Peter Dundas
Peter Dundas
Peter Hyde Dundas (born December 19, 1969) is a fashion designer. After working for Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix and Roberto Cavalli, Dundas founded his own label, Dundas, with co-founder Evangelo Bousis.
Early Life & Education
“He dressed me in things that he thought were appropriate based on his recollection of what he wore when he was a child.
It made me look like a bit of an oddball, so I would have to go to a flea market, digging through the racks looking for something I could wear."[3]
In 1978 at 9, he was discovered by a casting director of a regional theater company.
He spent much of the next three years on stage.
He later said:
“I bought clothes with my first paycheck, I didn’t buy toys.”
He moved to Indiana with his family to live with his mother’s relatives aged 14.
Dundas studied at Parsons School of Design in New York and graduated in 1990.[2]
Career
Dundas began his career as an assistant costume designer for the Comédie-Française in Paris.[3] In 1992, Dundas became design assistant to Jean Paul Gaultier, where he stayed for eight years. Dundas later recalled of his mentor:
“We had a discussion about pushing limits, and he told me that I should always include one aspect of familiarity in whatever I do, and that way I’d get away with a lot more.
Since then I have always tried to locate something classical in everything I design, which I think lends rigor to the garment.”[3]
All the while building up his experience, in 2000 Dundas moved to Christian Lacroix. Dundas served as chief designer at Cavalli from 2002 to 2005. Later, he became a creative director at Emanuel Ungaro.[2]
In 2007 Dundas parted ways with Ungaro and consulted for Dolce & Gabbana. In January 2008 he was appointed creative director of Revillon. In February the same year he showed first collection for Revillon, inspired by rock chicks Marianne Faithfull, Anita Pallenberg, and Kate Moss. In March 2010 Dundas left Revillon. Dundas became the artistic director of Emilio Pucci in October 2008. A Pucci spokesperson said in a statement: "Peter Dundas, who is one of the most promising designers of his generation, possesses a creative talent and personality that fit with Pucci’s spirit and with its colourful and modern identity."[3]
Dundas returened to Roberto Cavalli and said he saw his return in March 2015 as “a homecoming.” In October 2016, Peter Dundas parted ways with Roberto Cavalli after 19 months in the role. He then launched his own label, Dundas, with co-founder Evangelo Bousis. The label made its debut on Beyoncé at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.[2] This followed by a short collection exclusively with MModa Operandi in July 2017, and subsequentially by a partnership with Farfetch in that autumn.[4]
In March 2019, Art of Elysium named Dundas the recipient of its Visionary Award for 2020, with the designer creating the decorations for its annual gala on the theme of "Heaven."
The brand's D7 collection also premiered at Art of Elysium's event the year prior.[2]