Melissa Gamble

Midwestern Region

Melissa is an Assistant Professor in the Fashion Studies Department. Melissa teaches courses such as Trendspotting and Law for Creatives: Fashion. She was the first recipient of Columbia College Chicago’s DEI Teaching Activism Award and a nominee for the Excellence in Teaching award. Melissa has written and presented in the areas of cultural appropriation, changing power structures in the fashion industry, and environmental and social regulation developments in fashion. Her work has been published in industry publications such as The Fashion Law, the University of Pennsylvania Law School’s Regulatory Review, and an upcoming chapter contribution to a text on fashion ethics from Intellect Publishing due out in early 2024. Melissa's industry background includes serving at the Director of Fashion Arts and Events for the City of Chicago, executive producer for the city's fashion week, and developing and launching the Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s on State Street. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Driehaus Design Initiative, the Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy's on State Street, and the Executive Committee of the Chicago History Museum’s Costume Council. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Indiana University, a Bachelor of Arts with honors in Fashion Marketing and Management from the Illinois Institute of Art Chicago, and a Juris Doctor from the Robert H. McKinney School of Law: Indiana University.



Melissa is honored to be nominated for the Board of Directors. She joined CSA in 2021 and currently serves as the co-chair of the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Belonging Committee. Having attended National Symposia and the Midwestern Region’s Symposium, she has had wonderful opportunities to meet members and gain a better understanding of the organization’s goals and opportunities. She has a background in law and fashion. This combination provides a different perspective to the organization. She would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with CSA leaders and members to continue moving the organization forward.