Fluid Elegance

Inspired by all things beautiful, Los Angeles-based Filipino designer Puey Quiñones reveals what stimulates his creative mind the most

Puey Quiñones talks to Tatler about what is behind those amazingly beautiful fashion creations that have brought him international recognition

The works of Puey Quiñones are avant-garde, marked by flowy lines that resonate femininity and a timeless appeal. In 2020, Sharon Takeda, the senior curator and head of the department of costumes and textiles at the famed Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), bought one of his creations to be permanently included in the LACMA costume collection. The now iconic Quiñones piece, a mini dress with draped pouf sleeves made of printed silk gazaar in black and white, stands alongside the works of fashion legends such as Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen and Madame Gres.

“I like monastic silhouettes and a play on draping,” Quiñones further defines his style.

His knowledge and talent in draping, embroidery and beadwork are paired with inspirations drawn from design icons such as the Spanish fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, Swiss-French architect and urban planner Le Corbusier and German-French sculptor Jean Arp; their works echo one thing in common: fluid forms.

“Beautiful things inspire me. Forms found in nature, paintings, sculpture, music and architecture,” elaborates the fashion designer. “[I also get inspired by] my mentors in fashion,” he adds, thankful for the opportunity to have worked with Dennis Lustico and Lulu Tan-Gan—two prominent names in the Philippine fashion scene. Other influences include the flamboyant costume designs of Edith Head, the famous Richard Avedon’s 1955 photograph of model Dovima in an evening dress by Dior and Edward Steichen’s iconic image of Gloria Swanson.

Quiñones is fortunate to have travelled the world over; it is also on these trips that he has seen things that further stimulated his creativity. “Paris is definitely my favourite city. I love The Louvre Museum,” he shares. In his second home Los Angeles, he is mesmerised by the J Paul Getty Museum, which houses a spectacular array of European artworks gathered globally. He also enjoys the soothing music of Shirley Bassey and psychological thriller films such as Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.

So where will Quiñones take his designs soon? “We’ve been very busy developing new products from fashion to home for our e-commerce. I am also launching my summer collection online,” he unveils.