Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu, and Phillip Lim. (Photograph Credit score: Character Media)
Could 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 impression on the style trade.
ALEXANDER WANG
Alexander Wang and Bella Hadid. (Photograph 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 out to be recognized for his edgy, minimalist designs. Wang has gained a number of awards all through his profession, together with the CFDA/Vogue Style Fund in 2008 and the Swarovski Award for Womenswear in 2009.
VERA WANG
Vera Wang in certainly one of her creations. (Photograph 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. At the moment, Vera Wang is without doubt one of the most well-known and profitable bridal designers on this planet.
PHILLIP LIM
Portrait of Phillip Lim. (Photograph 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 strains, daring colours, and easy model. 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 Could 7, 2018. (Photograph Credit score: LA Instances)
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. (Photograph 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 Girl Michelle Obama. Wu launched his eponymous label in 2007, and since then, he has turn out to be 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. (Photograph 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 model, and he or she 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. (Photograph 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 model, 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. (Photograph 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 model. Thakoon has dressed a number of high-profile celebrities and has gained a number of awards, together with the Vogue/CFDA Style Fund Award.
KINI ZAMORA
Kini Zamora on the runway flanked by fashions. (Photograph Credit score: Honolulu Journal)
Kini Zamora is a Hawaiian clothier who is understood for his modern designs. Zamora’s designs are characterised by their daring prints, shiny colours, and fashionable silhouettes. He has obtained quite a few awards, together with the Finest Designer of the 12 months Award on the Honolulu Style Week in 2014.
HIROAKI OHYA
Portrait of Hiroaki Ohya. (Photograph Credit score: Style Mannequin Listing)
Hiroaki Ohya is a Japanese-American clothier recognized for his minimalist and understated designs. His clothes designs are characterised by their clear strains, impartial colour palette, and use of high-quality materials. He has gained a number of awards, together with the Style Group Worldwide Rising Star Award in 2015.
YUKI MATSUDA
Yuki Matsuda surrounded by his footwear. (Photograph 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 traditional and timeless model, impressed by classic American workwear and outside 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. (Photograph Credit score: The Reduce)
Peter Do is a Vietnamese-American clothier recognized for his minimalist and fashionable designs. After working for manufacturers similar to Derek Lam and Celine, he launched his eponymous label in 2018 and has shortly gained a following for his smooth and complex aesthetic. He was named a finalist for the LVMH Prize in each 2019 and 2020 and was a finalist for the CFDA/Vogue Style Fund in 2020.
ASHLYNN PARK
Portrait of Ashlynn Park. (Photograph Credit score: Samsung Style & Design Fund)
Ashlynn Park is a Seoul-born, New York-based clothier recognized for her modern but elegant designs that usually 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 strategies with fashionable aesthetics.
SO TELL US, WHICH ASIAN OR PACIFIC ISLANDER DESIGNER DO YOU THINK HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON THE FASHION INDUSTRY?