen Lea-Swain

Lecturer in Fashion Business

Email: k.lea-swain@mmu.ac.uk

Since graduating from Liverpool John Moores University with an Honours Degree in Fashion and Textiles, I have worked at Senior Management levels within the Fashion Industry in both apparel and footwear, branded and own-brand product areas.
Experience and areas of specialism include trend forecasting/adaption, product development, the fashion supply chain and global sourcing. I currently teach part-time as a Lecturer on Fashion Business within MMU, whilst also co-running a footwear retail business. This enables me to share relevant and contemporary business information with my students and colleagues, whether that relates to blue chip retail or entrepreneurship. I take a keen interest in researching and discussing the many challenges that the contemporary fashion industry faces.

Academic and professional qualifications

Since graduating from Liverpool John Moores University with an Honours Degree in Fashion and Textiles, I have worked at Senior Management levels within the Fashion Industry in both apparel and footwear, branded and own-brand product areas.
Experience and areas of specialism include trend forecasting/adaption, product development, the fashion supply chain and global sourcing. I currently teach part-time as a Lecturer on Fashion Business within MMU, whilst also co-running a footwear retail business. This enables me to share relevant and contemporary business information with my students, whether that relates to blue chip retail or entrepreneurship. I take a keen interest in researching and discussing the many challenges that the contemporary fashion industry faces.

Academic qualifications:

Masters in Higher Education Research - currently undertaking

Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Undergraduate teaching

BA(Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising

BA(Hons) Fashion Promotion

BA (Hons) International Fashion (Top Up)

Fashion Research Project Supervisor

Final Year Personal Tutor

Academic Placement Student Tutor

Membership of professional associations

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK – FHEA

Office Location

Room C2.31
Cavendish South
Manchester Fashion Institute
Manchester Metropolitan University
Cavendish Street
Manchester M15 6BG

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday