An Asian Wave

Posted by Kathleen

on September 15, 2008

It’s long been known that Asia is a huge style and design influence (Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake, and Comme des Garcons anyone?), but a new influx of American-born Asian designers have been steadily showing up every year at Fashion Week breathing new air into the American fashion scene.

You may have heard of some of these names (a number of the ones below were featured as designers to watch in the Vanity Fair issue with Carla Bruni on the cover), seen them on the racks at Barneys or Bergdorf Goodman, and some of them may be new to you…but either way, keep these designers on the radar and ready to be stocked in your closet!

The Cool Kid: Alexander Wang. Already drawing comparisons to Marc Jacobs, maybe because of his rebel-sexy tough style or maybe because he recently had Foxy Brown perform at his afterparty and Marc Jacobs: Lil’ Kim :: Alexander Wang: Foxy Brown (a little impromptu fashion SAT analogy), this designer is already a favorite of celebrities ranging from Lindsay Lohan to Ashlee Simpson. As he told Women’s Wear Daily, he draws “inspiration from bad boys, rebels and graffiti artists,” and is reflected in the strong, rugged, sexy tomboy edge to his clothes. Famous muse? Model Erin Wasson.

The Next Oscar de la Renta and Political Favorite: Thakoon. In the press most recently because Michelle Obama chose to wear his floral Radmizir kimono dress from his pre-Spring 2009 collection to the Democratic National Convention, Thakoon has an affinity for floral prints, having featured a variation of them every season since his Spring 2007 collection. His looks are polished and he likes a playful silhouette, often favoring a puffed, ladylike sleeves, featuring a whimsical “lady who lunches” with a girly side.

The Next American Sportswear Designer: Peter Som. Trained as an architect, his love for clean lines is reflected in his clean-cut, no fuss sportswear and are the type of refined, elegant clothes you can imagine on socialite Brooke Astor from back in the day. Pulling double duty, in addition to designing his own line, he was also appointed as Head Designer for another American sportswear icon, Bill Blass.

The Doll Designer: Jason Wu. Prior to the launch of his inaugural collection, he was best known as the designer of the RuPaul and Amanda Lepore dolls. Unsurprisingly, his collections have shown a lovely, reserved, Grace Kelly influence that is quickly becoming a favorite of the Park Avenue socialite set.

The New Contemporary Designer : Hanii Y. Formerly of the line Y&Kei, designer Hanii Yoon just showed her first collection at New York Fashion Week SP09. Her collection is already available at stores like Barneys and is already favorite of mine for her feminine, ladylike looks featuring embroidery detailing.

Source for Top Photos