Lynn Blake, Associate Professor, Fashion
Degrees: A.A.S., Fashion Institute of Technology, London College of Fashion, College for the Distributive Trades; B.F.A., Massachusetts College of Art; MFA, Interdisciplinary Arts, Goddard College
Areas of Specialization: Fashion Design, Illustration

Lynn Blake is engaged in an ardent mission to build bridges connecting fine art, design and academics with the objective of creating art that reflects and informs contemporary culture. Her work centers on the issue of the female voice and appearance in a patriarchal society past and present. She has exhibited throughout New England in both solo and collaborative shows, two of which she acted as curator. She is currently involved in an interdisciplinary collaboration celebrating the fishing community of Deer Isle, Maine.

In addition to her current sustained artistic practice, Lynn has a 30-plus year history in the apparel manufacturing industry. She has held key principle design positions for major manufacturers such as New Balance Athletic Shoe Co., Inc. and Mast Industries, LTD, which includes the private labels of The Limited Stores, Limited Express and Victoria's Secret. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Costume Society of America.

Lynn's teaching career represents a balance of vintage and modern instruction; by merging her industry experience with the instruction of cutting edge technology, Lynn provides fashion design students with a sound understanding of the global community of manufacturing, which in turn affords them an edge in developing careers in the apparel market.

Lynn Blake writes of her teaching philosophy: "I believe strongly in creating a safe atmosphere where students are free to speak and experiment. My knowledge is challenged and my curiosity excited when students pursue ideas deemed undoable. When those ideas work, it becomes a lesson for both of us about taking risks and following intuition, not routine. Teaching design at Lasell College is a privilege that offers me engagement with raw, undeveloped, artistic talent. Our connected learning philosophy provides the opportunity to impress upon design students the importance of a well merged education of academics, fostered creativity and professional skill development."