David Goodrowe

When it comes to shaping the future of design, the Savannah College of Art and Design is on the cutting edge, and David Goodrowe is holding the golden shears. As he mentally prepares to head to Manhattan—where he’ll meet with industry veterans to discuss trends in fashion, retail and technology—his students are scoring front-row seats in the school’s dining center, “The Hub,” to catch Louis Vuitton’s spring/summer collections streaming live between classes.

As Associate Dean, School of Design of SCAD Atlanta, Goodrowe has time to teach just one course: The Business of Fashion. As the former president and owner of luxury womenswear line David Rodriguez, he serves as an incomparable source for introducing students to cross-functional careers in fashion, business and marketing. One can only imagine that he instructs with Top Design- and Project Runway-like effectiveness.

Goodrowe may have spent more than 12 years staking his claim in New York City, but the Atlanta native has never underestimated the far reach of this Southern city’s impeccable tastemakers, from Suzanne Kasler (the nationally acclaimed interior designer who’s met with much commercial success, most recently with Ballard Designs) to Christine Eisner (Goodrowe sees lifestyle design as the wave of the future).

Although SCAD scores star power from the likes of Vogue editor André Leon Talley and has expanded its reach exponentially thanks to campuses in Hong Kong and cyberspace, Goodrowe stays grounded—and focused—on a local level, too. He singlehandedly initiated Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s Fashion Advisory Council, which coordinated the city’s efforts for the worldwide Fashion’s Night Out event in September.

What he’s most psyched about now, though, is rolling out the red carpet for fashion designer Rachel Roy, who will mentor students one-on-one throughout the 2010-2011 school year thanks to SCAD Atlanta’s innovative Style Lab program. It was the same program that last year brought about one of Goodrowe’s proudest moments—a SCAD Atlanta valedictorian, Maken Imcha, shining through critiques by Venezuelan fashion designer Angel Sanchez and getting hired on full-time in the process.

It’s experiences like these that teach students the value of collaboration, of risks and rewards. And speaking of risks, what’s the shape of things to come? In 2011, Goodrowe predicts a transition from safe to exuberant, from comfort to emotion, with an emphasis on strong shapes, textures and colors as well as an influx of technology into our homes and our wardrobes.

The Midtown flagship location of the Atlanta-based Fab’rik boutique, which carries both women’s and men’s fashions, is one of his favorite places to shop for unique clothing and accessories. Fab’rik image: PGP Images Inc., Philip Grossman.

At the office…I always wear a jacket and tie, as we like to show students how to portray professionalism through attire.
When I’m not working, I wear…outrageous colors and patterns; think Paul Smith and Etro.
My perfect lunch companion is…anyone who has a good idea and can hold my attention.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is…“Fear is nothing but displaced creativity.”
If I could have been the fashion police today, I would have banned…clothes that are too tight.
My sense of style is best described as…random and unexpected.
My idea of pure bliss is…watching the sunset over Hanalei’s Bay in Kauai and seeing the sea turtles as low tide hits.
My greatest extravagance is…my Louis Vuitton valise. It’s an iconic piece that I’ll have forever to take me on all of life’s adventures. And lots of shoes, so I look great in the process.
I get my best inspiration from…connections with people, especially my incredibly talented students. And nature, of course.
My favorite places to shop are…Jeffrey, Bill Hallman Studio, Drew Lewis, Fab’rik, Kai Lin Art, Environment and Verde Home.
My design aesthetic is best described as…individualized expressions: modern pop meets traditional.
My home reflects…a place where creativity is not restricted by rules of design.
The first thing I see when I wake up is…the sunrise over Piedmont Park from one side and the Atlanta skyline from the other.
My signature colors are…yellow and orange.
My fashion or design icons are…Ian Schrager, Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan, Suzanne Kasler, Phoebe Howard and Christine Eisner for design. Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior for fashion.
The one thing I can’t live without is…alone time to recharge my batteries.
My favorite museum is…the Guggenheim in New York. I’m really looking forward to “The Great Upheaval” exhibition in February.
If I could have been anyone in history, it would be…Leonardo da Vinci.
The person I look up to most is…my mom. She is my mentor, my go-to person for advice on anything.
My favorite way to entertain at home is…take-out from Metrofresh or Whole Foods. Without the stress of cooking, I can truly enjoy my company.
The one place in Atlanta I always take guests is…through Piedmont Park and then to the Westside where we’ll grab a bite to eat at Abattoir or JCT Kitchen. Then, I take them to Staceage for inspirational fabrics and patterns.
The place I love to travel to most is…Hawaii. I visit with my brother and his family, fly into the island of Kauai and take in the beautiful scenery. 
What most people don't know about me is…I love colored antique glass and I am passionate about animals.
Every home needs…pets, a place for serenity and a really big chandelier.
The car I drive is…“Sunny,” my yellow Volkswagen Beetle.
My proudest professional moment came when…I became Associate Dean, School of Design of SCAD Atlanta.
My guiltiest pleasure is…red velvet cake from A Piece of Cake in Buckhead.
The items I won’t leave home without are…great shoes and a sense of peace.
Fashion in the Southeast is…invitation-only.
Design in the Southeast is…the best-kept secret.

Piedmont Park image: Piedmont Park Conservancy.

 MY FAVORITE THINGS 
Favorite table linens: Burlap to the floor with a colorful dupioni silk that I change out every season; it’s rustic and elegant
Favorite furniture style: Midcentury modern
Favorite dinnerware: I like to mix it up—Vitra flatware and Ben Morris Fashion Plates from Shop SCAD
Favorite architectural style: Art Deco
Favorite flower: Sunflower
Favorite music: Blues and jazz, such as Nina Simone and Miles Davis—music from the soul 
Favorite artisanal food: Strong cheeses like gouda, blue cheese and parmesan
Favorite artists: Locally, Tommy Moss; classic, Picasso and Monet