the new school's parsons paris names tuomas laitinen associate program director of the bfa in fashion designThe appointment marks a new chapter for the BFA Fashion Design program at Parsons Paris, and reinforces its international reputation in fashion education |
New York, October 14, 2020 -- Parsons Paris is pleased to announce that Tuomas Laitinen, a Finnish-born fashion designer, stylist, creative consultant and educator, has joined the Fashion Design faculty as Associate Director and Creative Director of Thesis Projects. Re-launched in 2013 and led by Program Director Dr. Leyla Neri, the 4-year BFA Fashion Design program at Parsons Paris prides itself on the diversity of its projects and collaborations with the industry, the expertise of its faculty, as well as the professional outcomes of its alumni. With the increasing interest and enrollment in the program year on year, Parsons Paris has expanded its campus in Fall 2020 to Paris-Romainville at the new Fiminco Foundation artistic hub. Leyla Neri invited Tuomas Laitinen to join the Paris team and contribute with his personal vision and strategy to this exciting phase of growth. “We are thrilled to welcome Tuomas to the team. As both a highly-respected educator and an influential figure in the contemporary European fashion landscape, we look forward to the creative vision, industry insights and excellence in teaching that he will contribute to Parsons Paris,” said Florence Leclerc-Dickler, Dean of Parsons Paris. Laitinen says, “I am excited about my new chapter at Parsons Paris and have very much enjoyed my first weeks working with its motivated team and talented students. Parsons Paris has a unique position in fashion education combining the energy and thrive of New York with both the historic and contemporary fashion creativity of Paris and I am looking forward to giving my own contribution to its growth.” “With his rich industry experience and pioneering projects, Tuomas has a unique profile that fits perfectly with the vision and positioning of Parsons Paris in the field of fashion design. He will play a vanguard role in our experimental fashion laboratory and bring his exceptional skills and incredible energy to our students and faculty,” said Leyla Neri, Director of the Fashion Design Program. Shortly after receiving his MA in Fashion Design from Central Saint Martins in London in 2004, Laitinen and his sister Anna started their eponymous menswear collection, Laitinen, which was shown in the official calendars of Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks and was stocked by leading international retailers. Laitinen started his teaching career in Aalto University in Helsinki in 2006. During his tenure as the Head of BA Fashion, Aalto gained a strong reputation as a source of creative talent for industry’s leading fashion houses and was ranked among the top three fashion schools in the world by Business of Fashion (BoF). Laitinen is a co-founder and Fashion Director of SSAW Magazine, a bi-annual fashion, art and culture publication, which has collaborated on various special projects with clients such as Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Diesel, Comme des Garçons / Dover Street Market, Pitti Immagine Uomo and Paco Rabanne. |
|
Established in 1921 as the first American art and design school in Paris, Parsons Paris today is an international community of students and distinguished faculty committed to tackling the challenges of an evolving world with creativity and intellectual rigor. Parsons Paris offers innovative English language bachelor's and master’s degree programs in fashion, strategic design management, and art, media, and technology. Curricula bring together the globally renowned pedagogy of Parsons School of Design and the unique resources of Paris, with its heritage brands, forward-looking entrepreneurial culture, and access to Europe and beyond. Together with Parsons in New York and The New School—Parsons’ parent university—Parsons Paris maintains a network of local and global universities, cultural institutions, and organizations and businesses. Inspired by this dynamic city and a collaborative, interdisciplinary culture, graduates go on to pioneer new industries and pursue creative careers in Paris and worldwide. Founded in 1919, The New School was established to advance academic freedom, tolerance, and experimentation. A century later, The New School remains at the forefront of innovation in higher education, inspiring more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students to challenge the status quo in design and the social sciences, liberal arts, management, the arts, and media. The university welcomes thousands of adult learners annually for continuing education courses and public programs that encourage open discourse and social engagement. Through our online learning portals, research institutes, and international partnerships, The New School maintains a global presence. Parsons School of Design at The New School is one of the leading institutions for art and design education in the world. Based in New York but active around the world, the school offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the full spectrum of art and design disciplines, as well as online courses, degree and certificate programs. Critical thinking and collaboration are at the heart of a Parsons education. Parsons graduates are leaders in their respective fields, with a shared commitment to creatively and critically addressing the complexities of life in the 21st century. |
 |
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION |
| 79 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10003 www.newschool.edu |
PRESS RELEASE |
Media Contacts: The New School |
|