Karen L. LaBat, Ph.D.

Specialties and Expertise

• Wearable Product Design Center: Human Dimensioning© Laboratory--Director

• Product Development for Human Health and Safety

• Apparel Fit and Sizing

Course Titles

• ADes 2213 Textile Analysis

• ADes 4215 Product Development: softlines

• DES 8151  Product Development: Theories and Methods

• DES 8164  Innovation Theory

 Selected Scholarship

• LaBat, K. & Kim, Hye-Young. (2012) co-editors, focused issue on Fashion and Health, Clothing and Textiles Research Journal.

• LaBat, K. & Sokolowski, S.  (2012). Olympic Dress, Uniforms, and Fashion. The Berg Fashion Library. Aug. http://www.bergfashionlibrary.com/view/bewdf/BEWDF-v10/EDch10412.xml.

• Kim, D-E & LaBat, K. (in press). An exploratory study of users’ evaluations of the accuracy and fidelity of a 3D garment simulation, Textile Research Journal.

• McKinney, E., Bye, E., LaBat, K. (2012). Building patternmaking theory: A case study of published. Patternmaking practices for pants, International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education. 1-15.

• Chen, C. & LaBat, K.& Bye, E. (2011). Bust prominence related to bra fit problems. International Journal of Consumer Studies. 35, 695-701.

• Kim, D-E & LaBat, K. (2010). Design process for developing a liquid cooling garment hood. Ergonomics. 53(6), 818-828.

• Chen, C., LaBat, K. & Bye, E. (2010). Physical characteristics related to bra fit. Ergonomics. 53(4), 514-524.

• Pitimaneeyakul, U. & LaBat, K. (2010). Dress of Laos, The Berg Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion.  

• Pitimaneeyakul, U. & LaBat, K. (2010). Dress of Thailand, The Berg Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion.

• LaBat, K. & Ryan, K. (2009) Design and medicine collaborate using digital technology. Australasian Medical Journal, 1(10), 92-92.

• Ryan, K. & LaBat, K. (2009) Addressing the challenges of patient-centered design. Australasian Medical Journal, 1(13), 204-210.

• Staker, M., Ryan, K., & LaBat, K. (2009). Medicine and design investigate residual limb volume fluctuations. Australasian Medical Journal, 1(12), 156-161.

• Bye, E., LaBat, K., McKinney, E., & Kim, D-E (2008). Optimized pattern grading.  International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, 20(2), 79-92.

• LaBat, K. (2007). Sizing Standardisation, in Ashdown, S.P., Editor. Sizing in Clothing: Developing Effective Sizing Systems for Ready-To-Wear Clothing, Woodhead Publishing.

• LaBat, K., Salusso-Deonier, C., & Rhee, J. (2007). Home sewers’ satisfaction with fit of apparel patterns. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 11(3), 429-440.

• Bye, E., LaBat, K., & DeLong, M. (2006). Analysis of body measurement systems for apparel. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 24(2), 66-79.

• Schofield, N., Ashdown, S., Hethorn, J., LaBat, K. & Salusso, C. (2006).  Improving Pant Fit for Women 55 and Older Through an Exploration of Two Pant Shapes. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 24 (2), 147-160.

• LaBat, K. (2006). Human factors and apparel design, International Encyclopedia of Ergonomics and Human Factors. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press.

• Bye, E. & LaBat, K. (2005). An integrated strategy for teaching clothing design studios. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 97(4), 60-65.

• Schofield, N. & LaBat, K. (2005). Defining and testing the assumptions used in current apparel grading practice. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 23(3), 135-150.

 Awards and Honors

• College of Design, Outstanding Research Award, May 2009.

• Lectra Innovation Award for Faculty Research with E. Bye, E. McKinney, & D-E Kim, October, 2007.

• College of Human Ecology Innovation and Mission Advancement Award with E. Bye and M. DeLong, May 2006.

• College of Human Ecology Educational Leadership Award, 2005.

• Design Institute Fellow, University of Minnesota, 2002.

• College of Human Ecology Award for Excellence in Advising, 2001.

• Program Excellence Through Research Award for Sun Smart Program. National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, with S. Gahring, M. DeLong, & J. Getting, 1998.

• Research & Outreach Award for the Sun Smart Program. Minnesota Association of Extension Educators with S. Gahring, M. DeLong, & J. Getting, October 5, 1998.

 Exhibition Planning and Implementation

• Wright, B., LaBat, K., co-curators. Techno Textiles: Inner Space to Outer Space. Proposal accepted by Goldstein Museum of Design, University of Minnesota for implementation, (planning began September, 2006), May 15-July 27, 2008.

• LaBat, K. & Nelson, N. Contemporary Irish textile art: The women of Annaghmakerrig (Exhibition). Goldstein Gallery, University of Minnesota, March 17-May 12, 1996.

Professor

Apparel Design Program

Director, Human Dimensioning Lab

Department of Design, Housing, and Apparel
354 McNeal Hall

1985 Buford Ave.

St. Paul, MN 55108-6136

(612) 624-3628
klabat@umn.edu

Human Dimensioning Lab

In the News

Q & A: Horace T. Morse Award Recipient Karen LaBat