Alison Matthews-David

About the Author

Alison Matthews-David is a historian and curator with a passion for the darker side of fashion, exploring how style has intersected with danger and death throughout the ages. With a background in art history and material culture, she has dedicated her career to uncovering the hidden perils embedded in clothing and accessories, from toxic dyes to deadly accessories. As an associate professor at Ryerson University and former curator at the Royal Ontario Museum, Matthews-David brings a sharp, interdisciplinary lens to her work, blending meticulous research with engaging storytelling. Her debut book, Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, and Murdered Through History, reveals the macabre tales behind our wardrobes, proving that what we wear can indeed be fatal.