Peter Do knows the power of individual expression. Renowned for creating distinctive yet functional clothes for everyday life, Do was awarded the 2026 Vilcek Prize in Fashion & Design for his ability to innovate without sacrificing quality or style. 

As a Vietnamese immigrant, Do says he has never fully felt like he belonged in any one space, which has given him flexibility to move between worlds, adapt, question, and ultimately to define things in his own terms.

“Growing up in Vietnam and later starting over in America, I learned early on how to be strong, how to keep going even when things felt uncertain,” Do says. “That mind-set has shaped everything I do. It helps me stay grounded in who I am, even in an industry that’s constantly shifting.”

Before he became an award-winning fashion designer, Do dreamed of becoming a comic book artist. Raised on a small farm in Biên Hòa, Vietnam, Do says the vibrant storytelling of this medium allowed him to escape into imaginary worlds. 

When he immigrated to the suburbs of Philadelphia at the age of 14, Do was exposed to a variety of foreign cultures and identities. As he adjusted to his new home, Do noticed the different clothing styles of his peers and observed how their garment selections influenced how they were perceived. He realized that clothes are the first way people introduce themselves to the world. 

“I [understood that] fashion was another form of storytelling, but this time the stories lived on the body,” Do says. “Clothes move with you—they age, stretch, and shape themselves into your life. Unlike a comic panel that’s fixed on a page, fashion is alive. It grows and changes with you.” 

After this realization, Do was determined to tell stories through fashion design. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sportswear degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, receiving the inaugural LVMH Graduate Prize. Afterward, Do moved to Paris to work in Celine’s atelier, later returning to New York to design for the luxury brand Derek Lam. 

In 2018, when he was 26 years old, Do co-founded his brand PETER DO, releasing his first collection that same year. The brand initially focused on women’s wear, but has since expanded to include menswear and unisex items. He simultaneously served as the creative director of Helumut Lang from 2022 through 2024, but left to focus on the launch of his online community, the PETER DO CLUB. This platform documents his creative journey and helps to forge relationships with like-minded creators as a way to nurture the next generation of fashion designers. Do has already worked with famous actresses and musicians like Zendaya, Solange, and Beyoncé and has been featured or referenced in major publications like Vogue, Dazed China, and GQ.

Do says he would not have achieved this level of success without the support of his mentors and friends who have reminded him of his worth and encouraged him to persevere throughout his career. He hopes to offer the same support to other aspiring immigrants and Asian designers.

Awards and Accomplishments

Finalist, ANDAM Prize (2022)
Finalist, International Woolmark Prize (2022)
Nominee, CFDA Emerging Designer Award (2020)
LVMH Prize (2020)
Nominee, CFDA Emerging Designer Award (2020)
LVMH Graduate Prize (2014)