A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, Peter graduated from the Parsons School of Design in 1982, where he was named Designer of the Year and awarded the Oscar de la Renta Gold Thimble.

Moving to Europe after graduation, he designed for Laura Biagiotti in Rome, and Christian Dior in Paris. Returning to New York in 1985, Peter joined sportswear designer Gloria Sachs, then went on to direct design at Carolyne Roehm for five years, before pioneering the first women’s collection for Joseph Abboud in 1991. He joined Donna Karan New York as Senior Design Director of women’s collection and accessories in 1993, where he remained for four years. In 1997, Peter was named Creative Director of Cerruti Arte, Paris, where he successfully redefined the women’s luxury brand for five years. He returned to Donna Karan New York as Creative Director in 2002, until the LVMH owned brand was closed in 2015. In addition to his work in fashion, Speliopoulos has created costumes for opera and modern ballet, collaborating with Director/Choreographers Karole Armitage and Luca Veggetti. These creative partnerships have fostered over thirty international productions, and the work continues today.

Peter Speliopoulos, the founder of Peter Speliopoulos Projects, continues his passion for design in fashion and costume, has created a home objects collection, and works as a ceramic artist.

Speliopoulos has served on the Board of the International Folk Art Market, Santa Fe, since 2012, and as a member of the Board of Armitage Gone! Dance! since 2005. He is a co-founder of Fashion Centered, since 2013, an annual event benefiting Manhattan’s LGBT Center, continuing his work as a philanthropist and activist.