Daily Front Row

2009 April 30

...And Being Edward Lorenz Tan

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A look from Edward Lorenz Tan's collection
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(NEW YORK) Parsons crowned graduating senior Edward Lorenz Tan as its menswear designer of the year last night; The Daily swooped in for the exit interview. "It was actually a really rough start," Tan said of his thesis collection inspired by Russian architects Brodsky and Utkin. "I worked with this concept that I didn't fully understand, but by trying to analyze the artists and where they came from, I found a lot more to work with."

The Los Angeles native originally aspired to a career in acting, but once at Parsons, he found himself hell-bent on a career in fashion. Tan has secured several high-profile internships during his tenure there, including a gig as the Los Angeles-based Band of Outsiders designer Scott Sternberg's New York assistant as well as an internship at Chado Ralph Rucci. Tan currently serves as a creative consultant for Chadwick Bell.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited," he said of his win. "It was such a great experience, but even being in the show is enough to make me feel proud. On top of having that and having everyone major in the industry look at my work, was pretty amazing."

As for Tan's summer plans? "I'm looking for a job, like everybody else! Hopefully, I can start my own line further down the line. I really admire John Varvatos and Italo Zucchelli. Also, I look to Donna Karan, because she doesn't have a very strong menswear aspect to her business and I would like to help out with that." Attention!

But meanwhile, the young designer has plenty of reason to celebrate. "Last night, I had a lot of champange!" he laughed. "But today? It's a bittersweet moment, because I really enjoyed the process of putting my own collection together, and I don't think I'll be able to do that again for quite some time." With talent like this? Don't count on it.
ASHLEY BAKER