Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu, and Phillip Lim. (Picture Credit score: Character Media)
Might is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to have a good time the wealthy historical past, tradition, and contributions of Asian People and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the USA. In honor of this month, we’re shining a highlight on a number of AAPI designers who’ve made a big affect on the style trade.
ALEXANDER WANG
Alexander Wang and Bella Hadid. (Picture Credit score: WWD)
Alexander Wang is a Taiwanese-American clothier who rose to fame within the early 2000s. Wang launched his eponymous label in 2007, and since then, he has turn into recognized for his edgy, minimalist designs. Wang has gained a number of awards all through his profession, together with the CFDA/Vogue Trend Fund in 2008 and the Swarovski Award for Womenswear in 2009.
VERA WANG
Vera Wang in certainly one of her creations. (Picture Credit score: Newsweek)
Vera Wang is a Chinese language-American clothier who’s finest recognized for her bridal put on. Wang started her profession as a determine skater earlier than transitioning to vogue design. She labored for Vogue journal for a number of years earlier than beginning her personal bridal line in 1990. As we speak, Vera Wang is without doubt one of the most well-known and profitable bridal designers on the planet.
PHILLIP LIM
Portrait of Phillip Lim. (Picture Credit score: GQ)
Phillip Lim is a Cambodian-American clothier who launched his eponymous label in 2005. Lim’s designs are recognized for his or her clear traces, daring colours, and easy type. He has gained a number of awards all through his profession, together with the CFDA Swarovski Award for Rising Expertise in Womenswear in 2007.
PRABAL GURUNG
Prabal Gurung is entrance and heart on the Met Gala in NYC on Might 7, 2018. (Picture Credit score: LA Occasions)
Prabal Gurung is a Nepalese-American clothier who launched his eponymous label in 2009. Gurung’s designs are recognized for his or her female silhouettes, daring prints, and use of luxurious materials. He has dressed many high-profile celebrities, together with Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Kate Middleton.
JASON WU
Jason Wu flanked by fashions throughout his Fall 2022 present. (Picture Credit score: Harper’s Bazaar)
Jason Wu is a Taiwanese-Canadian clothier who rose to fame in 2009 when he designed the inauguration robe for First Woman Michelle Obama. Wu launched his eponymous label in 2007, and since then, he has turn into recognized for his elegant, female designs. He has gained a number of awards all through his profession, together with the Swarovski Award for Womenswear in 2010.
YEOHLEE TENG
Yeohlee Tang with a number of of her designs. (Picture Credit score: Frondoors Media)
Yeohlee Teng is a Malaysian-born clothier who launched her eponymous label in 1981. Teng’s designs are recognized for his or her minimalist, architectural type, and she or he has been praised for her use of sustainable and moral practices. She has gained a number of awards all through her profession, together with the Nationwide Design Award in 2004.
BIBHU MOHAPATRA
Bibhu Mohapatra in his showroom. (Picture Credit score: Utah State Journal)
Bibhu Mohapatra is an Indian-American clothier who launched his eponymous label in 2009. Mohapatra’s designs are recognized for his or her elegant, female type, and he has dressed many high-profile celebrities, together with Jennifer Lopez and Lupita Nyong’o. He has gained a number of awards all through his profession, together with the “Younger Innovator Award” from the Nationwide Arts Membership.
THAKOON PANICHGUL
Portrait of Thakoon Panichgul. (Picture Credit score: Architectural Digest)
Thakoon Panichgul is a Thai-American clothier who launched his model in 2004. His designs are recognized for his or her female, fashionable, and chic type. Thakoon has dressed a number of high-profile celebrities and has gained a number of awards, together with the Vogue/CFDA Trend Fund Award.
KINI ZAMORA
Kini Zamora on the runway flanked by fashions. (Picture Credit score: Honolulu Journal)
Kini Zamora is a Hawaiian clothier who is understood for his up to date designs. Zamora’s designs are characterised by their daring prints, vibrant colours, and fashionable silhouettes. He has acquired quite a few awards, together with the Greatest Designer of the 12 months Award on the Honolulu Trend Week in 2014.
HIROAKI OHYA
Portrait of Hiroaki Ohya. (Picture Credit score: Trend Mannequin Listing)
Hiroaki Ohya is a Japanese-American clothier recognized for his minimalist and understated designs. His clothes designs are characterised by their clear traces, impartial coloration palette, and use of high-quality materials. He has gained a number of awards, together with the Trend Group Worldwide Rising Star Award in 2015.
YUKI MATSUDA
Yuki Matsuda surrounded by his footwear. (Picture Credit score: Gear Patrol)
Yuki Matsuda is a Japanese-American clothier and the founding father of the heritage-inspired model, Yuketen. His designs are characterised by their basic and timeless type, impressed by classic American workwear and out of doors put on. He has collaborated with a number of high-profile manufacturers, together with Monocle and Woolrich.
PETER DO
Designer Peter Do surrounded by his creations. (Picture Credit score: The Lower)
Peter Do is a Vietnamese-American clothier recognized for his minimalist and fashionable designs. After working for manufacturers resembling Derek Lam and Celine, he launched his eponymous label in 2018 and has shortly gained a following for his smooth and complicated aesthetic. He was named a finalist for the LVMH Prize in each 2019 and 2020 and was a finalist for the CFDA/Vogue Trend Fund in 2020.
ASHLYNN PARK
Portrait of Ashlynn Park. (Picture Credit score: Samsung Trend & Design Fund)
Ashlynn Park is a Seoul-born, New York-based clothier recognized for her up to date but elegant designs that always function intricate particulars and distinctive textures. After finding out vogue design at Parsons Faculty of Design, Park launched her eponymous label in 2016 and shortly gained recognition for her daring, female designs that mix conventional methods with fashionable aesthetics.
SO TELL US, WHICH ASIAN OR PACIFIC ISLANDER DESIGNER DO YOU THINK HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON THE FASHION INDUSTRY?
