Corridor40

Some might consider him a Renaissance man; others, a creative genius. Either way, Los Angeles-based KVN designer and editor in chief of NO15 Magazine Kevin Nguyen is known as a young man with big vision. His recently-launched magazine is the hybrid love child of his passions for creating beautiful clothes and incorporating them into a medium that can be worshiped by fashion enthusiasts around the globe. Included are breathtaking editorials that both feature Kevin’s designs and indulge his creative, energetic spirit. Recently, Kevin opened up to Corridor40 about his latest fashion endeavors, and exactly what goes on behind closed doors during his unorthodox creative process.

C40. Tell me about your design background. Who or what inspired you to start making clothes? Has the skill come naturally, or have you had formal training?

KN. I picked up sewing when I was really young, from watching my aunt. I would always get babysat at my aunt’s sewing productions company while my parents went to work.  Being around so many loud machines and people sewing, I sort of just picked it up by watching.

C40. Who are some of your biggest design influences? Can you tell me about your creative process, from dreaming up a dress to turning out a finished product?

KN. I very much respect Alexander McQueen’s and John Galliano’s work. Their shows are so beautiful and eclectic.

I get my inspiration from really random things—buildings, plants, books, furniture, etc. It sounds very weird, but I always match what I find inspiration in with a song; it helps me visualize my design a lot better, because I’m not just “seeing” my inspiration, but I’m hearing it, as well.  I’ll play a song really loud, lock myself in my room and sing to it, sew, take a break, sing, sew, run around my room, dance to the song, sew, sing, repeat. It’s really embarrassing, and I hope no one will ever watch me during my process of sewing, but it gets the job done!

When I sew, I like to work backwards—again, as weird as that may sound. I can never sketch out a design first, because my designs are constantly changing until I literally sew the last thread into whatever I am making. After I get my inspiration, I start off by finding the perfect fabric, then I throw it on the mannequin, sew it together and draw a sketch only if I need to.

C40. You are also the editor in chief of fashion magazine NO15. How has your position within the magazine industry influenced your clothing design, or even your personal style?

KN. I see and treat NO15 magazine like my clothing designs. I draw inspiration and create each issue, rather than the magazine influencing my style.

C40. How would you describe your design aesthetic?

KN. I’m unsure of what my design aesthetic is, at the moment; I’m still in the process of building and creating it. As I make more stuff, my aesthetic seems to be getting more coherent to me. I feel like, at the moment, it’s heading in a grungy and messy, yet still put-together direction—but that can transform and change into something completely different at any moment. I’m always finding new inspiration everyday, in different areas. There’s no way that I can have just one aesthetic forever. This uncertainty is something I really enjoy; I have a lot more freedom in designing when I’m not stuck with one particular aesthetic and style.

C40. What are some of your long-term goals with KVN? Do you want to see yourself reach a mass market like Marc Jacobs or Tory Burch, or would you rather see yourself as a cult brand?

KN. As weird as it may sound, I would love to be able to just design and direct runway shows. Runway shows are so amazing because you have so much freedom with them. I love coming up with concepts, styles and even stories that I can incorporate into my designs. I love being able to entertain people with my work, as well. In reality, obviously, only putting on runway shows and not selling clothes isn’t really possible because they cost a lot of money! So, without reaching a mass market, I wouldn’t be able to put on runway shows to the level and extent that I really want to. If I could do so without having to sell my clothes, then I would definitely just put on runway shows! I think it’s really awkward to put a price on my own designs and sell them. When I make new designs and people ask how much they can buy them for, I usually just give it to them for free. I’d feel really weird designing with an intention to make money, as cliché as that may sound. In the future, I’d much rather be well-respected in the fashion industry for my work, rather than be filthy rich.

C40. When you aren’t busy designing new clothes or heading NO15, what can you be found doing? What are some of your favorite hobbies?

KN. When I’m free from designing and from NO15, I really just like to be outside—whether I’m hanging out with friends, eating or just relaxing. The process of sewing and heading NO15 are mainly indoor/inside-a-room types of things, and often times they can get really suffocating and overwhelming. So, whenever I get free time, I like to just spend it outdoors.

C40. Who would be your dream person to design for, if given the opportunity?

KN. Although we’re from completely different time eras, I would have love to have designed for Marie Antoinette. I’m in love with the Baroque style; it’s so elegant and lovely. Her dresses back then were so extravagant and detail-oriented. It would have been so much fun making one of those dresses, especially for royalty. There would have been so much pressure not to mess up! But, then again, I work at my best under pressure.

C40. How did you get involved with NO15? Where you approached, or was it your brainchild? How has your background in design helped you with running a fashion magazine?

KN. NO15 Magazine is my little baby that I started up from scratch! For me, each issue is like a clothing design; the creative process is so similar. I find inspiration, brainstorm and put it together. Having a background in design really helps me with the artistic and creative side of the magazine because, like sewing, I focus on every single detail, making sure it’s perfect and concise.

C40. What is your biggest vice?

KN. I get extremely bored very easily, and I have a giant pile of unfinished designs to prove it. I move on and think of designs way too quickly, as compared to how fast I can sew! When I think of a new design, I’m pretty much focused and hooked on it until I come up with my next one. Unfortunately, I always tend to think of new designs while I’m still in the process of making a previous one. I just end up throwing it into a pile and letting it sit there while I start on my latest project.

C40. What clothing item can you not live without?

KN. I cannot live without my denim jacket that has a 1950s navy patch on the chest pocket. I wear it on my lazy days, which is pretty much every day. It’s so comfortable, and not at all a hassle to put on. It matches everything I have, which saves me so much time when I get dressed in the morning. I can just throw on a random pair of pants, random shoes and a random t-shirt, and my jacket will just tie it all together. In fact, I’m wearing it right now, as I’m answering these questions!

Images via Kevin Nguyen