In this episode of iNNOVATION Insights, host Dr. Eulanda Sanders sits down with Dr. Michelle Burton, Assistant Professor of Fashion Merchandising at Montclair State University and former retail industry leader, to explore the intersection of fashion, sustainability, innovation, and well-being.
Dr. Burton shares her journey from corporate retail roles at major brands to academia, offering powerful insights into how industry experience can strengthen teaching, research, and student preparation. She reflects on the realities of transitioning from corporate culture to academic culture, the importance of applied learning in fashion education, and why bridging the gap between industry and the classroom is essential for preparing future professionals.
This conversation dives into Dr. Burton’s research on sustainability and consumer behavior, including how people extend the life of their clothing through repair, repurposing, and mindful consumption. She introduces her work on textile crafts as tools for well-being and empowerment, highlighting how creative practices support mental health, identity, and community building—especially within marginalized communities. Dr. Burton also discusses her interdisciplinary projects, including fashion-based storytelling initiatives that elevate social impact, ethical responsibility, and cultural awareness.
The episode explores how innovation in fashion is not just about new products, but about using what already exists to empower people, build inclusive systems, and create meaningful change. Dr. Burton offers practical insights for educators, students, and professionals seeking to navigate sustainability, technology, and purpose-driven leadership within the fashion and retail industries.
⚫Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to Innovation Insights + Meet Dr. Michelle Burton
00:37 Mentorship Memories: Starting the Doctoral Journey
02:39 From Pre-Med to Retail: Falling in Love with Fashion
04:30 Why Store-Level Experience Matters
07:10 What a Merchandise Planner Does
08:43 Staying Connected to Stores While in Corporate
11:17 Leaving Corporate for Academia: Stability, Purpose & the Pay Cut
15:41 Corporate vs Academic Culture: Speed, Relevance & Student Readiness
19:04 Bridging the Industry Gap: Tech, AI Panels & the Talent Shortage
22:22 Why Merchandisers Should Sew: Skills, Retail Math & Business Basics
25:29 Dissertation Deep Dive: Extending the Consumer Decision Model for Sustainability
27:18 From EBM to a Product Lifecycle Expansion Model
28:24 Two Research Strains: Textiles, Wellbeing & Digital Engagement
28:54 Textile Crafts as Empowerment: Study Origins, Methods & Key Findings
31:18 Twitch, Mental Health Access & Reuse: Why Craft Became a Wellbeing Lens
34:34 Human Trafficking Survivor Narratives Through Garments + Marketing
37:35 Designing for Connection: Classroom Collaboration, Platforms & the Loneliness Epidemic
40:51 Trail Running as Personal Wellbeing Practice
46:31 Bridging Academia & Industry at Montclair: Curriculum, Tools & Interdisciplinary Partnerships
51:54 Defining Innovation: Use What You Have to Empower Others + Final Wrap-Up
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