This is a good one.  We had the absolute pleasure to speak with an iconic fashion figure…Simon Collins.  As Dean of the School of Fashion at Parsons since 2008, Simon has launched successful collaborations with Louis Vuitton, Kering, InStyle.com, Coach (US), MCM (Korea), Li Ning (China), Christian Louboutin (Paris), Allen Edmonds (US), IRIS (Italy) and many others.  The School of Fashion is now a fixture on the New York Fashion Week runway and internationally, in particular China, Brazil, Italy and France.  Collins’ leadership has made the annual Parsons Fashion Benefit a significant New York fashion industry event raising millions in scholarships each year.  Identified as one of the essential voices of global fashion by The Business of Fashion 500 and listed as one of the top 100 Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company Collins continues to explore and challenge our understanding creative thinking.  Please enjoy our chat with Simon…

Tell us about your kids. What’s it like being a Dad?

Totally the best thing ever in the world. There’s this odd space in my life before I was a Dad and I honestly can’t think how I filled in my time and what was the point of it. Then my daughter came along and now I don’t have a spare second and I don’t want one.

Talk to us about your parenting style.

Make my daughter laugh, keep her happy and away from all unpleasantness. Tell her bad things exist in the world and explain right and wrong. Get her to say please and thank you at all times. Make her laugh again. Make her the happiest kid I possibly can. Let her make smart decisions because one day me and her Mum won’t be there to guide her.

What’s the one thing you cannot live without as a Dad?

Time with my girl. Nothing else matters. No toys, no games, nothing else. Easy.

It’s been an amazing ride for you as the Dean of Fashion at Parsons. What’s next for the ‘House of Collins’?

I have simple desires, to be honest I’ll be happy with Total World Domination. I am working with a selection of global fashion and media related companies and I’m finding ways for more people to work together and create great things. Making television shows in China, writing articles in Europe, books in the US, planning events globally, trying to create value wherever I find myself. Getting away with it.

What style fashion tips do you have for all Hip Daddys?

You’re not Hip. Sorry. Fact. Just don’t be embarrassing. Stick to a simple uniform as though you were in the early stages of dating the girl of your dreams because in some ways you are. Be understated and cool at all times. Slightly better dressed than all the other dads around you. And never ever let your guard down because your kid will have you in a flash.

What style fashion tips for kids do you have for all Hip Daddys?

All dads know that once the kid knows there’s a decision to be made they will wear whatever the hell they want. I like to try and ensure my girl is mainly covered up when she leaves the house. I don’t buy awful clothes so she can’t go too far wrong. If she’s warm and protected then we’re all good.

We hear you are a DJ too. What’s on your playlist these days?

Right now I’m fascinated by Biggie mash-ups. Because in the end all of life’s a mash-up isn’t it?

For more on Simon, please follow him on twitter here and instagram here.  And check out his book at www.ParsonsFashion30.com.

cover credit: evaan.ca

credit below:  www.siljamagg.com