Peter Do knows the importance of authenticity. Pulling from his everyday life, Do believes that fashion should combine individual style with versatility, durability, and comfort. His philosophy circumvents the often lofty aspirations of high fashion, instead choosing to build a brand based on the power of quotidian details. 

“What drives me is the need to make something honest,” says Do. “Not just beautiful, but considered. Built with care. Designed to last.”

“I’m always inspired by real life”

Do was born in Vietnam and came to Philadelphia when he was a teenager, which exposed him to the often-turbulent life of an immigrant in the United States. He notes that his mother, Hong, helped steady him during this time, teaching him the importance of resiliency. She remains one of his primary sources of inspiration. 

“I’ve always been drawn to women who move through the world with quiet strength, who are navigating complex lives, carrying so much, and still showing up with grace and conviction,” Do says. “Growing up, I was surrounded by women like that, and designing for them felt natural.”

Do’s work is also influenced by the patternmakers, tailors, and seamstresses he works alongside. Because he creates for the women he knows, Do’s portfolio has never been about chasing an ideal, but rather creating pieces that support daily life. 

His clothing combines clean, noticeable designs that make the wearer feel powerful yet unrestricted through simple details: the cut of the shoulder on a jacket, the weight of the fabric used for a blouse, or the movement created by a dress. 

“Fashion is how we tell the world who we are without saying a word.”

Do approaches clothing design as a continual and communal dialogue. A true creator, his fascination with fashion began when Do first learned how garments are constructed and how he could bend the rules. Instead of using external references or mood boards, Do’s unconventional design technique is formed by memories, conversations, or places. 

He most enjoys when one of his designs helps to change someone’s self perception.

“What keeps me excited is how a single piece of clothing can shift how someone feels. That quiet confidence, that sense of recognition and joy—when someone puts something on and thinks, ‘This feels like me, but better’—that’s the part I care about most.” 

Do elaborates, “For me, it’s never just about the clothes. It’s about helping someone feel like themself, but stronger, clearer, more grounded.”

Fashion is a notoriously competitive industry and immigrant fashion designers often face additional challenges developing their artistic voice and getting their work noticed. But Do says that his philosophy of honesty, commitment to himself, and the love for his brand helps him to stay focused.