We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nico Perez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nico below.
Nico, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
Q: What’s the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
A: I would say, the “Tonicó” collection. The Tonicó Collection was a collaboration between Chicago star “Miss Toto” and I. We partnered up to create a line of inclusive fashion during pride month. We had an elite cast of icons, one being my best friend Frank “Frankie” Reyna. We flew from TX to Chicago to film the collection over a 3-day period, where we had total creative control. This was also my first ever directorial debut. To this day, it’s the most fun i’ve had on a project as a designer or artist.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Q: Can you please tell our readers about yourself, how you got into your industry?
A:I am a 24 year old self-taught evening wear designer. My mom likes to tell stories about how as a child I was often reprimanded for always drawing in class. Born and raised South TX, I have always been inspired by my experiences there. Overall as a brand we’re always striving to empower black and brown voices in fashion through brand innovation. This dream was self actualized, because at the time I didn’t know what was ahead of me. A lot of people actually don’t know this about me but I was accepted to 3 prestigious fashion institutions after high school. My decision to attend would be made for me though, because unfortunately I couldn’t afford tuition even with scholarships. That’s when I began buying my own fabric and teaching myself the skills I have now. Through all of those experiences came opportunity.
Q: What type of works do you create? What sets you apart from other designers?
A: In a saturated world of fast fashion the brand offers a one-of-a-kind experience to receive a one-of-a-kind garment. Throughout this process the client is able to be apart of the construction experience from start to finish (from sketch, to fabric testing, to sample fitting, to alterations.) I like to make it as collaborative as possible. Not only for the wearer but everyone involved. As kids we played ball gown dress up because we couldn’t afford garments and weren’t allowed to be in those spaces. As a person of color, I was conditioned to believe I didn’t deserve opulence, so this is also my response to that.
Q: What are you most proud of? What do you wants people to know about you?
A: I’m most proud of myself being able to be the role model I needed as a kid. By putting myself in spaces where kids like me don’t get to be placed such as the CFDAs, Fashion week, etc. I’m put into these elite societal spaces not because of who I am but because of what I do. I want people to know that I am a product of those who came before me. Their biggest dreams come true. They all wanted a better future for the generations that came after them. I don’t even think my grandmother ever expected the magnitude of success that would come from one of her own.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
A: A major driving force behind the brand is our mission to bring visibility to underrepresented artists in an industry where representation has been lacking. Whether it be through the models, artists, or photographers who shoot the campaign. Showcasing people who look like me on every project and editorial cover that we do is important to the brand. Striving to ensure proper representation is how I try to do my part in possibly paving the way for somebody who also looks just like me. Who is coming up or has come up. My way of trying to leave it (industry) in better conditions than how we found it. I think representation for black and brown voices, tejano voices, has always just been important to me. Our ability to remain inclusive on and off the runway as well.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A: That nobody has any interest in what you’re doing unless you’re benefitting or pissing them off. Ultimately I learned that from trying to people please and never feeling happy even if those people did. It became very much a feeling of “if i’m not happy whats the point?” When I got to that place, designing from there, the work just got better. In retrospect I would say that point of personal turmoil sort of came at the right time. During a time when I was struggling creatively, and still trying to make everyone, inside or outside the brand, happy. This was the turning point design wise – it all started with transparency. Being transparent with myself has allowed me to thrive. Accepting how much power I have in making others happy but ultimately focusing on what makes me happy. When I stopped creating dresses that I thought people wanted to see is when the fashion became more me. You can even see the metamorphosis over collections, for example the pink and yellow dresses from 3 seasons ago! As opposed to the AW/21 “Raute” collection – present, you can really see how i’ve stepped into myself. I’ve been in this industry for 10 years and I feel like i’ve finally found myself, and with that has come the success.
Contact Info:
- Website: nicocollective.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tejanico/
Image Credits
Shot by @Gabesuniverse Make up by @awhjasmin Muses: @adedicadtedevil @ashleeebarb
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