George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
Milan Shahani,
B.A, M.F.A.
Professor
Biography
Milan Shahani has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology and Sociology from Bombay University. She also holds a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree specializing in Costume Design for Theatre, from the University of North Carolina’s School of Arts. Milan’s career started as a Costume Designer for various theatre and film productions in Toronto and India. She worked in New York City On-Broadway and Off-Broadway Productions as an assistant costume designer. She has taught designers, mentored students through industry commissioned projects and provided apprenticeships for graduates. Her academic career at George Brown Polytechnic started in 1999, she has been teaching here ever since. Her applied research interest lies in designing garments for healthcare and particularly the differently able community. She has worked as Principal Investigator (P.I.) on two applied research projects with University of Toronto (U of T), Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy department, and as a P.I. on an applied research project with a private sector partner. Her research has enabled her to also work with two community organizations as a P.I. Her current research project as P.I. is on creating a digital guide to adaptive clothing where she has partnered with a community organization in Toronto who serve persons with disabilities. She is a recipient of three federally funded Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) grants. Milan is grateful to all her students over the years of teaching, who have energized her and made her realize her passion for academia.
Academic Credentials
M.F.A .Costume Design, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, 1996.
B.A. Psychology/Sociology, Bombay University, 1986.
Diploma in Fashion Design, Sophia Polytechnic, Bombay University. 1985.
Areas of Specialization
Illustration
Textiles
Costume history and design
Applied research in Adaptive Clothing
Areas of Expertise
Costume design for film and theatre
Adaptive Clothing
Career Highlights
1999-Present: Professor, George Brown Polytechnic
2015-2020: Research on “Adaptive clothing for persons living with hemi-paresis.” Funded by SSHRC
2018: “Upcycle for College Students.” A research project focused on sustainable fashion
January 2015- June 2015: “Design of a two piece incontinence system” Funded by IRAP Business Innovation Access Program
2014-2015: Research Using Participatory Action Research to Develop Adaptive Purses for Women with Chronic Hemiparesis. Funded by George Brown Polytechnic Seed Grant
2011: Costume Designer ~ Theatre. The Post Office (an adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s play “Dak Ghar”) Pleiades Theatre. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2010: Costume Designer ~ The Africa Trilogy, Volcano Theatre in coproduction with Luminato and Stratford Theatre, Canada
2009: Costume Designer ~ Shakuntala Pleiades Theatre. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2008: Costume Designer ~ Digital Installation. When the Gods came down to Earth. A Public Installation for Luminato Toronto, On, Canada, ROM museum.
2007: Costume Designer ~ Film. When The Music Speaks. A music video for CBC and APTN television. Toronto, On, Canada
2005: Costume Designer ~ Metamorphosis. St. Lawrence University Dept. of Speech and Theatre Canton, New York, U.S.A
Other Activities
Contributions to Training: Supervised students in applied research projects, trained them in interview techniques, ethics application,running focus groups and administered the development of garments accessories for various research projects.
Adviser: Independent study in Costume design.
Mentor: Supervised fashion students as costume design assistants in research and design skills, understanding the role and collaborating with the design team of set,lighting and technical designers, interaction with actors, actor costume fittings,reading and understanding the script and characters.
Volunteer: Member of the community advisory group at Toronto Rehab Institute: University Health Network.
Member of Peers Fostering hope stroke survivors helping stroke survivors organized by March of Dimes Canada.
Presenter: 2015 “Adaptive Clothing” Keynote speaker at Linden School for Girls, Toronto, Ontario.
May 2020 “Universal Design in Adaptive Clothing” Virtual presentation to Stroke Survivors through March Of Dimes Canada (MODC).
Awards
2019: Research Mentor of the year award
1993-96: Non-Resident Tuition Award ~ North Carolina School of the Arts
Publications
“Engaging Students to Create a Mural Inspired by a Museum Visit A Creative Approach to Teach Textiles” Conference Presentation https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2337&context=itaa_proceedings
“Style meets function: The inclusive winter jacket.” Conference Presentation https://www.iastatedigitalpress.com/itaa/article/id/8338/
“Design and Technological Innovation in the creation of clothing to support autonomy, participation and Inclusion”. American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) conference 2019. Chicago, Illinois. Conference Presentation
“Re fashioning adaptive clothing for persons living with hemiparesis.” https://oaks.kent.edu/iffti2020/iffti-2020-between-individual-and-society-community/refashioning-adaptive-clothing
“Using participatory design to test the functionality of adaptive bra and blouse.” At the International Textile and Apparel Association Conference 2020. Denver, Colorado.