About

I offer educational services and public speaking engagements designed to connect trend analysis and fashion history with the evolving landcapes of today’s textile industry and academia. 

My relationship to textiles starts with my ancestral Middle Eastern roots. My family name “Khawam” derives from the Arabic word "خام" (kham), meaning raw cloth, often wool or cotton. This rich connotation is deeply tied to material beginnings, stories, and the foundation of textile-making. This legacy is not only linguistic, it is lived through my passion and practice. Born in Lebanon, trained in France, and professionally grounded in New York, I draw from my multicultural background and international experience to nurture a comprehensive perspective on textiles.

As an insight provider, educator, and researcher in fashion and textile studies, design, and global/local trends, my work is an ongoing exploration of textiles as a dynamic body of knowledge and awareness. Through my services, I aim to spark curiosity and inspire individuals and institutions to engage more thoughtfully with the materials, systems, and histories that surround us.

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TREND FORECASTING

PREMIERE VISIONNew York, Paris, Montreal 

Featured in:

DL Vision Mode, April 26, 2025
Knitting Industry, July 19, 2024
The Spin-Off, July 2, 2024
WWD, “Hibernation, Brutalism, Climate Keys at New York Textile Shows,” July 26, 2023
WWD, “Textiles Go Divergent, Authentic and Eco for Fall 2023,” July 27, 2022
I offer custom trend forecasting services rooted in material culture, history, trend analysis, and industry observation. My work is dedicated for institutions, brands, and creative teams seeking meaningful, research-driven insight into where textiles and fashion are headed. It includes leading seminars on seasonal color concepts and eco-responsible innovation at international textile trade shows like Premiere Vision in New York, Paris, and Montreal. This research can be delivered as tailored presentations, internal workshops, or curated written reports designed to inspire, inform, and transmit.


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WRITING & RESEARCH

FASHION STUDIES NETWORK (FSN)“Unravelling Fashion Narratives”
June 9-10, 2024 Parsons The New School

TEXTILE SOCIETY OF AMERICA (TSA)“Shifts & Strands: Rethinking the Possibilities and Potentials of Textiles.” November 12-17, 2024 virtual
 As a scholar, I focus on uncovering the biographies and contributions of forgotten designers within fashion and textile history. My research brings these stories to light through archival investigation and cultural analysis, aiming to reinsert them into the broader narrative of design history. My work was presented at academic symposia, including Fashion Studies Network at Parsons The New School, and Textile Society of America. Through this ongoing scholarship, I advocate for a more layered understanding of fashion’s past and how it shapes the future.



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GUEST LECTURES

FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYTextile/Surface Design Department

ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITYFashion Studies Department
I deliver guest lectures at academic institutions including the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and St. John’s University, where I share insights into my professionnal journey within the textile design world and how the creative process operates. I also offer custom speaking engagements for brands, professional organizations, creative teams, and cultural platforms seeking to deepen their understanding of textiles. These talks can be curated around specific themes to craft engaging moments of learning where context meets creativity and strategy.



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TEACHING

NEW YORK SCHOOL OF INTERIOR DESIGNTextiles for Interiors

PARSONSHistory of Textiles
I teach textiles not just as materials, but as living systems that shape and are shaped by human experience. From their everyday applications in fashion and interiors to their deeper roles in identity, labor, culture, and memory, textiles are far more than surface. They are part of how we dress, communicate, protest, preserve heritage, and imagine the future. My approach invites students to engage with textiles as an integral part of human life, at once functional, symbolic, and profoundly informative. Through this lens, even the most ordinary fabric becomes a site of meaning and inquiry.

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TEXTILE DESIGN

Designed for (selected):

Bellora 1883
Beekman 1802
Ralph Lauren
Hermes 
Kenzo Maison
Givenchy
Lacoste / IZOD
Kelly Wearstler
Tommy Hilfiger

Showcased at:

Heimtextil “Toward Utopia”
Heimtextil “The Future is Urban”


With a foundation in design practice and research, I have developed home linens and textile accessories for leading brands including Bellora 1883, Ralph Lauren, Hermès, Kenzo, and Givenchy, catering to luxury and high-end markets across the U.S., Europe, and Japan. My work often bridges creative direction with material storytelling through color palettes, surface designs, and product concepts that align with brand identity while staying relevant to evolving markets. At Bellora 1883, I created bedding collections tailored to the U.S. market while aligning with the Italian manufacturer’s artisanal heritage. For Ralph Lauren Home and Kenzo Maison, I crafted a series of plush bath & beach towels and rug collections shaped by visual narratives and strategy. My collaboration with Hermès and Givenchy included early-stage product development for Italian-made linens, gloves, and silk scarf accessories. My creations were featured at Heimtextil (Messe Frankfurt), as part of "The Future Is Urban" and "Toward Utopia" trend forums.


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©CelineKhawamFollow: LinkedIn

CELINE KHAWAM
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