Dr. Natalie Wright

Biography

Natalie E. Wright is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Design Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her dissertation, titled 'Functional Fashions: Dress Disability United States, 1950-1975', historicizes the concept of 'function' in 20th-century America, revealing the significant role of social construction of disability. The project investigates the period 1950-1975, focusing on how leaders in design, medicine, and public policy believed clothing could make disabled individuals in the U.S. more 'functional'. It sheds light on a national campaign that aimed to increase the visibility and participation of disabled Americans, demonstrating how clothing could influence self-worth and societal perceptions. Wright has held curatorial positions at various institutions, including the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection and the Canadian Museum of History. As a contributing editor for Material Intelligence, she curates exhibitions that combine design and material culture. In 2023-2024, she is a George Gurney Predoctoral Fellow at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and is actively involved in curatorial programs at UW–Madison. Wright has completed her Master’s degree in the Winterthur Program of American Material Culture and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Trinity College, University of Toronto.

Research Interests