Mary Ruppert-Stroescu


Associate Professor; Area Coordinator - Fashion Design

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Ruppert-Stroescu’s research focuses on the study and application of creativity, particularly through the exploration of sustainable fashion design and production, as well as interdisciplinary collaborations with engineers and medical scientists on wearable electronic textile-based sensing systems that address health and wellbeing. Ruppert-Stroescu has numerous peer-reviewed publications and has given research presentations and exhibited her creative scholarship at conferences internationally. She holds intellectual property protection for four inventions, including a patent for “Textile repurposing and sustainable garment design.” Her service-learning work has been recognized twice by Oklahoma State University. She was also recognized as the Spears School of Business Riata Entrepreneurship Fellow of the Year and received WashU’s 2022 Advisor of the Year Award.

Stories

Ethical exotics

Ethical exotics

Kahan Chavda, BSBME ’16, co-founder of Inversa, a company pioneering the field of ethically harvested leathers, workshops with Sam Fox School students on how engineering and fashion design can support endangered ecosystems.
Sam Fox School presents 96th Annual Fashion Design Show April 26

Sam Fox School presents 96th Annual Fashion Design Show April 26

The Sam Fox School will present WashU’s 96th Annual Fashion Design Show April 26 in Holmes Lounge. One of the oldest such shows in the nation, the event will feature dozens of models wearing scores of outfits that together explore avant-garde looks, user-centered design and cross-cultural connections.
Reimagining textile production

Reimagining textile production

Cotton fabric is natural, renewable, biodegradable and at least theoretically sustainable. With her patented RECLEM process, WashU fashion associate professor Mary Ruppert-Stroescu hopes to revolutionize how recycled fabrics are processed and used to create new garments.