Outgoing Parsons dean Simon Collins will be sorely missed

News that Simon Collins will step down from his post as dean of Parsons fashion school in December came as a shock to some in the industry. His will be a hard act to follow.

"Parsons has never been in better shape than now, and I think it's a person's duty is to leave a job in better shape than when they found it," Collins says when asked about his reasons for leaving. "We have raised the quality of everything we do over these past six years and I am confident the team will continue the great work.

"Also, I think it's important to leave a party at its peak rather than when you've outstayed your welcome. While we have had many great successes, I know the school will benefit from a fresh face and a new vision."

As an industry insider, Collins bridged the gap between fashion academia and commerce at the school in the past six years. He led the initiative for student programmes supported by luxury giants such as LVMH and Kering as well as Uniqlo in Japan and LiNing in China. Having initiated the fashion school's first master programme, Collins also oversaw the opening of the Paris campus near the Louvre.

He has been a great representative for the school, lifting its international profile while turning Parsons into a mega brand.

"We have gained wide exposure in Brazil, France, Dubai, Spain, China, Japan, UK, Korea and many other regions," he says. "We are invited to work on projects and to speak all over the world and always it is because people recognise and respect the Parsons brand."

Collins has been tireless in his support of young graduates as well as high-profile alumni such as Derek Lam, Donna Karen, Narsico Rodriguez, Marc Jacobs and Anna Sui.