Dr Kathryn Hardy Bernal

 

kathryn.hardybernal@yoobeecolleges.com

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About

Dr Kathryn A. Hardy Bernal (She/Her), PhD, MPhil(Hons), BArtTh(Hons), is the Academic Supervisor of the Animation Honours programme and Head of Research for Yoobee Colleges, incorporating Yoobee College of Creative Innovation, South Seas School of Film and Television, New Zealand School of Tourism (NZST), Elite School of Beauty and Spa, and the Cut Above Academy, across the New Zealand campuses. She is a critical theorist, and social and cultural historian, researcher, writer, publisher, creator, and curator of art, design, fashion, costume, textiles, film and television, anime and manga, subculture, and psychological anthropology. She has been professionally ranked by the New Zealand government’s Tertiary Education Commission as a specialist in Humanities and Law: History of Art and Design, History, Classics, and Curatorial Studies. Her prolific experience in the arts sector includes tertiary teaching, editorial, and curatorial roles, including senior academic and programme leadership positions at several leading New Zealand and Australian universities.

Dr Hardy Bernal holds a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Material Culture, Massey University); MPhil Hons (Master of Philosophy with First-class Honours in Art and Design, Auckland University of Technology); and a BArtTh Hons (Bachelor of Art Theory with Distinction Honours, University of New South Wales/University of Sydney). Her research examines cross-cultural transmigrations of ideas and belief systems, especially pertaining to visual and material artefacts. The methodologies applied to her research thus stem from her art-historical training and background. Her undergraduate studies, undertaken towards her Bachelor of Art Theory degree with Honours, were tailored towards the History and Theory of Art and Design, History, Museum and Curatorial Studies, and Gender Studies. As such, she reads visual and material culture through the processes of Iconology, Semiology, and Psychoanalytic Art History. She also employs qualitative methods of Sociology and Anthropology, such as Ethnographic Studies, and the Insider/Outsider approach to data collection.

Her transdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy thesis in Visual and Material Culture explores the development of a Mexican subcultural movement and its evolution from its Japanese roots. Whilst originating in Japan as a fashion-based subculture, in connection with kawaii culture, anime and manga, and the v-kei industry, the intentions, meanings, and contexts of the movement have shifted in its migration towards Mexico. Dr Hardy Bernal investigates this transition in association with conditions that allow the subculture to flourish in the Mexican environment, particularly in relation to Mexico’s social, cultural, art-historical, and religious history. Surveys and field studies were undertaken in Mexico in order to examine the Mexican movement in context with traditional, historical, and indigenous frameworks and contemporary Mexican popular culture and society. She critically analyses ways in which the movement reflects and departs from the psychology and philosophies of its Japanese foundations, especially regarding socio-cultural and gender-based politics. In this sense, her doctoral thesis demonstrates a progression from her first-class Master of Philosophy study, which focuses on the psychoanalysis of participation in the original Japanese subcultural movement.

As Head of Research at Yoobee Colleges, Dr Hardy Bernal’s role is to manage the research culture and drive the research strategy across the colleges. One of her main responsibilities is to mentor research-active staff members in their respective fields, and to encourage and support new and emerging research. Specifics of her position include: The provision and establishment of an efficient support system for a community of innovative researchers; development and maintenance of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research networks and associations; facilitation of research activities and opportunities, internal and external, independent and collaborative; and the organisation and promotion of outreach events that contribute to the dissemination of intellectual and creative property and transferral of knowledge, such as conferences, symposia, publications, screenings, and exhibitions. Previous positions at the University of New South Wales, Auckland University of Technology, and Massey University, have included Programme Leader (Deputy Head) of the Department of Fashion and Textiles, Coordinator of Design Theory, and Senior Lecturer in Design and Critical, Theoretical and Contextual Studies (Visual Arts; Digital and Graphic Design; Fashion, Textiles and Product Design; Spatial Design; and Art and Design History and Theory).

Research Outputs

Publications

Theses and Dissertations (Open Access)

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2019). Lolita Latina: An examination of Gothic and Lolita style in the Mexican environment [PhD, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Massey University]. Massey Research Online. https://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/15329

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2011). The Lolita Complex: A Japanese fashion subculture and its paradoxes [MPhil(Hons), Master of Philosophy thesis, Auckland University of Technology]. Tuwhera. https://openrepository.aut.ac.nz/handle/10292/2448

Books

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (Ed.). (2024). Retro-futuristic visions: Looking back to look forward: Conference proceedings of the 2nd international academic conference of Yoobee College of Creative Innovation. Yoobee Publishing. ISBN: 978-0-473-69343-5

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2024). Introduction. In K. A. Hardy Bernal (Ed.). Retro-futuristic visions: Looking back to look forward: Conference proceedings of the 2nd international academic conference of Yoobee College of Creative Innovation. Yoobee Publishing. ISBN: 978-0-473-69343-5

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2018). Lolita through the looking-glass: Alice, the Japanese Lolita subculture, and the Lolita complex. In A. Peirson-Smith & J. Hancock II (Eds.), Transglobal fashion narratives: Clothing communication, style statements, and brand storytelling (pp. 91-114). Intellect. ISBN: 978-1-783-20844-9.

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2012). Japanese Lolita: Challenging sexualized style and the little-girl look. In S. Tarrant & M. Jolles (Eds.), Fashion talks: Undressing the power of style (pp. 117-132). State University of New York (SUNY) Press. ISBN: 978-1-438-44319-5.

eBooks

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2024). In memoriam, in praesentia: La calavera Catrina and embodiment through a Mexican aesthetic expression of a subcultural gothic fashion style. In Conference Proceedings of Ara Honohono Connecting Pathways: The 25th Annual IFFTI (International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes) Conference, Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, New Zealand. Otago University Press.

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2017). Latina Lolita: Gender politics and the Gothic and Lolita subculture in Mexico. In P. Mountfort (Ed.). Peer-reviewed Proceedings of the 8th Annual Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand (PopCAANZ) Conference, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand (pp. 138 – 146). PopCAANZ. ISBN: 978-0-473-41892-2.

Journal Articles

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2023, October). Fashion design process: Kathryn A. Hardy Bernal. Scope: Contemporary Research Topics (Art and Design), 25 (Special Issue - Fashion), 70-73. https://doi.org/10.34074/scop.1025015

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2017). Antonio Álvarez Morán: Los misterios de las monjas vampiras (the mysteries of the vampire nuns) [Review of the film Los misterios de las monjas vampiras, by A. Álvarez Morán (Director)]. Journal of Asia-Pacific Pop Culture 2(2), 253-259. https://doi.org/10.5325/jasiapacipopcult.2.2.253

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2017). Deborah Shamoon and Chris McMorran: Teaching Japanese popular culture [Review of the book Teaching Japanese popular culture, by D. Shamoon, & C. McMorran]. Journal of Asia-Pacific Pop Culture 2(1), 119-122. https://doi.org/10.5325/jasiapacipopcult.2.1.0119

Hardy Bernal, K. (2016). Performing Lolita: The Japanese Gothic and Lolita subculture and constructing identity through virtual space. Journal of Asia-Pacific Pop Culture 1(1), 79-102. https://doi.org/10.5325/jasiapacipopcult.1.1.0079

Chuang, B. K. Y., & Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2008). Loli-pop in Auckland: Engaging Asian communities and audiences through the museum. Sites: A Journal of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies 5(2), 81-110. https://doi.org/10.11157/sites-vol5iss2id103

Other

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2016). Lolita. In Bloomsbury Fashion Photography Archive. Bloomsbury Fashion Central. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781474260428-FPA158

Hardy Bernal, K. (2007, Spring). Lolita in Japan. MQ (Museum Quarterly): The Quarterly Magazine of Auckland War Memorial Museum (112), 33.

Bernal, K. (1999). Legendary Journeys: Craig Judd, Tim Schultz, Wendy Sharpe, Margaret Snowdon [Exhibition catalogue]. The Greek Festival of Sydney, Kudos Gallery, Sydney, Australia.

Creative Works

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (Designer/Creator) (2023). Una colleción de moda, “el amor nunca muere”, modelo 2: Sagravera [One-piece garment].

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (Designer/Creator) (2022). Una colleción de moda: “el amor nunca muere”, modelo 1: Marilupe [Two-piece garment].

Hardy Bernal, K. (Curator). (2007, September 15-November 26). Loli-pop: A downtown Auckland view on Japanese street fashion [Exhibition]. Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland, New Zealand.

Hardy Bernal, K. (Designer/Creator) (2007). Amorette [Five-piece exhibition garment]. Loli-pop: A downtown Auckland view on Japanese street fashion. Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland, New Zealand.

Bernal, K. (Curator). (1999, March). Legendary Journeys: Craig Judd, Tim Schultz, Wendy Sharpe, Margaret Snowdon [Exhibition]. The Greek Festival of Sydney, Kudos Gallery, Sydney, Australia

Conferences

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2023, October 25-27). La moda Lolita Mexicana y día de los muertos: A Hallowe’en celebration [Conference paper presentation]. Retro-futuristic Visions: Looking Back to Look Forward. The 2nd International Academic Conference of Yoobee College of Creative Innovation, Wellington, New Zealand.

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2023, April 3-6). In memoriam, in praesentia: La Calavera Catrina and embodiment through a Mexican aesthetic expression of a subcultural gothic fashion style [Conference paper presentation]. Ara Honohono Connecting Pathways: 25th Annual IFFTI (International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes) Conference, Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2022, December 14-16). An anniversary reflection on Eiko Ishioka’s Orientalisation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula [Conference paper presentation]. Media, Culture, and Society: The Inaugural International Academic Conference of Up Education (Australia and New Zealand), Yoobee College of Creative Innovation, Auckland, New Zealand.

Weston, N. J., & Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2022, September 13-14). A Discovery of Witches, a blue and orange landscape: Colour coding and unconscious orthogonal morality schemata in film and television [Conference paper presentation]. See and Be Seen: An Interdisciplinary Conference on Storytelling and Identity in Popular Culture, Popular Culture Research Centre, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand [Online].

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2022, July 14-16). The woman in blue: An iconographic study of Lady Macbeth (2016) [Conference paper presentation]. EUPOP 2022: The Ninth Annual International Conference of the EPCA (European Popular Culture Association), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland (Online).

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2018, July 2-4). Marianismo, the divine feminine, and the Gothic Lolita identity in Mexico [Conference paper presentation]. 9th Annual International PopCAANZ (Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand) Conference, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.

Hardy Bernal, K. (2017, July 18-21). Lolita Gótica Mexicana: The Gothic and Lolita subculture in Mexico [Conference paper presentation]. Gothic Traditions and Departures: 13th Biennial Conference of the IGA (International Gothic Association), Universidad de las Américas, Puebla (UDLAP), San Andres, Cholula, Mexico.

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2017, July 10-11). Latina Lolita: Gender politics and the Gothic and Lolita subculture in Mexico [Conference paper presentation]. 8th Annual International PopCAANZ (Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand) Conference, College of Creative Arts, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2016, June 29-July 1). What is gothic about Lolita? The Gosurori and the origins of the Japanese Gothic & Lolita movement [conference paper presentation]. 7th Annual International PopCAANZ (Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand) Conference, Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2015, June 29-July 1). Lolita in cyberspace: Performing identity via online Lolita fashion subculture communities [Conference paper presentation]. 6th Annual International PopCAANZ (Popular Culture of Australia and New Zealand) Conference, College of Creative Arts, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2014, June 12-14). Lolita meets Alice in wonderland [Conference paper presentation]. Fashion in Fiction: Style Stories and Transglobal Narratives, City University, Hong Kong, China.

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2013, August 5-8). Lolita in virtual space: Constructing identity and the globalisation of the Japanese Gothic & Lolita subculture via online communities [Conference paper presentation]. Gothic Technologies/Gothic Techniques: 11th Biennial Conference of the IGA (International Gothic Association), University of Surrey, Guildford, England.

Hardy Bernal, K. (2012, April 12-14). Eiko Ishioka and the Orientalisation of Bram Stoker's Dracula [Conference paper presentation]. Gothic Transformations: The Bram Stoker Centenary Conference, University of Hull, Hull and Whitby, England.

Hardy Bernal, K. (2011, June 29-July 1). Confronting the hegemony: The Japanese Lolita subculture and the Lolita Complex [Conference paper presentation]. 2nd Annual International PopCAANZ (Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand) Conference, Langham Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand.

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2009, July 21-24). From prey to predator: Re-imag[in]ing Lolita in Japanese shôjo gothic fiction [Conference paper presentation]. Monstrous Media/Spectral Subjects: 9th Biennial Conference of the IGA (International Gothic Association), Lancaster University, Lancaster, England.

Hardy Bernal, K. A., & Chuang, B. K. Y. (2008, December 4-6). A museological engagement with Asian and youth communities in Auckland: Loli-pop: A downtown Auckland view on Japanese street fashion [Conference paper presentation]. AAANZ (Alpha Alpha Alpha November Zulu: Art Association of Australia and New Zealand) Annual Conference, Brisbane, Australia.

Hardy Bernal, K. (2007, November 22-25). The Gothic Lolita: A living doll [Conference paper presentation]. 17th New Zealand Asian Studies Society International Conference, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Hardy Bernal, K. (2007, May 26-27). Kamikaze girls and Loli-goths [Conference paper presentation]. Fashion in Fiction: An International Transdisciplinary Conference, University of Technology, Sydney.

Keynotes, Invited Guest Lectures, Public Talks, and Recorded Interviews

Hardy Bernal, K. (2017, January 1). Latin Lolitas: Lynn Freeman met with academic and art and design historian Kathryn Hardy Bernal, who is currently researching Lolita’s influence in Latin America [Radio interview]. Radio New Zealand. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-weekend/audio/201829170/latin-lolitas

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2014, April 1-3). Gothic & Lolita: A Japanese subculture and worldwide phenomenon [Keynote presentation]. Convergencias Góticas: VI Coloquio Gótico Internacional (Gothic Convergences: VI International Gothic Congress), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico.

Hardy Bernal, K. (2011, May 8). Revolution and revivalism: 1965 - 1975 [Invited public guest lecture]. In association with the exhibition, Local Revolutionaries: Art and Change, 1965 - 1986, Auckland City Art Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand.

Hardy Bernal, K. (2007, October 31). The Gothic Lolita: A living doll [Curator’s public lecture]. In association with the exhibition, Loli-Pop: A Downtown Auckland View on Japanese Street Fashion, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland, New Zealand.

Hardy Bernal, K. (2007, October 23). Asian Report with Suzanne Schockmann: Curator Kathryn Hardy Bernal is interviewed by Suzanne Schockmann about her exhibition, Loli-Pop [Radio interview]. Radio New Zealand.

Hardy Bernal, K., & Chuang, B. (2007, October 21). Curators Kathryn Hardy Bernal and Bevan Chuang are interviewed by Melissa Lee about their exhibition, Loli-Pop, at Auckland Museum [Televised interview]. Asia Downunder. TVNZ1.

Hardy Bernal, K. (2007, September 2). The cult of death: Victorian medievalism and mourning [Invited public guest lecture]. In association with the exhibition, Passion and Politics: Two Centuries of British Art, Auckland City Art Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand.

Hardy Bernal, K. (2007, August 19). Aestheticism and artistic dress [Invited public guest lecture]. In association with the exhibition, Passion and Politics: Two Centuries of British Art, Auckland City Art Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand.

Hardy Bernal, K. (2007, May 6). The cult of death: Victorian medievalism and mourning [Invited public guest lecture]. In association with the exhibition, Passion and Politics: Two Centuries of British Art, Auckland City Art Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand.

Research Awards and Grants

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2017 – 2014). Recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s Doctoral Scholarship Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Hardy Bernal, K. A. (2012). Winner of the 2012 Emerging Researcher Award Auckland University of Technology, School of Art and Design, Auckland, New Zealand

Bernal, K. A. (2002). Winner of the Jamie Jenkins Award for Art Theory University of New South Wales, College of Fine Arts, Sydney, Australia

Contribution and Membership

Internal Roles and Responsibilities

Head of Research (Yoobee College of Creative Innovation)

Head of Postgraduate Studies (Yoobee College of Creative Innovation)

Chair of the Research Committee (Yoobee College of Creative Innovation)

Membership of the Ethics Committee (UP Education)

Contribution to the Research Environment

Convenor of Retro-futuristic Visions: Looking Back to Look Forward. The 2nd International Academic Conference of UP Education (Australia and New Zealand), Yoobee College of Creative Innovation, Wellington, Oct 25-27, 2023

Convenor of Media, Culture, and Society: The Inaugural International Academic Conference of UP Education (Australia and New Zealand), Yoobee College of Creative Innovation, Auckland, Dec 14-16, 2022

Area Chair of Costume, Cosplay, Subcultural Fashion for Media, Culture, and Society: The Inaugural International Academic Conference of UP Education (Australia and New Zealand), Yoobee College of Creative Innovation, Auckland, Dec 14-16, 2022

Area Chair of Historical Studies, Visual Arts Theory for Media, Culture, and Society: The Inaugural International Academic Conference of UP Education (Australia and New Zealand), Yoobee College of Creative Innovation, Auckland, Dec 14-16, 2022

Executive Committee – Secretary, PopCAANZ (Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand), 2015-2019

Executive Committee – Area Chair of Subcultures/Organiser of Call for Papers, PopCAANZ (Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand), 2016-2019

Managing Editorial Assistant/Editorial Assistant, JAPPC (Journal of Asia-Pacific Pop Culture), Pennsylvania State University Press, Pennsylvania, USA (Online), 2017-2019

Peer Reviewer, JAPPC (Journal of Asia-Pacific Pop Culture), Pennsylvania State University Press, Pennsylvania, USA (Online), 2015-2019

Panel Chair – Fashion and Textiles, 9th Annual International PopCAANZ (Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand) Conference, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand, 2018

Peer Reviewer/Copy Editor, Mountford, P. (Ed.). (2017). Published Proceedings of the 8th Annual Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand (PopCAANZ) Conference, Wellington, New Zealand, PopCAANZ, ISBN: 978-0-473-41892-2, 2017

Panel Chair – Fashion and Textiles, 8th Annual International PopCAANZ (Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand) Conference, Massey University, College of Creative Arts, Wellington, New Zealand, 2017

Panel Chair – Fashion and Textiles, 7th Annual International PopCAANZ (Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand) Conference, University of Sydney, Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney, Australia, 2016

Panel Chair – Fashion and Textiles, 6th Annual International PopCAANZ (Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand) Conference, Massey University, College of Creative Arts, Wellington, New Zealand, 2015

Peer Reviewer/Endorser, Kuldova, T. (2016). Luxury Indian Fashion: A Social Critique, Bloomsbury, ISBN: 978-1-474-22092-7, 2015-2016

Conference Ambassador, The End of Fashion International Academic Conference and Events, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand, 2016

Peer Reviewer/Copy Editor, Joseph, F., Smith, M., Smitheram, M., & Hamon, J. (Eds.). (2015). Shapeshifting: A Conference on Transformative Paradigms of Fashion and Textile Design, Auckland University of Technology, ISBN: 978-1-927184-27-1, 2014-2015

Exhibitions Advisory Board Member, St Paul St Galleries, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand, 2011-2014

Peer Reviewer, SMT (Studies in Material Thinking), Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand, 2011-2013

Graduate Exhibitions Curator (Costume, Fashion, Textiles), Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand, 2009-2013

Founding Vice-President, GANZA (Gothic Association of New Zealand and Australia), 2012-2013

Conference Co-convenor and Co-organiser, Gothic Antipodes: The Inaugural Conference of the Gothic Association of New Zealand and Australia, The Stamford Plaza Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand, 2012-2013

Exhibitions Curator (Costume, Fashion, Textiles)/Events Co-organiser, AD10 Art + Design Festival, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand, 2009-2010

Panel Chair – Gothic Fashion, Monstrous Media/Spectral Subjects: 9th Biennial Conference of the IGA (International Gothic Association), Lancaster University, Lancaster, England, 2009

Invited Guest Head Exhibition Curator, Loli-Pop: A Downtown Auckland View on Japanese Street Fashion, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland, New Zealand, 2006-2007

Guest Exhibition Co-curator and Co-organiser, Legendary Journeys: Craig Judd, Tim Schultz, Wendy Sharpe, Margaret Snowdon, The Greek Festival of Sydney, Kudos Gallery, Sydney, Australia, 1999

Membership and Affiliations

CTANZ (Costume and Textile Association of New Zealand)

EPCA (European Popular Culture Association)

GANZA (Gothic Association of New Zealand and Australia)

IGA (International Gothic Association)

PopCAANZ (Popular Culture Association of New Zealand and Australia)