VOGUE Ben Barry, the New Dean at Parsons, Is All In on Inclusive Fashion
When you picture the dean of a major postsecondary institution, you may think of a buttoned-up educator wearing some sort of stiff suit. But at the Parsons School of Design in New York City, Dr. Ben Barry is doing things a little differently—both in terms of personal style and the school’s new curriculum for students.
Having recently joined Parsosn as dean in July 2021, Barry is often found on campus wearing bold, vibrant looks that are designed by some of his emerging design students. He will sport a beaded Jontay Kahm top here, or a colorful Jacques Agbobly knit there. “I’ve always understood the power fashion has—it can make every day magical, just by what you put on your body,” says Barry of his statement style. “I have such deep appreciation for the craft and the work and that goes into it.”
New School Free Press | In conversation with Teen Vogue: Evolution of the fashion editorial and what’s next
The Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Gallery at Parsons School of Design shed its usual pristine facade for a more intimate setting, in hosting Fashion in Between: a series of panels, workshops, and screenings curated by the Gromek Institute of Fashion Business, directed by Abrima Erwiah in partnership with Teen Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The gallery, typically a blank canvas, was reimagined with a soft glow, illuminating mannequins and key exhibits that drew curious glances from attendees.
Running from Oct. 14 to Nov. 4, the exhibition continues to evolve, inviting guests into conversations that encourage reflection on the often overlooked ‘in-between’ spaces of the fashion industry’s past, present, and future.
On Wednesday, Oct 16, attendees gathered on wooden stools and benches, murmurs filled the air in anticipation of Teen Vogue panel: The Evolution of Fashion Editorial and Its Role in Today’s Fashion Industry. The panel was moderated by Tchesmeni Leonard, senior fashion editor of Allure, Glamour, and Teen Vogue, and featured Solange Franklin, stylist and brand consultant; Roberto Johnson, stylist; and Amira Rasool, CEO and founder of The Folklore, an online retail platform of diaspora brands. Together, they unraveled how fashion storytelling has evolved in response to social media, artificial intelligence, and cultural shifts.
Teen Vogue: We're Partnering with Parsons and the CFDA to Celebrate Fashion Education
This week, Teen Vogue is all about fashion education. In partnership with Parsons and the CFDA, Fashion In Between: The Future of Fashion Business is a week-long initiative that brings together top industry talent, including Thom Browne, Gigi Burris, and the Ralph Lauren team, to discuss everything from sustainable design and growing a business to the history of dress.
In celebration of Fashion Education Week, this happening aims to spark creativity and spotlight the gray areas in the industry, while centering intersectionality, sustainability, and social justice. Teen Vogue is proud to host a keynote with Bethann Hardison and our Executive Editor Danielle Kwateng, as well as two additional panels. Moderated by our Senior Fashion Editor Tschesmeni Leonard, the first panel will navigate the evolution of fashion editorial in conversation with Solange Franklin, Roberto Johnson, and Amira Rasool, on Wednesday, October 16, at 2:00 p.m. The second panel will examine how activism plays a larger role in fashion on Friday, October 18, at 12:00 p.m., moderated by our Style Director Alyssa Hardy, alongside Summer Dean, Whitney McGuire, and Sara Ziff.
Further, at our pop-up installation in the Anna-Marie and Stephen Kellen Gallery, attendees will be able to explore Teen Vogue’s rich history and progression from a print publication in the early aughts to a digital magazine today,
How Community Organizing Is Changing the Fashion Industry for Workers and Beyond
Teen Vogue co-hosted a week of educational events at the New School’s Gromek Institute for Fashion Business in New York called Fashion in Between: The Future of Fashion Business. During the multi-day symposium, editors, experts, and leaders, including Teen Vogue Executive Editor Dani Kwateng, in conversation with legendary model and activist Bethann Hardison, spoke to students and guests about several aspects of fashion. A public exhibit is in the gallery space until November 11.
Neiman Marcus Group CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck Honored at the 74th Annual Parsons Benefit
Integrated luxury retailer joins forces with its brand partners to raise over $600,000 for Parsons School of Design and The Joseph and Gail Gromek Institute for Fashion Business
Bergdorf Goodman hosts Parsons students to inspire next generation of talent
Graves to Garden Podcast
S1 Ep. 10 | Fashioning Diversity and Social Change - A Juneteenth Special
Welcome to our Juneteenth Special! This episode features a panel discussion that was held at Parson School of Design and put on by the Joseph and Gail Gromek Institute for Fashion Business. The Director of the Gromek Institute, Abrima Erwiah, hosted the first of many panel discussions. In today's discussion you'll hear from Olivier Rousteing - Creative Director of Balmain, Victor Glemaud - Founder of IN THE BLK, Brandice Daniel - Founder of Harlem Fashion Row, and Tara Donaldson - Executive Editor at WWD.
Olivier Rousteing on Diversity in Fashion in discussion at Parsons School of Design | 12 May 2022
During his first trip back to New York since before the pandemic hit, Balmain Creative Director Olivier Rousteing joined a panel of fashion leaders championing diversity in the industry for a talk hosted by the Parsons School of Design's Gromek Institute on May 12th, 2022: “Fashion’s Diversity: Where it Stands, Where it Stalls, Where it’s Going”.
Studio 189 Cofounder Abrima Erwiah Named Director at Parsons
Studio 189 cofounder Abrima Erwiah has been named the inaugural director of the New School’s Parsons School of Design’s newly formed Joseph and Gail Gromek Institute of Fashion Business.
In her new role, which begins this month, Erwiah has been tasked with helping launch the institute, providing leadership and strategic direction, creating original programming, conducting research and developing related initiatives tied to the institution.
The institute was created thanks to an $8.5 million endowment from Joseph Gromek, former president and chief executive officer of the Warnaco Group, and his wife Gail in September 2019. It was the largest individual gift to Parsons in the school’s 123-year history.
PARSONS RECEIVES $8.5 MILLION GIFT TO START NEW INSTITUTE FOR FASHION BUSINESS
New School president David Van Zandt has announced an $8.5 million path-breaking gift by the university’s chairman of the board of trustees, Joseph R. Gromek, to create The Joseph and Gail Gromek Institute for Fashion Business at Parsons School of Design, a new academic hub that will inspire, educate, and develop the next generation of business, fashion, and organizational leaders. The gift, the largest from an individual donor in Parsons’ 123-year history, will strengthen the university’s educational mission through an endowed directorship and an additional faculty appointment.