Editorial Note: This post was originally published at an earlier date. Since our support for AAPI-owned brands is forever, we thought we'd update any sold-out products to make it easy to shop the latest and greatest from some of our favorite designers.
(Image credit: @yanyanknits;@osoi_official;@j.kim)
Today we’re sharing some of our favorite new-guard designers that have caught the attention of our editors. If you want to brush up on some of theveteran designers who have shaped modern Asian fashion, we’ve got you covered there, too. Whenwe chattedas a group about some of our favorites, the beautiful diversity of the designs stood out, from romantic dresses and minimalist bags to grunge knits and edgy jewelry.
Before we get to the designer spotlights below, it’s also important to acknowledge the heartbreaking and horrifyingincrease in attacks against Asians. A couple of resources we’d like to recommend are the Stop AAPI Hate organization, where you can report any incidents you witness, and theHate Is a Virus community, which aims to combat racism and xenophobia.
(Image credit: @yuhanwangyuhan)
The Vibe: Modern Marie Antoinette gone weird (in a good way).
The Designer: Yuhan Wang was born in China and trained in New York and London. Her graduate collection from Central Saint Martins debuted at London Fashion Week in February 2018. Before starting her brand, she interned at JW Anderson and Oscar de la Renta.
Our picks:
Yuhan Wang
Floral-Print Topstitched Denim Top
Just gorgeous.
Yuhan Wang
Floral-Print Tiered Denim Skirt
Don't mind me. I'm just dreaming of this skirt.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Sandy Liang; PICTURED: Spring/Summer 2023 Collection)
The Vibe:Skater girl meets indie darling.
The Designer:Sandy Liang grew up in Queens, New York. She went to school at Parsons and interned at 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jason Wu, and Opening Ceremony. The designer often quotes her Chinese heritage as design inspiration and cast her grandmother to star in the shoot for her first collection.
Our picks:
Sandy Liang
Seal Top
So pretty yet so cool, this top is the best of both worlds.
Sandy Liang
Clover Skort
Cool skorts have become a signature of the brand.
(Image credit: @perverze_official)
The Vibe:Grunge art-school dropout.
The Designers: Perverze is created by acollective of anonymous Japanese designers. The brand is only sold online(a retail model that's very unusual in Japan), which adds to its mysterious reputation.
Our picks:
Perverze
Tiny Rib Cropped Vest
This sheer vest is a head-turner.
Perverze
Eco Bio Washed Denim-Bias Line Skirt
A seriously cool denim skirt to add to our casual outfits.
(Image credit: @yanyanknits)
The Vibe:Colorful knitwear that's having way more fun than you.
The Designers:Phyllis Chan, theformer Rag & Bone director of knitwear, partnered with Hong Kong designerSuzzie Chung to create YanYan in 2019. The friends live together in Hong Kong and draw inspiration from their lives in New York and Hong Kongwhen designingtheir knitwear, with nods to their heritage.
Our picks:
Yanyan
Netty Open Stitch Crop Cardigan
The cropped top of our dreams.
Yanyan
Stripe Linen Wrap Sweater Skirt
You can just feel the love that went into this piece.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Peter Do; PICTURED: Spring/Summer 2023 Collection)
The Vibe:Exquisitely tailored pieces that are sleek and minimal yet packed with point of view.
The Designer:Do launched his namesake brand in 2017 after working under Phoebe Philo and Derek Lam. The Vietnamese designer lives and works in New York and quickly amassed celebrity fans, including Zendaya and Solange Knowles.
Our picks:
Peter Do
Wrap-Detailed Shirt
A classic you'll wear forever.
Peter Do
Pleated Wrap Wide-Leg Pants
So chic.
(Image credit: @margesherwood_official)
The Vibe:Bags ranging from luxurious to cool and forward at a more accessible price point thancomparable designer bags.
The Designers: Korea-baseddesign duo Sungeun Um and Soonyoung Kim infuse a sense ofretro glamour into their line(the brand's namesake is Gwyneth Paltrow's character inThe Talented Mr. Ripley) while still giving the collection a thoroughly modern feel.
Our picks:
Marge Sherwood
Medium Hobo Suede Shoulder Bag
For the fashion-forward minimalist.
Marge Sherwood
Bessette Leather Shoulder Bag
Such an eye-catching shape.
(Image credit: @lowclassic_seoul)
The Vibe:Sophisticated tailoring, lots of minimalist neutrals, always with a downtown-cool spin.
The Designer:Lee Myung Shin founded the Korea-based brand in 2009. With over a decade of experience refining the brand's aesthetic, the designer is known for churning outbeautiful pieces season after season.
Our picks:
Low Classic
Navy Rolled Cuff Jacket
Such a pretty jacket.
Low Classic
Gray Cocoon Jeans
Not your average jeans.
(Image credit: @_pattaraphan_)
The Vibe:Sculptural silver jewelry with a slight punk sensibility.
The Designer:Pattaraphan Salirathavibhaga is a Thailand- based designer who founded her company in 2018. She graduated from the Pratt Institute School of Design in 2017 with honors and is trained as a bench jeweler and artist.
Our picks:
Pattaraphan
Pressurized Earrings
Striking.
Pattaraphan
Two-Tone Nate Signet Ring
Two-tone jewelry, ftw.
(Image credit: @lvir_official)
The Vibe:Chic, effortless, menswear-inspired pieces forwhen you want to look grown yet cool.
The Designer:Ji Young co-founded the company in 2017 with her husband, Won Seob Lee. The duo is based in Korea.
Our picks:
Lvir
Cutout Ribbed-Knit Midi Dress
The kind of dress we'll be wearing all season.
Lvir
Convertible Gabardine Blazer
Lvirdoes tailoring so well.
(Image credit: @gu_de_official)
The Vibe:Seventies-inspired bags that check all theright boxes: lust-worthy materials, classic shapes, and a dash of personality.
The Designer: The South Korea–based brand is designed byJi Hye Koo. She majored in textile design in college and made shoes and bags as a hobby around the same time.Her pastime became her main focus with the support of Net-a-Porter's program for emerging designers.
Our picks:
Gu_de
Boh Leather Top Handle Bag
This silhouette is stunning.
Gu_de
Mini Love Raffia Bag
Perfect for summertime.
(Image credit: @j.kim)
The Vibe: One-of-a-kind, modern yet steeped in heritage.
The Designer: Russia-basedJenia Kim comes from a family of Korean emigrants from Uzbekistan. She studied at an art school first and then at the Moscow Carl Fabergé college of applied arts. Asian culture is an essential part of Kim's work.
Our picks:
J.Kim
Brown Metallic Rings Long Sleeve T-Shirt
This shirt is pure genius.
J.Kim
Green Flower Maxi Skirt
It's the cutout florals for me.
(Image credit: @osoi_official)
The Vibe:Architecturalbags and shoes that manage to feel classic,androgynous, and modern all at the same time.
The Designer: Established in 2017, the Korean-based brand focuses on giving utility and versatility a fashion-forward spin.
Our picks:
Osoi
Black Mini Toni Bag
This will go with practically everything in your closet.
Osoi
Blue Folder Brot Bag
Everyone will ask you where it's from.
Next up,30 AAPI Fashion Brands That Will Make You Want to Get Dressed Up Again
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