Lidewij Edelkoort tapped as Parsons newest Dean

In spite of her recent criticism on today's fashion schools contributing to the death of fashion in her acclaimed manifesto 'Anti-Fashion', trend forecaster and futurist Lidewij Edelkoort has been appointed Dean of Hybrid Design Studies at Parsons School of Design in New York and Parsons Paris. In her new role, which she is set to begin come September this year, Edelkoort will create opportunities for other fields across Parsons curriculum.

"The New School and Parsons School of Design are thrilled to welcome Lidewij Edelkoort to our university," said Tim Marshall, provost of The New School, of which Parsons falls under. "Her intuitive thinking and ability to identify emerging social-cultural patterns and directions will help us develop curriculum for the creative economy of the future."

The renowned trend forecaster is set to be involved in the development of hybrid design and liberal arts programs, create new projects and curriculum for freshmen, strengthen Textile Design and develop new approaches to Costume and Couture Design in her new role. She will also lead the Trend Forecasting and Color course at Parsons in Paris next spring.

Lidewij Edelkoort appointed to Dean of Hybrid Design Studies

Edelkoort is keen to share her knowledge with students, she reveals in a press statement. "I can’t wait to be part of Parsons and The New School to create innovative ways of teaching between the different creative and scientific disciplines," she said. "I have spent my life developing creativity and recognizing emerging shifts that designers need to understand. The opportunity to share my experience with these talented students is the perfect next step for me and I look forward to working with them to design a better world."

It will not be the first time that Edelkoort takes on a teaching role, in the past she directed the Design Academy in Eindhoven and established the Designhuis. She has also help set up the School of Form in Poznan, Poland and created the Trend Tablet, an interactive online forum that shares knowledges regarding the power of design.

"Lidewij Edelkoort brings a way of thinking and of using design that will be an inspiration for both faculty and students," said Susan Taylor-Leduc, dean of Parsons Paris. "Her unique vision of the future of design, and the role designers, and entrepreneurs will play, will be instrumental as she helps to build our curriculum."

Photos by Puxan BC 2015.