Patric DiCaprio

Patric DiCaprio is a co-founder and leading designer of the New York-based fashion collective Vaquera. Established as a disruptive force in the American fashion industry, Vaquera is known for its subversive, performance-art approach to the runway. DiCaprio’s work with the collective has helped define a new era of 'underground' New York fashion, one that challenges the traditional commercial structures and aesthetic norms of the global luxury market.

His career is characterized by a commitment to DIY culture and a satirical exploration of American identity. Through Vaquera, he has transitioned from creating conceptual art pieces to presenting on the official Paris Fashion Week calendar, marking a significant evolution for the brand. He is recognized for his role in advocating for a more inclusive and expressive fashion landscape, where the boundaries between high art, commercial branding, and subcultural rebellion are constantly blurred.

The concept of 'fashion fan-fiction' drives a creative methodology that involves the deconstruction and satire of American commercialism and corporate branding. The work features exaggerated proportions, raw edges, and the transformation of mundane, everyday objects into avant-garde garments. This approach subverts traditional notions of luxury, instead celebrating a DIY aesthetic that prioritises conceptual impact and emotional resonance over conventional finish.

Design signals appear in the use of hyperbole and the collision of high-fashion tropes with subcultural signifiers. There is a focus on the narrative power of the individual piece, often exploring the absurdity of consumer culture through a camp and performance-oriented lens. By utilizing found materials and challenging established silhouettes, the output creates a provocative dialogue about identity, value, and the role of the fashion industry in contemporary society, advocating for a radical and often humorous essentialism.