About
My relationship to textiles is deeply rooted in my ancestral background. My family name, Khawam, comes from the Arabic word "خام" (kham), meaning cloth made from raw wool or cotton. The term speaks to materiality and the foundational act of making. This legacy is not only linguistic but also lived through my passion for textiles. Born in Lebanon, trained in France, and based in New York, I bring a global perspective and draw on an international trajectory that informs my approach to textiles as living art forms.
As a lecturer, researcher, mentor, and insight provider in textile studies and design, I bridge industry and scholarship to explore fabric as an active source of knowledge stemming from craftsmanship, color, innovation, culture, and trade. My work aims to spark curiosity and engage more thoughtfully with the materials and histories that shape our world. It is driven by a commitment to making textile history relevant to today’s creative, industrial, and educational landscapes.
Celine Khawam is a textile historian, designer, and lecturer at Parsons School of Design and the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID). She holds an MFA in Visual Arts from Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne and an MA in Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, and Museum Practice from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Her international design practice spans textile collections for American, European, and Japanese markets, with collaborations including Bellora 1883, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Polo Japan, Hermès, Kenzo Maison, and Givenchy. Her archival and conservation experience includes work with the Museum at FIT, Special Collections and FIT Archives (SPARC), and the Textile Lab at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Bridging industry and academia, her work explores textiles’ evolving role through the lens of history, material culture, and today’s zeitgeist.
TREND FORECASTING
& CREATIVE INSIGHT
Featured in:
My work includes seminars on color and responsible textile innovation for international trade platforms such as Première Vision in New York, Paris, and Montreal. Available as tailored presentations, internal workshops, or curated written reports, this research helps teams connect cultural insight with creative direction.
I approach trend discussions as contextual markers: expressions of changing values, aspirations, and relationships with materials. These talks move beyond what comes next to understand why it matters and what it could mean for a collection, a brand, or a creative practice. They aim to inspire, inform, and explore fashion and textile narratives more deeply.
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HISTORICAL RESEARCH
& CULTURAL NARRATIVES
- “Marie El-Khazen (1899-1983): A Pioneer Lebanese Photographer,” exhibition review in Design and Culture (forthcoming)
- “Our Identity and Symbols: From Gilgamesh, Baal, and Adonis to the Present”, exhibition review in TEXTILE: Cloth and Culture (September 29, 2026)
June 9-10, 2024, Parsons The New School of Design
TEXTILE SOCIETY OF AMERICA (TSA)“Shifts & Strands: Rethinking the Possibilities and Potentials of Textiles.” November 12-17, 2024, virtual symposium
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN DIGITAL COMMONSHenri de Châtillon (1906-1972): A French Milliner in Mexico City.
(©2024 CelineKhawam)
FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTIONAL REPOSITORY Violette Marsan, Erik Braagaard, Henri de Châtillon: French Milliners of New York, 1930-1968.
(©2023 CelineKhawam)
I have presented my work at academic symposia organized by the Fashion Studies Network and the Textile Society of America, and have published articles in academic journals. This work brings greater exposure to regional histories and exhibitions that would otherwise be forgotten.
Across these projects, I seek a more inclusive understanding of regional material culture that connects objects to the people, places, and circumstances that shaped them.
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WORKSHOPS, TALKS &
INDUSTRY-ACADEMIA PARTNERSHIPS
THE ECONYL ACADEMY “The Future is Circular” PODCAST: Decoding Fiber Sustainability
THE ECONYL ACADEMY “Understanding Textile Fibers: Pros, Cons, and Applications”
FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY:
Surface DESIGN DEPARTMENT
ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY:
FASHION STUDIES DEPARTMENT
I create workshops and speaking engagements that bring industry practice into dialogue with academic research. Designed for industry players, universities, and educational platforms, these sessions translate textile knowledge into engaging discussions of fibers, material performance, sustainability, and craftsmanship.
Through my work with the Alliance for European Flax/Linen & Hemp, I develop university partnerships and educational workshops that introduce the history, evolution, and creative potential of European flax-linen. These exchanges bring industry expertise into the classroom and create space for critical inquiry and experimentation.
I also contribute to podcasts, webinars, and public conversations, including the Econyl Academy, and have guest-lectured at the Fashion Institute of Technology and St. John’s University. Whether discussing fiber choices with professionals or introducing students to textile systems, I connect technical knowledge with historical context and practical design questions.
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TEACHING &
MATERIAL INQUIRY
NEW YORK SCHOOL OF INTERIOR DESIGN Textiles for Interiors
Textile Design History (forthcoming)
Fashion and Interiors (forthcoming)
PARSONS THE NEW SCHOOL OF DESIGN
History of Textiles
Textile Industry Partnership 2
I teach textiles as both physical materials and cultural expressions, shaped by—and actively shaping—human experience. At Parsons School of Design and the New York School of Interior Design, I merge textiles and material literacy in my teaching practice, bringing historical inquiry into conversation with contemporary design practice.
Through close examination, hands-on investigation, archival research, and creative assignments, I invite students to move between a fabric’s construction and its wider significance. Fiber, weave, color, and finish become starting points for exploring identity, labor, trade, memory, and environmental responsibility.
My approach brings industry experience into the classroom and encourages students to question established practices. From evaluating textiles for interiors to developing research-led creative projects, students learn to connect material choices with their technical, cultural, and environmental implications. Even ordinary, everyday fabrics become an opportunity to look closely, ask better questions, and design with greater intention.
Gen 7 student works at Parsons The New School of Design, featured below.
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TEXTILE DESIGN &
CREATIVE DIRECTION
Giuseppe Bellora 1883
Beekman 1802
Ralph Lauren
Lacoste / IZOD
Kelly Wearstler
Tommy Hilfiger
Gucci Home
Hermès SELLIERs
Kenzo Maison
Givenchy
Collections showcased in Germany:
Heimtextil “Toward Utopia” 2019-20
Heimtextil “The Future is Urban” 2018-19
From initial research and concept development to surface design, sourcing, and product development, I design collections catering to different market contexts. For Bellora 1883, this meant adapting bedding collections for the U.S. market while preserving the Italian brand’s heritage. At Ralph Lauren Home, I created perennial jacquard collections for bath & beach linens and rugs. My experience with Hermès, Kenzo Maison, and Givenchy extended across bedding, home textiles, and fashion accessories.
Developed in collaboration with Rumitex in Pakistan, my work was exhibited twice at the Heimtextil trade show in Germany as part of the “The Future Is Urban” and “Toward Utopia” trend forums.
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