Suzanne Loker
Professor
2007
FSADWeb Bio Page
Current Activities
Current Professional Activities
My work focuses on the apparel industry; its emerging technologies and strategies such as body scanning, mass customization, and virtual reality applications; social responsible business practices; and the role of entrepreneurship in innovation and creative economic development. Web sites include:
Current Research Activities
Improving Apparel Sizing Using Body Scan Technology The Cornell Body Scan Research Group collects and analyzes 3D body scan data. Several date bases have been developed of minimally clothes and clothed scans to evaluate exxisting ready-to-wear fir and methods to improve fit by modifying current patterns and size specifications.
Social Responsible Business Practices in Apparel, Textile, and Footwear Industries Focusing on human rights, labor rights, and environmental stewardship, this research identifies and analyzes firms using best practices around the world. Case studies will highlight companies and practices that serve as models for other businesses and students who want to incorporate socially responsible practices.
The Creative Economy Approach to Economic Development in Upstate New York. Case studies of community/higher education partnerships and analyses of artists' social networks have been conducted. Model creative economy principles are recommended.
Current Extension Activities
My work focuses on the apparel industry; its emerging technologies and strategies such as body scanning, mass customization, and virtual reality applications; social responsible business practices; and the role of entrepreneurship in innovation and creative economic development. Web sites include:
www.apparelindustry.cornell.edu
The Cutting Edge Guide to Apparel Business, http://ifup.cit.cornell.edu or htp://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/cutting edge
http://eclips.cornell.edu
www.nycreativeeconomy.cornell.edu
www.Topstitch.cornell.edu, Cornell's newsletter for the NYS apparel and sewn products industry
Mass customization multimedia tutorial, PC-based and web-based
Apparel Industry Outreach Web Page
www.bodyscan.human.cornell.edu
Biography
Biographical Statement
Suzanne Loker has taught apparel design courses for over 30 years at Cornell University, University of Vermont, Kansas State University, and others. She has served in administrative positions including department chair at University of Vermont and director of the School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Idaho. Her research interests have focused on the apparel industry and including ground-breaking work on applications of body scan data to improving apparel sizing, social responsible business practices in the apparel and textile industry, home-based work, the role entrepreneurship plays in innovation and creative-based economic development, and international production.
Courses, Websites, Pubs
Courses Taught
FSAD 689 - Apparel Supply Chains and Social Responsibility
Related Websites
Personal Website
Apparel Industry Outreach Web Page
www.bodyscan.human.cornell,edu
www.topstitch.cornell.edu
The Cutting Edge guide to apparel business http://ifup.cit.cornell.edu or http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/cuttingedge
http://eclips.cornell.edu
www.nycreativeeconomy.cornell.edu
Publications
Dickson, M. A., Loker, S., & Eckman, M. (in press). Social responsibility in the global apparel industry. New York: Fairchild.
*Loker, S. (in press). A technology enabled sustainable fashion system: Fashion’s future. In Hethorn, J. & Ulasewicz, C. (Eds.). Sustainable Fashion, Why Now? NY: Fairchild.
*Loker, S. & Ashdown, S. P. (2008). Virtual sensation: Dress online. In Johnson, D. C.(Ed.) Senses and sentiments in dress. London: Berg.
*Loker, S., Ashdown, S.P., & Carnrite, E. (2008). Dress in the Third Dimension. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal.
*Loker, S. (2007). Mass customization and sizing. In Ashdown, S. P. (Ed.), Sizing in clothing, Cambridge, England: Woodhead.
Loker, S., Ashdown, S. P., & Schoenfelder, K. A. (2005). Size specific analysis for body scan data to improve apparel fit. Journal of Textiles and Apparel, Management and Technology, 4(3), http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/jtatm/
Loker, S. & Ashdwon, S. P. (2005). The body scanner: Mass customization technology applied to ready-to-wear. Proceedings of the Third Interdisciplinary World Congress on Mass Customization and Personalization, Hong Kong, September 18-21.
Loker, S., Ashdown, S. P., Cowie, L., & Schoenfelder, K. A. (2004). Consumer interest in commercial applications of body scan data. Journal of Textiles and Apparel, Management and Technology, 4(1), http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/jtatm/
Ashdown, S. P., Loker, S., Schoenfelder, K. A., & Lyman-Clarke, L. (2004). Using 3D scans for fit analysis. Journal of Textiles and Apparel, Management and Technology, 4(1), http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/jtatm/
Loker, S., Cowie, L.. S., Ashdown, S., & Lewis, V. D. (2004). Consumer reactions to body scanning. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 22.
Kamali, N. N. & Loker, S. (2002). Mass customization: On-line consumer involvement in product design. Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, 7(4). http://www.ascusc.org/jcmc/vol7/issue4/loker.html
Loker, S. (2000). Interweaving home and work spheres: Gender and the Vermont knitters. In Hennon, C.B., Loker, S., & Walker, R. (Eds.). Gender and Home-Based Employment. Westport, CT: Auburn House.
Conway, M. & Loker, S. (1999). Garment Industry Development Corporation: A case study of a sectoral employment development approach. Washington, DC: The Aspen Institute.
Loker, S., Good L. & Huddleston, P. (Eds.). Softgoods to the world. Monument, CO; International Textile and Apparel Association.
Loker, S. 1998. KRAS-HAKA: A Czech Apparel Manufacturer's Transition to a Market Economy. In S. Loker, L. Good & P. Huddleston (Eds.), Softgoods to the World. Monument, CO: International Textile and Apparel Association.
Loker, S. 1995. Jitex: A case study of apparel marketing in the Czech Republic. International Marketing Review,12(5), 60-71.