Private Policy is a menswear brand started by Haroran Li and Siying Qu, who are both graduates of Parsons School of Design. Their debut SS16 collection is an ode to streetwear and youths with a rebellious heart. 

The first impression of the collection is a mix and match of shiny fabric, fringe and mesh in oversized silhouette that will please those with a 90s penchant.  Such is Private Policy’s visual appeal that their clothes have been seen on underground singers like Neon Indian, Shamir and TOPS. 

Li and Qu hang out a lot in Downtown New York and the urban locale of Lower East Side, SoHo and Chinatown, with their fascinating people, serve as an inspiration for the SS16 collection. While the pair saw many young people with free spirit but the lack of design to match that attitude, they knew they had to fix that.

I recently chatted with the duo to find out about the inspiration for the SS16 collection and where the duo see themselves in five years.   

– What’s the inspiration for the SS16 collection?

We hang out a lot with our friends in Downtown New York. We love observing people walking in Lower East Side, SoHo and Chinatown. It just feels great to be surrounded by fascinating people, who are not afraid to express their colorful personality and rebellious heart. Everyone is so unique in Downtown New York, that is what PRIVATE POLICY is about. We see many young people with a rebellious heart, but it is hard to find anything matching their free spirit, so we make what is truly desired for the moment. 

In our collections, we want to break the restrictions embedded in fashion. Why not some shiny fabric for menswear? Why not some couture velvet and silk wool for a street bomber? Why not take some risk with mix&matching bright colors? And then, we throw on some beads, put down some pants, show off some fringe and fur. These contrasts naturally built beautiful tensions, which then creates a big-bang of visual and tactile sensations.

– Who do you see wearing your clothes? 

We design for the fashion, art, music lovers, who seek for clothes that bring  youthful NYC Downtown attitude to their daily wardrobe.

– Where do you see the brand in 5 years?

PRIVATE POLICY aims to be an international fashion brand that inspire people to have fun with dressing, to invest in the quality of fabrics and in the design details. Also, through technology and social platforms, we are looking to revolutionize the way we design, produce, sell, and connect with our customer, our friends.