IAN BOWDEN
Lecturer – BA (Hons) Costume Interpretation with Design
Qualifications:
MA Design Practice, Distinction (The Northern School of Art) 2024
HEA Fellowship (Advanced Higher Education Academy) 2020
BA (Hons) in Entertainment Design Crafts, 2:1 (Cleveland College of Art and Design) 2009
Ian Bowden is a Lecturer in Costume at The Northern School of Art, holding a Master’s degree with Distinction in Design Practice. His academic research, titled Evolving Masculinities, explores the shifting nature of masculinity through the lens of costume, focusing on the historical and cultural relationships men have had with clothing.
Ian brings a wealth of industry experience to his teaching on the BA (Hons) Costume Interpretation with Design course. His professional background informs his specialist areas, which include costume research, traditional and digital design, creative pattern drafting, tailoring, corsetry, leatherwork, garment construction, and breakdown techniques.
With a diverse portfolio spanning film, television, theatre, and heritage projects, Ian has contributed to productions such as Damsel (Netflix), Jackdaw, and the National Theatre’s acclaimed War Horse. His approach blends technical skill with critical inquiry, aiming to inspire the next generation of costume professionals.
Research Interests & Projects / Professional Activity / Publications/ Awards / Exhibitions / Media Coverage:
Evolving Masculinities is Ian’s ongoing body of research and creative work, examining the evolution of masculinity through fashion and dress. At its core, the project deconstructs the relationship men have historically had with clothing, exploring how changing societal expectations have influenced self-expression, identity, and perception. Drawing on traditional construction techniques—tailoring, embellishment, and leatherwork—Ian creates garments that challenge norms and celebrate the multifaceted nature of masculinity.
Through this work, Ian investigates how masculinity has been both constrained and liberated by cultural shifts. His research delves into how men have responded to and embraced these changes, often reclaiming aspects of dress and behaviour once deemed taboo or inappropriate. Influenced by artists, designers, and activists who have reshaped masculine identity, Ian’s work frames fashion as a vehicle for empowerment, expression, and resistance.
A key focus of the research is the representation of the male form—how it is viewed, depicted, and politicised. Ian draws on theoretical frameworks and cultural analysis to highlight the societal challenges men have faced, addressing themes such as censorship, identity, sexual orientation, and the celebration (or suppression) of male beauty. His garments function as both fashion and installation art, exhibited across landmark sites in the North East of England and London, and shared through social media as a form of public discourse and visual activism.
Ian’s work has been featured on BBC Radio and BBC Sounds, where he discussed his creative journey as both a practitioner and academic: Listen here – https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hg417y
He also appeared on BBC Two’s documentary Inside Our ADHD Minds, lending his costume expertise to the production. Watch the episode – https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002c6bb/inside-our-minds-inside-our-adhd-minds
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