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behind the seamsWhile most of his fifth-grade peers aspired to be firefighters and teach-

ers, Peter Som knew he was destined to design. Today, fashionistas

with a flair for all things luxurious and modern cannot get enough of

his clothing. Brilliant caught up with this fall’s it designer as he pre-

pared for Fashion Week and revealed the best new looks of the season.

AMBER EllioTT

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“I’ve always enjoyed sketching—especially women—then one day I found a copy of French Vogue and just knew I was going to be a designer,” Peter Som recalls. “It was the early 1980s and it was a great time for fashion.” Influenced by his parents, who are both archi-tects, along with the easy, relaxed sophistication of San Francisco, California-bred Som developed what he calls a keen eye for design.

“My parents were modernists; they shared an eye for clean lines and we always had great furniture in the house,” he shares. Although his heritage is not overtly present in his work, Som incorporates subtle Asian touches in the details. “It’s not like I put kimono dragons on skirts or anything,” he jokes. “But, the delicate sensibility and appre-ciation for composition and function are definitely there.” So is his undeniable talent. Som attended Connecticut College before studying at the revered Parsons School of Design in New York where he was awarded the Golden Thimble by fellow designer and style maven Isaac Mizrahi. In pursuit of perfecting his craft, Som ap-prenticed with the crème-de-la-crème of modern American sports-wear: Calvin Klein and Michael Kors. “I was an intern for them while I was still just a student,” Som explains. “That’s where I learned the ins and outs of the business.” Since his debut spring collection at

3 8 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8 w w w . b r i l l i a n t m a g a z i n e . c o m

Bryant Park in 2001, he has captured the attention of the fashion elite including Vogue’s editor-at-large, Andre Leon Talley, who re-cently hailed the designer valedictorian of his generational class. Young Hollywood most definitely agrees. Frequent front-row onlook-ers and clients include Scarlett Johansson, Mandy Moore, and Ca-milla Belle. The budding design-er’s dedicated following encompasses more than celebrities, too. “Modern women today lead multi-faceted lives,” Som says. “They’re mothers and they work and travel; they need functional clothes that are effortless.” Everyday clients coveting simple elegance and luxury line up for the latest Peter Som creations. “Women who wear my clothes carry themselves with a certain level of con-fidence and have a roman-ticism about them,” he en-thuses. “When designing, my aim is to make her feel more beautiful.” His fall 2008 collection is no ex-ception. Taking inspiration from the late pop culture photographer Diane Ar-bus’ images of teenagers in New York City during the 1960s, the line is decidedly quirky but still carries the Som feminine signature. “I used a lot of multi-layer organza and tulle to make the clothes feel light as air,” Som says. From muted plaid to oversized fur collars and pencil skirts, the collec-tion is a mature interpre-tation of girly frocks from past looks. Last season’s florals are reinvigorated when paired with high-waisted skirts and trousers accented by layered skinny leather belts cinched to create the perfect lady-like silhouette. “I’m pretty con-tent with the direction fashion is heading right now,” Som informs. “As long as we don’t see anymore low-rise jeans; I think we’ve all moved past that.” Those with more pragmatic taste can satisfy their craving for streamlined style at Bill Blass, where Som was appointed creative di-

rector of the women’s division last year. “The aesthetic is really root-ed in classic American sportswear and sensibility, much like Blass himself, but with a playful wink and nudge,” he muses. Som’s first collection for the iconic fashion house debuted pre-fall 2008. The line pays homage to the late designer’s sketchbook circa 1969-1970

with strong menswear styles in beautiful shades of gray and jewel tones on dramatic shapes. Aficionados of the Peter Som “ethereal” look and longtime Bill Blass en-thusiasts alike applaud his imaginative reinvention of a timeless vision. Fortunately for Som’s Texan devotees, the de-signer is scheduled to make an appearance at Fashion in the Park in Dallas next month, plus his latest col-lections can always be found at Neiman Marcus. “Texas women are fabu-lous!” he exclaims. “They have fun with fashion, and they love to dress up.” Es-pecially when Peter Som is behind the styling. At a Bellaire Hotel luncheon in L.A. produced by Brilliant and P.R. firm Harrison-Shriftman featured in a 2007 issue of Brilliant, Som dressed the lady guests for the occasion. “Peter is chic, timeless, and the perfect fit,” enthuses Brilliant’s life-style editor and friend of Som, Lara Shriftman. “He knows how to dress any woman.” Over the last decade, Som has experienced ac-claim from his peers, too. Twice nominated for the Council of Fashion Design-ers of America’s Swarovs-ki Perry Ellis Award for Emerging Talent and now one of the hottest runway shows, Som’s upcoming spring 2009 line is all about

the journey. “This collection really showcases the evolution of the last couple of seasons, “ Som reveals. “There is a sexier edge to the clothing, but it still has the same lightness.” The fashion world ea-gerly awaits future work from the promising designer; it is sure to be what everyone will be talking about, and wearing. b

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