Chris Nick draws inspiration from a horror-thriller cult classic for his Fall/Winter 2025 collection.
Existing art inspires artists, a reality often reflected in modern and contemporary designs. The possibility of cross-referencing different art mediums to create something new is driven by an artist’s or designer’s fascinations. For his new Fall/Winer 2025 line, Filipino designer Chris Nick references the cult-classic horror-thriller American Psycho to bloody brilliant effect.
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Dissecting The Psycho
American Psycho was adapted from Bret Easton Ellis’s novel of the same name. It follows Patrick Bateman, who leads a double life: by day, he is a successful investment banker; by night, he harbors dark intentions and a lust for violence and murder.
Bateman’s seamless transition between his personalities is what Chris Nick found interesting when he first watched the movie at a young age. “I was eleven when I first saw the film and even snuck out to buy the novel, which is something I know by heart—in fact, I even have the typescript of the script. Growing up, Patrick Bateman’s character was forever embedded into my system, my brain chemistry if you will,” he shared.
He adds: “The way he was, the way he acted, the way he dressed, his vanity, his aggressiveness, his eye for perfection and beautiful things. The way he was so perfect on the outside but on the inside was a complete disaster—filled with anger and insecurity running through his veins, was something that was just so captivating to me.”
The Collection
American Psycho effectively tells its story through clothing. The characters in Bateman’s circle are considerably wealthy and affluent, dressing the part. Tapered designer suits and luxury watches for Bateman and his associates perfectly reinforce the notion of wealth and excess, contextualizing the film’s Wall Street setting.
Power dressing defines the film’s style, with pieces that signify authority and demand attention—worn to command a room or assert dominance. Chris incorporated this notion in his new collection. “I tell the story of how Patrick Bateman would be in female form. The elements of the late ’80s and early ’90s, such as boxy silhouettes and streamlined cuts, reflect the ethos of Wall Street,” he says describing his collection.
The Fall/Winter 2025 collection features well-crafted double-breasted blazers, topcoats, dress shirts, vests, and dresses that reinterprets power dressing for women. Traditionally male silhouettes worn by women create a striking juxtaposition, subtly critiquing how power is perceived in relation to gender.
“The story goes from day to night and how it’s a cycle of repetitive uniform pieces, staples that vary in different shades of gray transition into darker shades and ending with the ultimate form of dressing—black tie,” Chris explained.
The collection’s color story is also inspired by how Chris dresses. He sees grey as a hue that evokes mystery, making others question whether they should approach someone in a monochromatic grey outfit. This contrasts with the aloof and unapproachable vibe of an all-black ensemble.
Chris’s latest collection is a testament to his enduring fascination with American Psycho. The film’s influence transcends fleeting trends; it has shaped Chris’ personal style, and that distinct aesthetic is now strikingly evident in this collection.
Photos courtesy of Chris Nick.
