TESTIMONIAL ***
"Thomas Turner is an excellent tutor and made a huge difference to my fashion history dissertation at the London College of Fashion. His advice and guidance were extremely valuable in improving my analysis, research techniques and in-depth primary research. Thomas' book 'The Sports Shoe' gave me a great insight into the context of my essay and presented the importance of a meaningful response. I really appreciate the high quality of teaching, detailed feedback to improve and wealth of experience passed on through wide-ranging research recommendations. Thanks Thomas!"
Daisy Kennedy - Womenswear Student - London College of Fashion 2025
Thomas is a historian, author, and educator specialising in the cultural and commercial history of fashion. He’s known for bringing the past to life—whether through broadcast appearances, exhibitions, books, or the classroom.
He has delivered talks and research for Grenson, Converse, and Rapha, and worked with institutions including the Design Museum and Northampton Museum & Art Gallery. His writing has been featured in the Daily Telegraph, Proper Magazine, academic journals, and his own books published by Bloomsbury (The Sports Shoe) and Penguin (The Gold).
Thomas has appeared on BBC TV, TalkSport, and Woman’s Hour, and brings the same energy and clarity to his teaching. He holds degrees from Oxford and Birkbeck (BA, MA, PhD), and has taught at some of the UK’s leading universities, including the Royal College of Art, London College of Fashion, and Kingston.
→ NAME: Dr Thomas Turner
→ CAREER: Cultural Historian, Author, Academic
→ BRANDS: Grenson, Converse, Rapha, BBC, Bloomsbury, Penguin
→ INSTITUTES: Design Museum, Northampton Museum, RCA, LCF, Kingston University, Birkbeck
Available For
• Fashion History & Cultural Studies
• Writing for Fashion
• Fashion Futures & Archival Research
• BA / MA / PhD support
• Exhibition & Media Collaboration
Q&A
DEFINE YOUR AESTHETIC:
↳ A mix of classic American Ivy and ’70s/’80s European sportswear—usually secondhand.
WHAT UNIQUE QUALITIES DO YOU BRING TO THE FASHION & TEXTILES INDUSTRY?
↳ I connect fashion to deeper historical, political, and technological shifts. My work explores the origins of everyday products—like sneakers—and reveals the complex systems of production, value, and meaning that surround them.
WHAT DRIVES YOU TO TEACH?
↳ Helping students feel empowered. I love demystifying intimidating academic concepts and giving students the tools to situate themselves in a wider historical and cultural context.
WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY?
↳ Respect every student’s knowledge and potential. Explain everything clearly and without pretension.
CAREER HIGHS:
↳ Besides the satisfaction of seeing a student exceed their expectations? Probably contributing to the Design Museum’s Sneakers exhibition, publishing my first piece of paid writing, or being interviewed on Woman’s Hour about plimsolls.
→ NAME: Dr Thomas Turner
→ CAREER: Cultural Historian, Author, Academic
→ BRANDS: Grenson, Converse, Rapha, BBC, Bloomsbury, Penguin
→ INSTITUTES: Design Museum, Northampton Museum, RCA, LCF, Kingston University, Birkbeck
Thomas is a historian, author, and educator specialising in the cultural and commercial history of fashion. He’s known for bringing the past to life—whether through broadcast appearances, exhibitions, books, or the classroom.
He has delivered talks and research for Grenson, Converse, and Rapha, and worked with institutions including the Design Museum and Northampton Museum & Art Gallery. His writing has been featured in the Daily Telegraph, Proper Magazine, academic journals, and his own books published by Bloomsbury (The Sports Shoe) and Penguin (The Gold).
Thomas has appeared on BBC TV, TalkSport, and Woman’s Hour, and brings the same energy and clarity to his teaching. He holds degrees from Oxford and Birkbeck (BA, MA, PhD), and has taught at some of the UK’s leading universities, including the Royal College of Art, London College of Fashion, and Kingston.
DEFINE YOUR AESTHETIC:
↳ A mix of classic American Ivy and ’70s/’80s European sportswear—usually secondhand.
WHAT UNIQUE QUALITIES DO YOU BRING TO THE FASHION & TEXTILES INDUSTRY?
↳ I connect fashion to deeper historical, political, and technological shifts. My work explores the origins of everyday products—like sneakers—and reveals the complex systems of production, value, and meaning that surround them.
WHAT DRIVES YOU TO TEACH?
↳ Helping students feel empowered. I love demystifying intimidating academic concepts and giving students the tools to situate themselves in a wider historical and cultural context.
WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY?
↳ Respect every student’s knowledge and potential. Explain everything clearly and without pretension.
CAREER HIGHS:
↳ Besides the satisfaction of seeing a student exceed their expectations? Probably contributing to the Design Museum’s Sneakers exhibition, publishing my first piece of paid writing, or being interviewed on Woman’s Hour about plimsolls.
Q&A
TESTIMONIAL ***
"Thomas Turner is an excellent tutor and made a huge difference to my fashion history dissertation at the London College of Fashion. His advice and guidance were extremely valuable in improving my analysis, research techniques and in-depth primary research. Thomas' book 'The Sports Shoe' gave me a great insight into the context of my essay and presented the importance of a meaningful response. I really appreciate the high quality of teaching, detailed feedback to improve and wealth of experience passed on through wide-ranging research recommendations. Thanks Thomas!"
Daisy Kennedy - Womenswear Student - London College of Fashion 2025
QUOTE #02:
“Anisa created a space where creativity wasn’t just encouraged but celebrated. Her feedback was practical and nurturing, empowering me to take risks and grow.”
Isa Geblescu - STUDENT
AVAILABLE FOR:
• Fashion History & Cultural Studies
• Writing for Fashion
• Fashion Futures & Archival Research
• BA / MA / PhD support
• Exhibition & Media Collaboration
COURSES:
CLOSE
CLOSE
CLOSE
