DESIGNER ON THE RISE: Peter Nguyen
With a nod from famed fashion journalist Cathy Horyn as an “Academy of Art standout student” and a CFDA 2010 award under his belt, Peter Nguyen has created a stir in the fashion industry. Watch out for his collection to walk the runway at the upcoming Vancouver Fashion Week.
FrontRowMag.com: What does fashion design mean to you?
Peter Nguyen: Fashion design means fulfilling a purpose. I always strive to ensure that every detail and every seam has a purpose, whether it is functional or creating a silhouette that tells a story. I always keep in mind that the most important things in design are proportion and the cut of the garment. And that each garment has integrity.
FRM: Who or what do you find inspiring?
PN: I find it really inspiring to play with the dichotomy that separates masculinity and femininity. I find that something really interesting happens when I adapt concepts behind menswear into women’s wear. I also find myself relying on how fabric drapes and moves on a body for inspiration, because it often influences the way I construct or design a garment. When I actually sit down and reflect on a sketch or garment, I also allow concepts and ideas of mid-century modern architecture and the Bauhaus style to subconsciously creep into my work. I think it’s fair to say that I am inspired on a daily basis by how people dress and how their environment can influence their choices.
FRM: Was the playful androgyny with fashion silhouettes the intention of your latest collection?
PN: That was exactly what I was going for. The idea for the collection stemmed from the process of men’s tailoring, and then playing with the lines and angles to see how they can relate to and flatter a woman’s body. I was inspired by silhouettes that mix masculine angels and sharp lines with feminine curves and fabrications. I further developed this idea of play between the masculine and feminine by including soft tailoring, where I wanted to create very structural pieces with feminine curves. I also included sensual fabrics like silk georgette and organza with strong angled seams with masculine fabrics, like twill and broadcloth. In the end, the collection became what I wanted to achieve—an understated aesthetic that is structured, yet light and airy.
FRM: What did it mean to you to win the Council of Fashion Designers of America 2010 Scholarship award?
PN: I was so grateful to win the CFDA 2010 Scholarship. It provided the means for me to create my graduate collection without compromising on what I envisioned. Beyond just the financial prize, winning the scholarship validated my point of view, which I had been nurturing since I had started my CFDA project, and continued to grow throughout my senior year and into my graduate collection. It meant a lot to be recognized by the same organization that chooses the winners of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and the CFDA awards.
FRM: Is there a 2012 collection in the works? What can we expect?
PN: There is a Fall 2012 collection in the works, and I am currently working to finalize the 2012 spring collection. I am moving to Paris in September for one year and I am excited to see how the city will influence my collections, aesthetic and development. Right now, though, I plan on bringing more knitwear pieces into future collections.
Photography by Samantha Wolov.
