Might is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to rejoice the wealthy historical past, tradition, and contributions of Asian Individuals 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 is a Taiwanese-American dressmaker who rose to fame within the early 2000s. Wang launched his eponymous label in 2007, and since then, he has change into recognized for his edgy, minimalist designs. Wang has gained a number of awards all through his profession, together with the CFDA/Vogue Vogue Fund in 2008 and the Swarovski Award for Womenswear in 2009.

VERA WANG

Vera Wang is a Chinese language-American dressmaker who’s finest recognized for her bridal put on. Wang started her profession as a determine skater earlier than transitioning to trend design. She labored for Vogue journal for a number of years earlier than beginning her personal bridal line in 1990. At this time, Vera Wang is likely one of the most well-known and profitable bridal designers on the planet.

PHILLIP LIM

Phillip Lim is a Cambodian-American dressmaker who launched his eponymous label in 2005. Lim’s designs are recognized for his or her clear strains, 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 a Nepalese-American dressmaker 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 is a Taiwanese-Canadian dressmaker 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 change 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 Teng is a Malaysian-born dressmaker 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 is an Indian-American dressmaker 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

Thakoon Panichgul is a Thai-American dressmaker 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 Vogue Fund Award.

KINI ZAMORA

Kini Zamora is a Hawaiian dressmaker who is understood for his up to date 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 Greatest Designer of the Yr Award on the Honolulu Vogue Week in 2014.

HIROAKI OHYA

Hiroaki Ohya is a Japanese-American dressmaker 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 Vogue Group Worldwide Rising Star Award in 2015.

YUKI MATSUDA

Yuki Matsuda is a Japanese-American dressmaker and the founding father of the heritage-inspired model, Yuketen. His designs are characterised by their traditional and timeless type, 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

Peter Do is a Vietnamese-American dressmaker 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 rapidly gained a following for his modern 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 Vogue Fund in 2020.

ASHLYNN PARK

Ashlynn Park is a Seoul-born, New York-based dressmaker recognized for her up to date but elegant designs that usually function intricate particulars and distinctive textures. After finding out trend design at Parsons Faculty of Design, Park launched her eponymous label in 2016 and rapidly 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?