Sothea Kong Dances with Dimensions
Through manipulation of volume and proportion, Sothea creates garments that challenge traditional silhouettes while bridging Eastern and Western design sensibilities
Volume and balance
For Cambodian fashion designer Sothea Kong, the art of creating captivating garments lies in the masterful manipulation of proportions and volumes. His aesthetic philosophy centers on the delicate balance between contrasting elements, which results in clothes that challenge conventional silhouettes while maintaining a sophisticated elegance that speaks to both Eastern and Western sensibilities.
Sothea’s clothes showcase his expertise in architectural design principles applied to fashion. His signature pieces often feature dramatic juxtapositions: an oversized black cropped coat, precisely tailored at the shoulders yet deliberately voluminous through the body, creates a bold statement when paired with meticulously cut wide-leg trousers.
The jacket’s generous proportions are thoughtfully controlled through strategic seaming and careful fabric selection, which allows the garment to maintain its sculptural quality while remaining wearable. The pattern work itself becomes a study in scale, with details that reveal themselves only upon closer inspection, creating a dynamic visual experience from both near and far.
Form and function
Throughout his clothes, Sothea demonstrates a profound understanding of how clothing interacts with the human form. His wide-leg trousers, far from being mere accompaniments, are engineered to create a harmonious foundation for his more experimental upper pieces. The pants’ generous cut and precise tailoring ensure they move gracefully with the wearer while maintaining their architectural presence.
Color plays a crucial role in Sothea’s work as well, with his preference for a restrained palette of blacks, whites, and colorful hues allowing the structural elements of his designs to take center stage. It emphasizes how light and shadow interact across the varying volumes and textures of his garments, which create a sophisticated visual narrative that continues to influence contemporary fashion design.
This story appears in the pages of VMAN SEA 01: now available for purchase!
Photography BJ Pascual
Creative direction Vince Uy
Fashion Ryuji Shiomitsu
Grooming Thazzia Falek
Grooming assistants George Dillinger, Vincci Tardes, and Jhessie Recto
Hair Patty Cristobal
Nails Luz Fortuno (Triple Luck Brow and Nail Salon)
Retouching Summer Untalan
Models Eugene Reggio (Mercator) and Jubei Caceres (IM Agency)
Production Jones Palteng
Fashion assistants Aaron de Chavez, Ar Valdez, Patricia Naomi Cruz, and Nichole Anne Pura
On location PioneerX Studios
