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.
TREND FORECASTING
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
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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
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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
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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”
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