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As a dress, textile, and (fashion) design researcher and writer, Karmen Samson explores the interaction between objects and society, highlighting how cultural developments influence design and vice versa. She blends scholarly insight with a narrative approach, offering novel perspectives rather than merely critiquing existing ideas, aiming to engage a diverse audience.
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Karmen graduated from the Design Cultures in Art and Culture MA at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (cum laude, 2023), the MA in Critical Fashion Practices in Fine Art and Design at ArtEZ University of the Arts (cum laude, 2019), and holds a BcS Fashion Branding,the Amsterdam Fashion Institute (2016).​ ​​​​​​
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Writing​
Published works in journalism,
academia, and art magazines.
Gym bros and dandies: The evolution of masculinity and appearance. Lived Places Publishing, (expected to be published in Fall 2025,).
Metropolis M, Exhibition review: Salon des Refusés, 1646: You are NOT invited, (2024).
Trigger Magazine / FOMU, Essay, Defying Fashion: Cindy Sherman and Womanhood, (2024).
Metropolis M, Tussen Aldi en avant-garde – KABK’s fashion graduation show, (2025).
Projects​
Fashion practice and research project: As of NÅ«, (2019 - ongoing).
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Collaborative publishing platform for design research: Platform Pudding, read more [1], read more [2] (2025 - ongoing).
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Writing a curriculum-ready book, Gym Bros and Dandies: The Evolution of Masculinity and Appearance, Lived Places Publishing, Fall 2025.
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Personal writing on fashion, Substack (2025 - ongoing).
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Conferences
​Beau Brummell & New Masculinities, Central Saint Martins, Paper presenation: Gymbeaux, (London, 2024).
International Fashion Conference Ways of Caring, Practicing Solidarity, Creative practice: Scarfed Down, (Arnhem 2022).​​​
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The Association of Dress Historians New Research Conference, Paper presentation: Fashion Trends As a Site of Conflict Between Aesthetics and Ethics, (Edinburgh, 2022).
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Fashion Tales Conference, Politics Through the Wardrobes, Paper presentation: Fake-Authenticity for the Sake of the New, (Milan, 2021).
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Article Magazine Symposium Protest, Paper presentation: Sartorial Sites of Conflict (University of Utrecht, 2024).
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Research​​
Fashion Professorship ArtEZ KIEM-project Solidarity in Fashion, (2021-2022).
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Fashion Professorship ArtEZ, Contributor, (2020).
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Teaching​
​Guest Lecture Visual Communication Course, Creative Technology CreaTe programme – Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in collaboration with University of Twente, (2025).​
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Guest Lecture, ArtEZ Critical Fashion Practices, Reading Group: A Time in Fashion Reading Group, (2021).
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Guest Lecture, Interdisciplinary Arts, workshop: Nū Authorities, (2021).​​​​
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Other expierences
External Examiner for the Fashion Department – Gerrit Rietveld Academie, (2025).
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Committee Member, Cultural Programs – Municipality of Haarlem, (2024).
Producer, Nieuwe Instituut, (2023-24).
Coordinator Education, Fashion for Good Museum, (2020-21).
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Branding internship, Iris van Herpen, (2013/2014).
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De Witte Raaf, Exhibition review: Stitch Witch, (2025).
Warehouse, Elisa van Joolen PORTAL 001: Haptic visuality, (2017).
Produced in collaboration with Booijmans van Beuningen
Article Magazine #33, Research paper,
Sartorial Sites of Conflict, (2024).
Textilia, Een pleidooi voor diversiteit en inclusiviteit in de mode, media en retail, (2025). .
Metropolis M Issue nr 5 okt-nov, De imperfecte modeprakijk van Camiel Fortgens, (2025).
Tubelight, review: Ready-to-Post / Ready-to-Wear, Print + online publication, (2023).
Metropolis M, Art Amsterdam verslag - hoogte x lengte x breedte, (2025).
Modemuze, Object analysis, De Helmvormige Pracht van het Friese Oorijzer, 2025.
Economy of the ephemeral : Bloom and decay in time-centric consumerism, Fashion Highlight publication (2024).
Metropolis M, Essay, When Clothing Becomes Art: The Fine Arts of Iris van Herpen and Fong- Leng, (2025).
De Witte Raaf, Exhibition review: For Women Only, (2024).
Modemuze, De tabi: gebruiksvoorwerp, cultureel symbool en mode statement, (2024).
Simulacrum, Essay, Ejaculations of the Mouth: Spitting as a Disposition of Fragile Masculinity, (2025).
De Witte Raaf, Exhibition review: Between Us, (2025).
Metropolis M, Art Rotterdam verslag - Nieuwe locatie brengt nieuw elan (2025). ​
Textiel Plus Beth Williams: Composteerbare textiel als pleidooi voor een inclusieve toekomst, (2025). .
Fashion Highlight Journal, Book Review: Judith Beyer (2025).
Textiel en Porselein: Konno’s studie van tegenstellingen, online publicatie (2025). .
De Witte Raaf, Exhibition review:
Unravel. The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art (2024).
Slanted Magazine #44 Type Fashion, Hijacking the Supporter’s scarf: Commodifying Identity and the Cultural Jamming of Consumer Culture, (2024).
Metropolis M, Exhibition review: Jota Mombaça’s reflections on migration at the former US Embassy – A Method/Grieving Time at West Den Haag, (2024).
Metropolis M, Exhibition review: Ripples of disturbance – NEW WAVE. Future Voices in Art at Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, (2024).
Metropolis M, The Graduates blijage: Jules Coumans, Hanneke Klaver, (2025).
Textual contribution to the book "Not Every Thread Fits the Needle" on the work of textile artist Marja van Putten, A Parade of the Emancipation of Textiles, 2025.
Schoenvisie, Mode icoon De Tabi, (2025).
Metropolis M, Exhibition review: Volkskrant Beeldende Kunst Prijs: A Memoris of Messages, (2024).
De Witte Raaf, Exhibition review: Craft! Now. Over kunst en handwerk, Print + online publication, (2024).
Tubelight, review: Verhulde Vrijheid, Print + online publication, (2019).
Metropolis M, Issue , Essay: Intergenerational Fashion Practices, (2025).
Metropolis M, Exhibition review: Prix de Rome Beeldende Kunsten - Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, (2025).