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As art and 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
Digital
Metropolis M Issue nr 5 okt-nov, De imperfecte modeprakijk van Camiel Fortgens, (2025).
Metropolis M, The Graduates blijage: Jules Coumans, Hanneke Klaver, (2025).
Metropolis M, Aanwinsten bijlage, De Mentor van Max van Loon, (2024).
Metropolis M, Aanwinsten bijlage, Heat Waves van Kent Chan (2021), Ply Loop Chair, Maker Chair Maze en Maker Chair Hexagon van Joris Laarman(2014–2024).
Modemuze
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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Author of Gym Bros and Dandies: The Evolution of Masculinity and Appearance, Lived Places Publishing, (2026).​
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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
New Fashion Narratives Residency – FASHIONCLASH, (2026).
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).
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Communications – Ways of Caring - Practicing Solidarity Conference, (2022).
Coordinator Education, Fashion for Good Museum, (2020-21).
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Coordinator Design – Fotogram / De Fotoschool, (2016-2017).​
Digital
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Tubelight
Digital and print
Tubelight, exhibition review: Een Lekkere Dood - Museum Totzover, (2024).
Trigger Magzine
Digital
De Witte Raaf
Digital and print
Fashion Highlight Journal
Digital
Fashion Highlight Journal, The Semiotics of Standardized Sizing, (2026).
Article Magazine
Article Magazine #33, Research paper,
Sartorial Sites of Conflict, (2024).
Textilia
Digital and print
Textilia, Een pleidooi voor diversiteit en inclusiviteit in de mode, media en retail, (2025)
Textilia, De Modebeurs in Transitie: van transactie naar interactie, (2025).
Textilia, Gen Z: balancerend tussen microtrends en morele keuzes, (2025).
Schoenvisie (Textilia), Webshops in transitie binnen een een fluïde retailwereld, (2025).
Schoenvisie (Textilia), Mode icoon De Tabi, (2025).
Textilia, De new wave: hoe Gen Z het retail-landschap heruitvindt, (2026).
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Textilia, Van Visitekaartje naar Verbinding: Het Hedendaagse Netwerken, (2026).
Textilia, Échte duurzaamheid is geen buzzword maar een systeemvraag, (2026).
Textilia, Kortingen zonder einde: wie behaalt het echt voordeel?, (2026).
PORTAL 001
Textiel Plus Magazine
Digital
Textiel Plus, José Ras en haar Sous-vêtements, een verlangen voorbij functionaliteit, (2024).
Textiel Plus, Diana Yevtukh borduurt steken van hoop in bomen en muren, (2024).
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Textiel Plus, De Gebreide Viering van Vrouwelijkheid van Evelyn Politzer, (2024).
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Textiel Plus, Inger Odgaard breit tussen ruimte en leegte door, (2024).
Textiel Plus, SOFT! De helende kracht van textiel bij Gallery Rademakers, (2024).
Textiel Plus, Melissa Calderón’s Borduursels: Bewaarders van Historische en Gemeenschapsverhalen, (2024).
Textiel Plus, Marthe Koetsiers zoektocht naar materiële wijsheid, (2025).
Textiel Plus, De bezielde wol van Afra Hartog, (2025).
Textiel Plus, Auteur Karmen op Reis in Japan, (2025).
Textiel Plus, De kimono: de textiele culturele identiteit van Japan, (2025).
Textiel Plus, Marthe Koetsiers zoektocht naar materiële wijsheid, (2025).
#273
Aïcha Filali: Van Decoratief Tapijt Tot Ecokritiek in Jute, (2025).
#273
 Beth Williams: Composteerbare textiel als pleidooi voor een inclusieve toekomst, (2025).
#273
Cathy Brickhill: De perfectie van natuurlijke imperfectie, (2025).
#272
Linn Rebekka Åmo: Verbonden met de natuur, laag voor laag, draad voor draad, (2025).
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#272
 Fanny Allié: Stoffen met een verleden, bekeken met een nieuwe blik, (2025).
#272
Shradha Kochhar: Gebreide essays over vreugde, geweld en migratie, (2025).
#271
Stefanie Neuner: Quilts van Moederliefde en Autisme, (2025).
#271
 Carolina Fuentealba Baldini: Theatrale gestiek gevangen in stof, (2025).
#271
Maya Skarzenski: Draad en verfstreken springen in het oog, (2025).
#270 Maria Motyleva: Verhalen over vrouwelijk kwetsbaarheid en kracht, (2024).
#270 Kaylie Kaitschuck: Toeval herinneringen en symboliek in borduurwerk, (2024).
#269 Textiel Plus Magazine, Inger Odgaard breit tussen ruimte en leegte door, (2024).
Slanted Magazine
Slanted Magazine #44 Type Fashion, Hijacking the Supporter’s scarf: Commodifying Identity and the Cultural Jamming of Consumer Culture, (2024).
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Simulacrum
Simulacrum, Essay, Ejaculations of the Mouth: Spitting as a Disposition of Fragile Masculinity, (2025).
Production- Events​
As event producer, I was responsible for venue hire at Het Nieuwe Instituut for external organisations such as the European Cultural Foundation, Rijksbouwmeester, the Rotterdam District Court, Erasmus MC, Deltares, the Royal Institute of Dutch Architects (BNA), and the Municipality of Rotterdam.
In addition, I produced the institute’s public programme, including book launches, symposia, and debates (see links below).
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Production - Education​
As Education Coordinator at the Fashion for Good Museum, I coordinated the development and rollout of the organisation’s first educational programmes across primary, secondary, and higher education. Programmes developed:
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The Journey of a T-shirt for primary education
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Take Action Programme for secondary education
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Experience tours (digital and on-site) for universities
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Kids Innovator Lab birthday party
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Scavenger Hunt & Material Bingo
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Exhibition-related thematic workshops