Dr. Theresa Alexander

Dr. Theresa Alexander is a professionally trained fashion embroiderer and expert-level patternmaker. She and her sister, Dr. Lalon Alexander are known as UIW's "fashion sisters" or the "embroidery sisters". Together, they have embroidered pieces for television such as HBO’s Temple Grandin, Broadway shows such as Mary Poppins, weddings, and one-of-a-kind fabrics for runway fashions. Dr. T. Alexander has taught graduate and undergraduate classes in advanced design, senior collections, advanced flat pattern manipulation and drafting, patternmaking software, textile product analysis, fashion illustration, portfolio, knitwear, and couture embroidery. Theresa’s research is in the history of couture embroidery and beading. She has interviewed numerous professional fashion embroidery artisans from Europe and India to collect research about the couture embroidery industry. Additionally, Dr. Alexander was awarded a special recognition in the 2009 Hand and Lock Prize for Embroidery for her artistry in hand embroidery. Theresa spends her free time renovating her house, hugging cats, and criticizing her sister.

University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX
Doctor of Philosophy; Major: Higher Education

Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, England
Masters of Arts; Major: Fashion and Textiles

Lesage École de Broderie d'Art, Paris, France
Levels 1-5 Couture Embroidery and Levels 1-3 Interior Embroidery

Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Bachelor of Science; Major: Clothing, Textiles, and Merchandising, with a specialization in Fashion Design

Paris Fashion Institute, Paris, France

Associate Professor
Fashion Management Program
University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas

Instructor
Paris Fashion Institute, Paris, France

Instructor
Apparel Design and Manufacturing Program
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas

Micro-Computing Specialist and Instructor
Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas

Vice President
Elephant Embellishments, LLC, Lockhart, Texas

Couture Embroiderer
Undisclosed Artist, New York, New York

Couture Embroiderer
Miguel Androver, New York, New York

Embroidery Design and Production
Undisclosed Couture Dress Designer, Austin, Texas

Personal Assistant
Haseltine Designs, Paris, France

Student Intern
Textile/Clothing Technology Corporation, Cary, North Carolina

Refereed Articles

Tsai, K. C., Alexander, M. L., & Alexander, T. C. (2013). Impact of an Imagination Exercise on Creativity for Fashion Design Students. Asian Journal of Humanities and Social Studies, 1 (3), 115-121. Books, Monographs, Compilations, Manuals

Books

• Alexander, T. C. (2016). Fashion embroidery: A technical guide to professional embroidery (Proposed)
• Alexander, T. C. (2016). Fashion Illustration.

Refereed Presentations

International

• Alexander, T. C. & Alexander, M. L. (2018). Vermicelli Fill Techniques for Embroidery. International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Meeting and Conference, Cleveland, Ohio.
• Alexander, T. C. (2016, November). The Designer/Embroiderer Relationship: A Comparison between Europe and India. International Textiles and Apparel Association Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada-British Columbia.
• Alexander, T. C. & Alexander, M. L. (2016, November). Embroidery and Beading Design for Fashion. International Textiles and Apparel Association Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada-British Columbia.
• Alexander, T. C. (2016, November). The Designer/Embroiderer Relationship: A Comparison between Europe and India. International Textiles and Apparel Association Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada-British Columbia.
• Alexander, T. C. (2016, February). Remaining Viable in the Face of Globalization: The European High Fashion Embroiderers Methods of Adaptation. International Conference on Design Principles and Practices, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• Alexander, T. C. & Alexander, M. L. (2015). Tambour Embroidery and Beading for Beginners. International Textiles and Apparel Association Annual Meeting, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
• Alexander, T. C. (2015). Why I Became an Embroiderer: Choices of High Fashion Embroiderers from Europe. International Textiles and Apparel Association Annual Meeting, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
• Alexander, T. C. (2015). European High Fashion Embroiderers: Their Professional Story. Ninth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices, Chicago, Illinois.

National

• Alexander, M. L. & Alexander, T. C. (2019). Pushing Beyond the Beyond: Finding Project Diversity Through a New Perspective. Costume Society of America's Annual Meeting and Symposium, Seattle, Washington.
• Alexander, M. L. & Alexander, T. C. (2018). Creative Spark: Applying Innovation-Boosting Tools to Everyday Problem Solving. National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences, San Antonio, Texas.
• Alexander, T. C. & Alexander, M. L. (2018). Greenwood-Lee Portrait of a Young Lady. Costume Society of America's Annual Meeting and Symposium, Williamsburg, Virginia.
• Alexander, T. C. (2014). Tracing the History of the Couture Embroidery Industry. The Qualitative Report's Annual Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
• Alexander, T. C. (2014). Working in the Fashion Embroidery Ateliers of Europe: The Experiences of Professional Embroiderers. Costume Society of America National Conference, Baltimore, Maryland.

• International Textile and Apparel Association, 2001 - Present
• Costume Society of America, 2006 - Present
• Caldwell County Fair Association, 2006 - Present
• Japanese Embroidery Center, 2007 - Present
• Embroiderer's Guild of America/Austin Stitchery Guild, 2008 - Present
• Fashion Group International, 2009 - 2010
• Dallas Career Day, 2010 - 2014
• Surface Design Association, 2013 - 2014

• 2013: The Elusive Skill: Training to Become a Professional Tambour Embroiderer, Doctoral Student Research Symposium.
• 2009: Commendation Award (for quality of embroidery), Hand and Lock Competition

• 2015-Present: Institutional Review Board (IRB) Committee
• 2020: Interior Design Search Committee
• 2019: Animation and Game Design Search Committee
• 2014-2019: Senior Collections Sponsor
• 2016: Search Committee for Cyber Security Assistant Professor faculty position
• 2016-2017: SMD Technology Committee
• 2015 – 2016: Fashion Camp
• 2014-2015: Faculty Development Funds Committee
• 2013-2016: Red Dress Committee
• 2011, 2015: Fashion Tour: Paris – Faculty lead
• 2011 – 2013: SMD Curriculum Committee
• 2009-2010 – 2011-2012: Fashion Society Faculty Advisor
• 2010: SMD Senior Show Committee