Audio interview with Dominique Norman, 2019 Novermber 26
Scope and Contents
Dominique Norman was interviewed by Anna Robinson-Sweet on November 26, 2019 at The New School. Norman is a graduate of Parsons School of Design’s MA program in Fashion Studies and currently a part-time faculty member and academic and career advisor at Parsons. The interview begins with Norman recounting how she got involved in the peer health advisor (PHA) program, and the connections with her previous activism on body positivity in the fashion industry. Norman then speaks about the projects she was involved in as a PHA, which included organizing film screenings and an annual art exhibition focused on body positivity. She discusses what body positivity means to her, and how this tied into her work as a student at Parsons. Later in the interview, Norman discusses administrative changes at the university and how that has affected the PHA program. She also discusses her perspective on these issues as a student advisor. At the end of the interview, Norman reflects on current support among the students and administration at Parsons for greater inclusivity and body positivity in the fashion program.
Dates
- 2019 Novermber 26
Extent
1 digital_recordings (00:50:07 duration; includes PDF transcript)
Conditions Governing Access
This interview and transcript are accessible onsite only at the request of the interviewee. Please contact archivist@newschool.edu for appointment.
Participant Biography
- Dominique Norman
- Dominique Norman is a designer, educator, writer and activist. As of 2020, she serves as a part-time faculty member at Parsons School of Design in the School of Art and Design History and Theory as well as an academic and career advisor in the School of Fashion. She also teaches at Marymount Manhattan College. Norman received a BA in apparel merchandising, design, and textiles from Washington State University where she created the first plus-size collection, as well as one of the only collections to feature all models of color. Following her undergraduate career she entered the graduate program in Fashion Studies at Parsons, obtaining her MA in fashion studies with a certificate in gender and sexuality studies in May of 2018. During her time at Parsons, Norman worked as a peer health advocate (PHA). As a PHA, Norman was a member of the Body Positivity Collective, and organized film screenings, exhibitions, and other events promoting body positivity on campus, and particularly in the fashion program at Parsons. Norman’s writing on fashion, beauty, race, and body positivity has been published in numerous online publications, magazines, books, and journals.