Mr. LUCAS MAETHGER

FRANCE

Lucas Maethger is a visionary fashion design educator, researcher, and industry disruptor whose work challenges conventional thinking and advances new possibilities for the future of fashion. His concept of “De-Signing the Future of Fashion” invites critical reflection, systemic awareness, and meaningful transformation across both industry and academia.
Appointed Head of Fashion Design at Paris College of Art in 2023, Lucas oversees the BFA in Fashion Design and the forward-looking MA in Critical Fashion Practice, launching in Fall 2026. His leadership integrates design innovation, systemic critique, and sustainability-driven methodologies. Previously, he spent six years as a full-time professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in the United States and taught at Parsons Paris, with ongoing appointments at L’Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués in Paris and Pforzheim University in Germany.
With 14 years of experience in luxury and fast-fashion sectors - including roles as Design Manager or Collection Manager at Calvin Klein, Dirk Bikkembergs, Antonio Miró, and Celio - Lucas brings a nuanced understanding of industry realities into his teaching and research. His background also includes trend forecasting with Nelly Rodi, Promostyl, and White Sky, as well as leading his own label, L&A Maethger, showcased in Paris, Florence, and Berlin.
A fashion activist and filmmaker, Lucas uses fashion film as a platform to critique the industry’s absurdities and emotional dynamics. His films, including NF5M and SENZA DADA, have been officially selected for Fashion Film Festivals in Paris, Istanbul, Miami, Mexico City, and beyond. His critical perspectives have been featured at international summits such as the Big Do / Fashion & Textile 2030 in Sweden and The Digital Multilogue in Berlin.