by Lexie Tiongson, Originally Published in SOMA Magazine
Representing androgyny, Peter Loc Tan Nguyen’s collection defines the portrayal of masculinity and femininity brought into several pieces. Effortless, sophisticated, and understated are just a few words to describe the collection. As a recent graduate from Academy of Art University with a degree in both Fashion Design and Knitwear, Nguyen combines the two styles together to make a seemingly contemporary collection. To add a unique touch to his garments, Nguyen mounted knitwear pieces onto organza to make a more structural and sculptural feel. His purpose was to bring a new perspective to knitwear. Most of the textiles he used were made with an industrial machine to make a fine knit so that the knitwear aspect is disguised.
Some of his most memorable pieces include fine lines and structural cuts that convey the combination of masculinity and femininity he wishes is perceived from his inspiration of menswear. With a women’s ready-to-wear collection, Nguyen admits that he purposely used the construction of menswear and applied it in his designs.
“I wanted to explore what was inside of a menswear garment and translate it into a womenswear garment to play with masculinity but with feminine curves and fabrication,” Nguyen explains. With this aspect, his pieces definitely portray a balance of the two opposite characterizations. Nguyen believes that making his collection not so outrageous and expected distinguishes the feel and understanding of his fashion designs.
“I wanted to make a classic garment, but a piece that is simple and just illustrates what clothes are,” Nguyen articulates. In this mindset, his designs truly epitomize androgyny, making it something worthwhile, timeless and classic.
Nguyen is currently studying in Paris at Studio Berçot through Academy of Art University’s Sister City Scholarship Exchange. In 2010, he was the first place Council of Fashion Designers of America’s (CFDA) $10,000 Scholarship recipient. The money was used to fund his senior collection at Academy of Art University, which was shown at his graduate fashion show this past May. His collection was also just recently showcased at Vancouver Fashion Week as a part of a sponsorship through Vancouver Fashion Week’s producer Jamal Abdourahman.Hoping to stay in Europe for a few more years, Nguyen wants to see all parts of fashion, art and design, and eventually come back to San Francisco to establish his label. “As a designer, my goal is to express my perspective on fashion and design,” Nguyen concludes.
Photography by Randy Brooke
- Lexie Tiongson interns for Stipple as a Fashion & Style Specialist researching celebrity fashion trends. She has also had editorial internships at Shojo Beat Magazine, NOVO Magazine and The Sacramento Press. She currently writes for several magazines including Astonish Magazine, We The Urban Magazine and UniversityChic.com, and is a new contributing writer for SFFAMA. Lexie majored in journalism and fashion at San Francisco State University and currently attends Academy of Art University studying fashion journalism and visual merchandising.
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