April 3, 2020

Faculty 101 gets fashionable with Johnson Jorgensen


Preview video: Faculty 101

Welcome to Faculty 101, a podcast that offers a listen into the pursuits and perspectives of Husker faculty.

Hosted by Mary Jane Bruce, these stories explore how our faculty got here, what they’ve learned along the way, and why they do what they do at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Listen: Faculty 101 with Jennifer Johnson Jorgensen

Jennifer Johnson Jorgensen, assistant professor of textiles, merchandising and fashion design, joins the fashion-forward Bruce in the latest episode.

The Minnesota native talks about how an early fascination with barcodes, a formative 4-H event and a family of small-business owners presaged her move to New York, where she would eventually land a job at Calvin Klein.

Johnson Jorgensen later discusses the emergence of sustainable fashion — which has caught on with both her students and Megan Markle — before discussing where the industry is headed: minimalistic chic, gender-neutral clothing and augmented-reality shopping trips from the comfort of the couch. She also explains the importance of providing a wide-ranging education in the field and encouraging students to explore research opportunities.

The episode wraps with Johnson Jorgensen’s thoughts on patience with long-term goals, the virtues of passion and gratitude, and the timeless appeal of solid colors in fashion.

Faculty 101 episodes will be featured here on Nebraska Today, but you can also subscribe via iTunes and Stitcher. Additional podcast delivery systems will be announced as they come online.

As always, we welcome your feedback. If you like the podcast, please subscribe and share it via a favorite social media channel. You can also offer us feedback and story ideas by sending email to nebraskatoday@unl.edu or calling 402-472-8515.