For his debut collection on Monday, Victor Li hopes to steer menswear in a new direction. With his designs, the Parsons School of Design alum presents an alternative to the current streetwear craze via elevated silhouettes with a casual sensibility. Created for what Li calls a “new breed of gentlemen,” the lineup will feature modern suiting and outerwear with artistic renderings and bold prints.
Born in the U.S. and raised in China, Li takes a global perspective to design: his clothes are produced in New York, but he sources the fabrics from around the world.
With fellow designer Claudia Li as his Artistic Director, he is ready to make a name for himself in the industry.
We sat down with the emerging designer for an exclusive preview of his upcoming NYFW: Men’s collection, and to hear more about the inspiration for the line and overall menswear philosophy.
Can you tell us about your background and why you decided to pursue a career in fashion?
I was born in U.S. but grew up in China. I was very into the arts, and started taking drawing classes when I was a child. I knew I would do something art-related in my future career but wasn’t sure if it would be as an artist or a designer. I came back to the U.S. in my junior year of high school and started to narrow my focus. I attended the pre-college fashion design program at Parsons and an art program at Cooper Union which confirmed my love for design. I later received my Bachelor of Fine Arts from Parsons.
How would you describe your brand and fashion philosophy?
My brand is for the new breed of gentleman. I put value in attention to detail, quality and craftsmanship in every garment. I don’t necessarily follow trends as I design for a particular lifestyle I want to convey.
What sets your brand apart? What do you hope it brings to fashion?
I design for myself, and those who can appreciate feeling comfortable in high quality clothing –men who appreciate a garment, and the details within it like our carefully sourced Italian and Japanese fabrics. I want to give a fresh perspective on what some of the young generation wants to wear aside from their everyday streetwear.
What was the inspiration behind your upcoming NYFW: Men’s show?
Since this is my first collection, it is very personal to me, and I was designing for my own closet. I travel quite a bit and I wanted this first collection to be filled with key pieces that work well for that lifestyle –pieces I would pack and wear on a summer trip along the Italian Riviera. Practical pieces but a little more dreamy than traditional.
Where do you see your brand in five years time? Are there any goals you hope to achieve?
Business and design are both equally important for me. I hope to create a culture of men who will appreciate and enjoy my work and my hope is to continue to build on that with each collection. In five years, we’re hoping to have a loyal customer base around the world who is shopping with us season after season.
