MADE BY ASIANS - CHINA
Can you recall at least 10 names of well known Asian designers in 30 seconds? Tic tock tic tock tic tock… Times up! There are more and more Asian designers you can see in the “Big 4” Fashion Week, no doubt that they are really affecting the whole fashion industry by adding their special features into their items, sometime related to their Asian’s accent. Are any names below run through your mind?
Alexander Wang
A Taiwanese-American fashion designer who studied in Parsons The New York Design School but quitted in his sophomore year and started his 1st collection named same as his name in 2007 , also his second line “T by Alexander Wang” was launched in 2009. A. Wang won CFDA / Vogue Fund Award in 2008 and Emerging Talent Award for Ready-to-Wear in 2009 and 2010.He created urban chic garment successfully & his items become celebrities and models’ favorite daily wear.
Alexander Wang & his SS12
Derek Lam
A Chinese-American parentage fashion designer , one of the few Asian-American star designers whose family was involved in the clothing-manufacturing business. Derek worked as assistance for American designer Michael Kors after his graduation in Parsons in 1990. His own brand was launched in 2003 and he works as Tod’s creative director for ready-to wear & accessories. His vision for his label is to create with both luxurious , wearable and feminine.
Derek Lam & his SS12
Jason Wu
Born in Taiwan and he moved to Canada at 9-year old. Jason started designing when he was little by sewing and designing dolls but not clothes, however he knew that he's interested in designing and decided to become a fashion designer. Jason was also graduated in Parsons.
Media said Michelle Obama is his “career-launcher” and it's so true , Michelle Obama worn Jason’s dresses in many important public events, which includes the night of President Barack Obama’s inauguration ,on the cover of Vogue, and during the European trip with the president and even when she was meeting the Queen Elizabeth II.
Jason Wu & his SS12
Phillip Lim
He was born in Thailand and created his label called “3.1 Phillip Lim” in 2004’ while he was 31-year old & that is where his brand name come from. Phillip won the CFDA award in 2007 for Emerging Talent in womenswear. People loves his design very much and it shows at the sales of his collection, it is projected to have sales of 60 million USD in 2011.
Phillip Lim & his SS12
Peter Som
A Chinese-American designer and raised in San Francisco , he studied both Art History and Studio Art before studying at Parsons. He describes his aesthetic as one of "effortless elegance and refined sexiness", and aspires to provide a fresh perspective to modern American fashion. Clientele includes chic celebrities and stars, such as Michelle Obama , Scarlett Johansson , Mandy Moore & Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Peter Som & his SS12
Thakoon Panichgul
He is Thai-American fashion designed who was born in Thailand and moved to U.S. when he was 11. Thakoon graduated in Boston University with his business degree in 1997 then he started his designing study in Parsons. His clothing has been also worn by U.S. first lady Michelle Obama on the evening her husband, Barack Obama, accepted the 2008 Democratic nomination for president.
Panichgul's collection has been described as "forward-looking, respectful of the past, and not at all vintage
Thakoon Panichgul & his SS12
Rei Kawakubo
She is a Japanese untrained fashion designer , founder of Comme des Garcons.
In 1973, she established her own company, Comme des Garçons Co. Ltd in Tokyo and opened her first boutique in Tokyo in 1975. Her womenswear’s and menswear’s collection started presenting in Paris each season from 1981.
Rei is greatly involved in graphic design, advertising and shop interiors believing that all these things are a part of one vision. In person, she is a very media shy woman and always prefer her innovative creations to speak for themselves.
Rei Kawakubo & her FW11
Vera Wang
A famous Chinese-American fashion designer with well-known collections for couture bridesmaid gowns and wedding gown. Before she became a fashion designer in 1985 , she worked in Vogue as a senior fashion editor for 16 years.
In 1990 , Vera Wang starts her own design salon in New York and started designing her signature bridal gowns. She has made wedding gowns for celebrities ranging from singers such as Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Victoria Beckham, Avril Lavigne, Jennifer Lopez to actresses such as Jennifer Garner, Sharon Stone, Hilary Duff, Uma Thurman, Holly Hunter, Kate Hudson, along with lots of other celebrities.
Vera Wang & her SS12
Vivienne Tam
She was born in Shanghai and moved to Hong Kong when was little, her collection is named after her , with her unique vision by adding many tradition Chinese features in her collections , East meets West is always the theme of her collections.
Vivienne Tam & her SS12
Yohji Yamamoto
A well known Japanese fashion designer , Yamamoto became an influential fashion designer after making his Paris debut in 1981. His commercially successful main lines, Yohji Yamamoto (women/men) and Y's, are especially popular in Tokyo.
Yamamoto's work has also become familiar to consumers through his collaborations with other fashion brands, including Adidas (Y-3), Hermès, Mikimoto and Mandarina Duck
Unfortunately, his company was filed for bankruptcy protection in Tokyo District Court in Oct,2009.
Yohji Yamamoto & his FW11