SIMON COLLINS to join parsons board of governors

Collins: “I am thrilled by the opportunity to contribute to Parsons’ bright future"

SimonCollins

Simon Collins

New York (Wednesday, November 19) – The New School has announced that Simon Collins will join Parsons Board of Governors following the end of his term as Dean of the School of Fashion.

Chaired by designer and CEO Kay Unger, the Board of Governors provides strategic leadership and support for Parsons’ five Schools—Fashion; Art Media, and Technology; Design Strategies; Constructed Environments, and Art and Design History and Theory. The board’s 41 members represent a cross-section of business, culture, and design leaders, including Donna Karan, Sheila C. Johnson, Fred Dust, and Reed Krakoff.

“To borrow one of Simon’s favorite phrases, you never leave Parsons – and how wonderful that Simon himself is proof positive of that fact,” said Board Chair Kay Unger. “We are excited to continue to collaborate with Simon on projects including the annual Parsons Benefit, and we look forward to further benefitting from his experience, wisdom, and passion.”

“Parsons’ Board of Governors provides indispensible guidance, support, and connections to the ever-changing world of design,” said Parsons Executive Dean Joel Towers. “Simon is a very welcome addition to this distinguished group. As dean, he led the School of Fashion to new heights, and he will bring to the board his considerable industry experience and commitment to our educational mission.”

Collins will complete his duties as Dean of the School of Fashion when the fall semester ends in December 2014. Since joining Parsons in 2008, Collins led the School of Fashion to record enrollments; brought to campus speakers including Donna Karan, Proenza Schouler, and Isabel Toledo; fostered educational partnerships with leading design companies LVMH, Allen Edmonds, Coach, Kering, Uniqlo, and others; and released a book, The School of Fashion: 30 Parsons Designers.

“The creative capacity of Parsons students and faculty is nothing short of world-changing. It has been one of the great joys of my life to be a part of this rare community,” said Collins. “I am thrilled by the opportunity to contribute to Parsons’ bright future as a member of the Board of Governors.”

Collins will bring more than two decades of international design and business experience to the Board. Prior to joining Parsons, Collins served as Creative Director of Nike’s Asia Pacific Division working with Comme des Garçons and Issey Miyake. Before Nike he worked with Marks and Spencer (UK), Zegna (Italy), FilaSport (US, Italy), Itochu (UK, Japan, global), Greg Norman Collection (US) and the Burton Group (UK).

Parsons The New School for Design is a global leader in design education, with programs that span the disciplines of design and the fine arts. With the launch of its fashion design program in 1904, Parsons is credited with the rise of Seventh Avenue, the epicenter of American fashion. Parsons offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design, Associate Degrees in Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing, and a Master of Fine Arts Program in Fashion Design and Society that was initiated through the support of Parsons alumna Donna Karan. Parsons has educated generations of leading American fashion designers, including Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Isaac Mizrahi, Tracy Reese, Narciso Rodriguez and Anna Sui; and rising talents Prabal Gurung, Derek Lam, Ohne Titel, Thakoon Panichgul, Proenza Schouler, Vena Cava, Alexander Wang, and Jason Wu. For more information, visit www.newschool.edu/parsons.

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