Although New York Fashion Week has wrapped up, more Asian designers than ever have caught the public’s eye. The number of Asian and Asian American designers gaining recognition in the U.S. have increased in the past year, with 16 of the 72 New York Fashion Week shows being presented by Asian or Asian American designers. Of the designers that we came across, here are five of our favorites.
- Lie Sang Bong
Whenever Lie Sang Bong speaks about fashion, he expresses himself eloquently and memorably. “One good thing about being a fashion designer is that you can live in different ages, combine even oppositional ideas and techniques to create something that is both contemporary and useful,” Lie said.
Lie’s goal as a designer is to push fashion forward while nodding to the past. Before coming into the fashion industry, Lie was very much into literature and acting. Lie began his career by creating couture garments for private clients, then founded LIE SANGBONG in 1985. Lie has had various collaborations with LG, Samsung and even Chivas Regal, a whiskey brand.
Why We Love This Outfit:
Lie Sang Bong’s S/S 2016 collection is filled with intricate architectural designs with the colors of white, black and multiple shades of blue. This outfit caught our interest because we like the fresh take on Oxford shirts, or button-ups in general. We would love to try pulling the shirt off with a pair of jeggings or pants of a contrasting color and be ready to go.
- Prabal Gurung
One of Prabal Gurung’s biggest concerns is losing touch with reality. He surged to stardom in Feb. 2009, with the launch of his eponymous label, and his life has revolved around bi-annual runway shows, ad campaigns and the Met Gala ever since. But he stays true to his roots. Singapore-born, but raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, the fashion designer jumped into action to aid earthquake relief efforts for Nepal. His S/S 2016 fashion show was inspired by his love for his home country. In a letter he released on the eve of his fashion show, he said, “I felt helpless halfway around the world, and I was compelled to do something beyond raising money for my foundation, I wanted the world to experience a glimpse of what Nepal means to me.”
Why We Love This Outfit:
This body-hugging dress is both feminine, with its hourglass shape, and edgy, with its bold graphic prints. It stays true to the color scheme of orange, yellow and red, in accordance to the colors on monks’ clothing. The aesthetic is also reminiscent of style of the Cold War era. Man from U.N.C.L.E., anyone?
- Josie Natori
The inspiration for Josie Natori’s big break into fashion in 1977 was an embroidered Filipino blouse. At the suggestion of a Bloomingdale’s buyer, she turned her blouse into a nightshirt. At that time, lingerie was either lewd or frumpy, and Natori filled the void by making lingerie stylish. Fashion was an unexpected path for Natori. At a young age, she was interested in piano, then later moved to the U.S. to get an economics degree and work on Wall Street.
Why We Love this Outfit:
For her S/S 2016 show, the Filipino American designer produced a line of evening wear influenced by Chinese art. The sleek white top and black, speckled pants make a clean look. The modernized kimono turns the outfit from simple to striking. Painted brushstrokes accentuate the kimono. We love how this look seems ready to be worn to any occasion.
- Kathleen Hanhee Kye
Kathleen Hanhee Kye is a graduate of the Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design of the University of the Arts London. Her brand, KYE, is known for its high-end streetwear and is currently a favorite amongst many K-Pop idols. The South Korean designer first debuted her collection during London’s 2011 Fashion Week and has been doing so every season since. In 2012, she participated in Concept Korea with other notable designers for New York Fashion Week.
Why We Love This Outfit:
This outfit is simple yet bold, playful yet mature. It uses the colors of light pink and white in an asymmetrical way, with the words HATE emblazoned on the arm sleeve and shorts. The typography of the lettering gives off a cartoon-like vibe. We gravitated toward Kye because of her K-Pop-esque aesthetic. We’re sure to see some K-Pop idols wearing some of her new S/S 2016 collection in the near future.
- Tadashi Shoji
Inclusivity is Tadashi’s mission statement. It is his belief that “every woman, regardless of size and shape, deserves to feel confident, comfortable and gorgeous.” When he moved to L.A. in the 70s, he noticed that women didn’t have many options when it came to special occasion dresses. As a result, he launched the Tadashi Shoji collection in 1982. In 2007, he debuted his high-end designs on Fashion Week to rave reviews.
Why We Love This Outfit:
We absolutely love this sweater. It’s an interesting design, with the cross-hatching and embroidered plum blossoms. The flowing tulle skirt continues with the monochromatic scheme. Both the top and bottom could stand out on their own, but they pair up nicely. We also noted the model is wearing sandals, an interesting choice. This is both a feminine and modern look, and out of all the outfits from each designer that we picked, this was our favorite.
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Written by Thalia Su & Ashley Nguyen
Photos courtesy of nyfw.com