Department of Interior Design and Fashion Studies

Melody LeHew

Melody LeHew

Professor
Fashion Studies Graduate Faculty Member, certified to direct doctoral and master's students

Contact Information

213 Justin Hall

lehew@k-state.edu

Education

  • Ph.D. Retail and Consumer Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • M.S. Textiles and Clothing, The Ohio State University
  • B.S. Textiles and Clothing – Fashion Merchandising, The Ohio State University

Area(s) of Specialization

  • Sustainability and Retailing
  • Sustainable Consumption
  • Sustainability Education
  • Circular Economy in Fashion Industry

Courses Taught

  • FASH 325 Fashion Retailing
  • FASH 330 Dress and Human Behavior
  • FASH 700 Foundations of Sustainability

Professional Biography

Dr. Melody L. A. LeHew received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Textile and Clothing from The Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in Retail and Consumer Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her scholarship program focuses on sustainability education and sustainable strategies in soft goods production, distribution, and consumption.

Dr. LeHew received several external grants to support sustainability research from USDA NIFA Higher Education Challenge grant program, and grant funding to support strategy research from the International Council of Shopping Centers. She is an active member of a federal multistate research project: NC1030 – Sustainable and Resilient System: Transformative Response to Disruptions by Families, Businesses, and Communities. Her sustainability expertise is integrated into the teaching of consumer behavior, fashion theory, retail management, business strategy, and foundational sustainability principles supporting industry transformation.

Dr. LeHew values shared governance and the philosophy of servant leadership, as reflected by her years of service as a Faculty Senator, including a term as President of Faculty Senate. She served as Co-Chair to K-State’s Sustainability Strategic Plan Committee and two years as Interim Department Head in the department of Hospitality Management. Dr. LeHew also served as President of the International Textile and Apparel Association, the leading professional organization in her discipline.

For more information, see the vita.

Vita (pdf)