The new vanguard: Peng Tai looks to traditional Asian heritage for inspiration for the future

Peng Tai has always been closely attuned to the relationship between man and nature. So much so that he built his entire label on that ethos. “The core of Peng Tai is the balance between nature and humans,” the designer says. “We are never restrained by one aesthetic only; instead, we want to show the variation of this relationship with time and environments.” Peng, who grew up in Taiwan, graduated from the London College of Fashion (LCF) in 2017, where he got his master’s degree in menswear. Upon graduation, he moved to Paris with his wife, Isa Kwai, who does double duty as his muse and atelier manager. “After I graduated from LCF, I made some garments for Isa and we received quite positive feedback from buyers,” he says about establishing his brand. “Due to this, we thought it was a good start and we could give it a try.” Today, Peng Tai is carried in 23 cities worldwide, among them Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Tel Aviv, Tokyo and Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a testament to the label’s international appeal and the designer’s global upbringing. Peng lists Taiwan as the place where he learned his basic techniques, such as pattern cutting, draping and sewing skills, while London “is the place that liberated my thoughts; it gave me lots of freedom”, he says. But it is his chosen home of Paris where he feels the most inspired. “Isa and I are deeply affected by the pace in Paris. We always go to galleries, drinking and enjoy the sunset along the Seine in our spare time. I think it might be the reason why Peng Tai has an image of romanticism.”