Le Report: Victor John Villanueva

For Victor John Villanueva fashion is a means by which he expresses his personality and creativity.

He is the life of the party any where he goes, funny, friendly and not afraid to speak his mind.

For his loved ones, he is a sensative and caring human being full of life and passion for art.

Le-report takes Victor and 3point Pop into the Meat packing district for a hillarous brunch.

3 Point Pop necklace of American artist Andy Warhol

· Tell me a little bit about yourself and your parents.

I am a Filipino-American who was born and raised in New York City. Although my parents were not in the arts themselves, they were incredibly creative. My mom made her own clothing and my father was an inventive jack-of-all-trades. I am convinced that if he had had the training and desire he could have been a great sculptor. Through their example I learned that all problems have solutions, you just have to be creative enough to see them. Being a New Yorker and the child of resourceful immigrants has contributed to my point of view. As an artist I take neither for granted and always interpret my context with fresh eyes.

· Growing up, what was your relationship with art?

Like most children, I drew and colored. What may have separated me from others is that I always had a “studio”, even if it was a tiny corner in a room. In my studio, I would cut paper, make compositions, glue things together, play office, etc. I felt free in that space to make things that stimulated me and made me happy. That said, I don’t think that I knew that I was an artist until much later in life. Until that moment, it was all fun and games, circles and squares.

Victor is wearing his version of mutliple glasses that Leigh Bowery wore for a promotional photo for a notable documentary about his life.( Leigh Bowery was an Australian performance artist, club promoter, actor, pop star, model and fashion designer based in London)

· Where did you go to school and what was your major?

After graduating from Cardinal Spellman High School, I applied and got accepted into the engineering program at Binghamton University. At 18, I still thought that I was going to go into the sciences since I found it to be a discipline that encouraged creativity and I was also interested in math and physics. Immediately upon seeing the syllabus, however, I switched my major to Literature and Rhetoric – almost a complete 360°. It was while I was immersed in critical theory and analytical texts that I realized that rather than critique works of art, I preferred to create them. It’s funny that now I’m making work that demands a penchant for math and design, even if in a subliminal way. I guess I became the engineer that I wanted to become.

· What is fashion for you and who is your favorite designer?

Fashion for me is communication. You can tell a lot about someone by the way they dress. Fashion is also freedom to me. Through fashion you can tell a story, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be your own. It’s ultimately an illusion. I think that’s why it’s so fun.

I have a lot of designers that I admire. My all time favorite would have to be Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons. Kawakubo-san is my favorite because she came to fashion from the outside, from the world of words and ideas. With that foundation, she has been able to communicate her unique sensibility through fashion. I think she has expanded the lexicon of fashion and has inspired countless others.

· Tell me about your current job and how is it related to graphic design?

I am the Director of Creative Services at New York City Opera, which is to say I design graphics for the company. I love graphic design and I love fashion. Sometimes the lines get blurred between the two and that is when it gets interesting. Part of my own creative process is allowing myself to be open to all kinds of inspiration and translating that sentiment across any given medium.

· Tell me about 3 point pop and 3 point line? When did it start and how did you come up with the name?

Three point is the accessories brand I have developed where I incorporate my love of fashion and my love of design to create art. I have always been inspired by creative genius however it is expressed. I have created pieces about my idols such as Biggie Smalls, Karl Lagerfeld, André Leon Talley, and Gilbert and George. At 3ptline.com you can find images of the hand painted T-Shirts created originally for FNO 2010 and at 3ptpop.com you can find my latest creations, beaded portraits of creative people in the public eye – suitable for wearing as jewelry or hanging at home.

My own 3 point Pop

· So far, what would be your most memorable experience with a celebrity and your creations?

By far it would have to be my meeting Karl Lagerfeld (see link below). I was SO nervous when I showed him his piece. I even apologized when a crowd developed on the street. I can still hear him say “Don’t apologize! You are different! Not everyone makes my portrait!” Then he asked me to send it to him, which I did.

What is your favorite 3 point pop character in your collection and why?

That’s kind of like choosing one of your children over another. I just happen to have dozens of children. LOL. While I’ve tried new techniques and have pushed my boundaries with a couple of pieces along the way, I have to say that the piece I made of the drag performer Nina Flowers took me to a new place. So I’ll say Nina because she pushed me.

· You seem to be inspired by the television show RuPaul’s drag race, tell me about it.

I have been a fan of RuPaul for many years and her reality show has given many drag performers more visibility. I find the cunning, uniqueness, nerve and talent that the contestants display resonate with my own experience as a creative person developing my life as an art form. (See picture of Raja, winner of Season 3 of Rupaul’s Drag Race.)

I am wearing 3 Point Pop necklace ant T shirt of Artist Model Muse Performer and Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3, Raja Gemini

· What are future projects?

I want to explore the idea of wearing the art that I create in the performance of alternate identities. For New York Fashion week this winter I wore a beaded piece that depicted me dressed up as an Andy Warhol-esque character. I wore a wig that referenced Warhol’s look and combined it with my own fashion and became “Victor Pump.” I am very interested in the way that my art, both fashion and design, creates an illusion that explores new realities.