Meet Tiago Segundo

We were lucky to catch up with Tiago Segundo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tiago , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I always knew that I had an artistic vocation. As a kid, I was always drawing, and playing with painting. At school, I was good in all of the classes, but I didn’t quite fit well in any of them. It was as a teenager that art became something that I believed I could follow. I can list three events that made me want to be a fashion designer.
First, the Egyptian Collection by John Galliano at Dior. I remember when I saw it the emotion came through, how spectacular it was, and how strongly hit me. Second the movie “The Devon Wears Prada”, and last the legendary Lady Gaga’s performance at the VMA in 2009. But in Brazil, where I am from, to follow a fashion designer path is not simple. I couldn’t afford to go to a fashion school, but at the time when I was deciding what to follow I watched an interview with one of the biggest Brazilian designers Alexandre Herchcovitch, saying the importance of arts in general to become a fashion designer.
Following his advice, first I went to the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and did Art History and Fine Arts as a major. For a few years, I developed a personal aesthetic using watercolor, collage, and acrylic painting. Years after, I had the opportunity to follow the fashion designer dream, when I came to Philadelphia, USA.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Tiago Segundo, I am a fashion designer. I am originally from Rio de Janeiro, and nowadays I live in Philadelphia, PA.
At first in my career, I focused on Art History and Fine Arts, but I always had an interest in following a Fashion Design path. These years of Art History and Fine Arts were crucial to understanding my aesthetic, what is it, what I consider interesting, what I want to produce, and how.
When I make my collections I do consider them a piece of art, but I only have this understanding because I have studied so many years about how art and fashion are completely related in human culture.
I mainly focus on Womenswear and Evening wear, since my master’s in Fashion Design was my focus, and I had the opportunity to develop and train my eyes and hands during my internship with Christian Siriano in New York.
I believe fashion is not just about clothing, it is a form of art that allows us to communicate our innermost thoughts and feelings.
As a designer, I like to blend the classic with the avant-garde, the traditional with the experimental or craft pieces that are fashionable and timeless works of art.
Now I am preparing my first complete collection to be released called “Deep Paradise”. It is a development of my graduation collection. The show will be exhibited during the Philadelphia Fashion Week on the 22nd of February.
The main inspiration for the collection is creatures living in the abyssal area of the ocean, using it as a metaphoric
element to create its narrative. These monstrous figures are used to symbolize our deep fears, revealing the core of the collection. How embrace our fears and use them to create beauty? It balances playing between horror and beauty.
The “Deep Paradise Couture Collection” exhibits couture techniques, showcasing manipulation of fine materials, advanced patternmaking, and meticulous attention to detail.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I think no matter the area you want to follow, you need to focus, believe in yourself, believe that you are capable of doing it, and believe in your dreams as your life depends upon them, determination, and passion.
Be prepared to work hard, not only on your pieces (in my case garments), but having the more knowledge you can about a particular area, or project in development.
Network, think about how can you can approach more visibility, create connection, and even a sense of community. I have been impressed by how beautiful is to create these connections through clothes. The amount of support you have between professors, co-workers, models, photographers, stylists, fashion influencers, etc.
And again, be passionate about what you are doing, it is going to show through.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I am always looking to collaborate. It is really important in order to build not just a brand, but a community. The more you collaborate more you reach out to more people. Right now for the Philadelphia Fashion Week, I am collaborating with a jewelry brand I love called Feast Jewelry, I believe our aesthetics match completely but in different materials, and I am glad they also believe in my work.
Recently, I collaborated with Devon Squillace, a creative producer, and Light Bulb Rentals to create a documentary about Young Fashion Designer around Philadelphia called “Behind The Collection Philly”, and I had an amazing experience with them, such an excellent way to showcase both of the work. The documentary is available on their YouTube channel.
The first beautiful collab I had was with Jason Kelly, when they were one of my garments to attend to a fashion show. Remarkable and jaw dropping.
I am glad to collaborate with creative producers, magazines, models, photographers, fashion stylists, fashion influencers, and other brands as well. It is always rewarding.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Isabella Harris (Model)
Monica Hill (Model)
Sherry Sheehan ( Model)
Eden Dugger (Model)
Madison Grebe ( Model)
Jazmin (Model)
Yasmine Elizabeth (Model)
Caroline (Model)
Rachel Bromberg(Model)
Devon Squillace ( Creative Producer)

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