LUXURIA MIHI IUS EST
Stéphane Houy-Towner is a binational curator, consultant, and lecturer based in New York City.
About
As curator, consultant, and lecturer, Stéphane Houy-Towner has collaborated with leading cultural institutions on innovative projects alongside fashion labels, filmmakers, and museums.
A Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum/Parsons graduate, he served 14 years as special projects researcher at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's The Costume Institute. There, he liaised with external researchers, writers, scholars, auction houses, and curators, including American and European fashion houses on ready-to-wear and haute couture research. His expertise established him as departmental specialist in menswear and the French luxury goods sector, from the eighteenth century to present.
He notably curated Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Barrel Apfel Collection.
Services
Creative Consulting & Design Research Coordination
Historically informed turn-key research and strategic trend analyses of intellectual, creative, and practical dimensions in the global luxury goods sector.
Brand Identity
Houy-Towner uncovers and leverages brand history to define distinguishing core values. These shape resonant identities, unique intellectual property (IP), and content narratives that propel brands forward.
Curatorial Consulting and Design Education
Concept and vision consulting for museums and institutions: developing exhibitions, catalogues, and related educational programs.
Selected Clients & Collaborators
The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Zorya Fine Art - Christian Dior Couture - Dervis-Hoffman Historical Resources - Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture - Brooklyn College - Saga Furs of Scandinavia - Studio Repetto - The Andy Warhol Museum - FurInsider - Parsons The New School for Design - Georg Jensen - Alyce Paris - Badgley Mischka China
