Dr. Leila Kelleher
Dr. Leila Kelleher is a fashion scholar and designer whose work focuses on size-inclusive design, sustainable fashion, and the application of biomechanics in apparel development. With a PhD in Biomechanics, she takes an interdisciplinary approach to advancing equitable practices in fashion. She is co-founder of the Size Inclusion in Fashion (SIF) Lab, which fosters research, education, and industry collaboration to challenge conventional sizing systems. Her book, Plus Size Patternmaking for Womenswear (Bloomsbury, 2026), is the first specialized textbook on plus-size patternmaking, introducing technical and socio-cultural approaches that reflect the proportions and needs of plus-size people. Leila was formerly a Professor of Health Sciences and most recently served as Assistant Professor of Fashion Design and Social Justice at Parsons School of Design.