Nicolas Petrou

Nicolas Petrou
Born	Nicosia, Cyprus
Occupation	Fashion designer
Years active	1993–present
Known for	Couture fashion design, PETROU, PETROU\MAN, audience by PETROU\MAN
Notable work	PETROU label, PETROU\MAN menswear line, audience by PETROU\MAN diffusion line

Nicolas Petrou is a fashion designer of Cypriot-American heritage who specializes in couture and operates out of New York City.

Early life and education

Originally from Nicosia, Cyprus, Petrou relocated to London following his secondary education to pursue studies in art and design at Harrow College. He continued his academic journey at Regent's American College London and subsequently obtained a Master of Arts degree in fashion design from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 1992.

Career

In 1993, Petrou moved to New York City, where he worked with multiple fashion brands and quickly earned recognition. By 1995, he and his partner Michael Lund were highlighted by the New York Times as promising new talents. His creations have been showcased in prominent magazines such as WWD, T Magazine, Vogue, Elle, Bazaar, and The New York Times. Among the celebrities he has styled are Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. In 2011, his work was included in the publication Not A Toy: Radical Character Design in Fashion and Costume.

PETROU

Petrou unveiled his eponymous label, PETROU, in 2006, establishing a boutique on Madison Avenue dedicated to luxury womenswear.

PETROU\MAN

The year 2009 marked the launch of PETROU\MAN, an upscale menswear line distributed across the United States and Hong Kong. This collection offers an innovative approach to men's apparel by merging sportswear elements with avant-garde design. The initial release, described by Dazed Digital as a reimagining of athletic wear, presented garments adorned with vibrant star-spangled motifs. His follow-up collection took cues from nomadic cultures, integrating diverse fabrics and patterns to produce textured ensembles. For the Spring 2011 season, Petrou incorporated beige and navy hues alongside tribal and ethnic prints, complemented by intricate headpieces influenced by Pacific Islander and African aesthetics.

audience by PETROU\MAN

In March 2013, Petrou expanded his reach with audience by PETROU\MAN, a more accessible diffusion line. The first collection received positive reviews, including inclusion in The New York Times T Magazine's "Top 10 Items from Fall/Winter 2014." Inspired by abstract art, this range experimented with tie-dye and acid-wash methods applied to cotton and wool blends to produce unique shapes.

Collaborations

Nicolas Petrou has collaborated with artists such as Stephen Shanabrook, Veronika Georgieva, and Henrik Vibskov for the cover of Dazed & Confused, captured by photographer Kacper Kasprzyk and styled by Robbie Spencer. He has also created costumes for the New York-based dance troupe Chamecki Lerner. Moreover, Petrou is a co-founder and serves as creative director of The Market NYC.