Zeng Peng (left) walks the runway | Photo Frazer Harrison Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Recent Art Institute of Vancouver graduate Zong Peng was one of 12 young fashion designers chosen to be featured in the Art Institutes fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2015.

After graduating from high school, Peng says that he felt lost and unsure of what his post-secondary plans were. He became interested in the fashion design diploma program at the Art Institute of Vancouver after attending an info session and school tour there. Peng felt that the program could only teach him so much though, and there was a need to self-study to further his knowledge in fashion design.

“My personal work is about celebrating freedom in our time,” says Peng, who is originally from China. “Now it is legal to wear whatever you want compared to in the past.”

A new experience

Prior to enrolling in the fashion design program, Peng had limited interest in fashion design, but through the program, he learned to make his own clothes and the subject grew on him. He describes his personal style as a bit of health goth and minimalism.

“I’m drawn to designers with a strong point of view because different designers have different ideas and visiting those ideas is always inspiring,” says 21-year-old Peng.

His collection for the Art Institutes fashion show is called No Die Set. The six-piece collection took him six months to complete, which was longer than his allotted time of three months for the project. However, he says that his teacher supported and trusted him and allowed an extension for his project.

The theme of his project is to capture the feeling of experiencing something for the first time.

“The idea behind the collection is to represent a child’s carefree attitude,” explains Peng. “When you first discover something new, you feel excited, but you also feel scared and confused.”

All of the clothing in the collection is composed of circular and rectangular pattern pieces, and everything is sewn by hand. Images and colours from the playground are utilized to create the vibe. Loose threads, yarn and felt fabrics are also a part of this distinctive look. Some of the looks are accessorized with headdresses and face coverings.

Peng says that draping and designing took the longest, while experimenting with the fabric and choosing the colours were the toughest parts.

An ongoing education

According to Peng, of all the Art Institutes schools in North America, about 20 have a fashion design program and each program can submit the design collections of three students. Panelists at the Art Institute of New York then select the designs of 12 students to be featured in the fashion show.

Now that his diploma program is complete, Peng is in the process of assembling his portfolio and hopes to start his career in fashion design. As a new grad, he says he is still not ready to work with big brands yet, but he is excited about the possibility of working in other countries. In addition, he says he will also pursue a degree program in fashion design as well to further his knowledge.

Peng is proud to have made his ideas come to life in his first collection.

“Making clothes always interests me; I just love to do it without question,” he says.

Peng’s work will be on display at the Art Institute of Vancouver’s fashion show on March 24. The show will feature the works of 22 graduating fashion design students along with culinary, film and fashion marketing students.

For more information, please visit www.picatic.com/AiV2015FashionShow.