49 AAPI Fashion Designers and Brands Changing the Industry

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Ask someone to name an Asian-American designer, and chances are they’ll begin with one of the two who have been famous since the 1980s: Anna Sui or Vera Wang. The pair's groundbreaking presence went on to shape a second wave of designers, all of whom rose to prominence in the mid- to late-’00s and whose names might also come to mind. Brands like Jason Wu, Altuzarra, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Naeem Khan, Opening Ceremony, and Prabal Gurung have dressed celebrities and first ladies and established themselves as role models for a new generation of budding creatives.

You could say we’re now firmly in wave three, as the number of Asian-American–helmed labels has grown exponentially, thanks in part to earlier generations who incrementally increased our visibility. From buzzy new luxury lines like Peter Do to gender-fluid, sustainable streetwear-meets-media labels like Bobblehaus, these brands combine millennial and Gen Z sensibilities to rethink what it means to be Asian-American or Pacific Islander. Read on for 49 fashion and accessories brands to know and support.

Right now, no one has more buzz than Peter Do (shown at right with rapper Johnny Suh at the 2022 Met Gala). The designer's eponymous label—which he co-founded with friends Lydia Sukato, Vincent Ho, An Nguyen, and Jessica Wu—has cultivated a devoted following for its sleek, luxe creations. Do is Vietnamese, and his minimalist pieces tend to reference his cultural heritage and upbringing. They’re highly desirable, and the fashion world has taken notice—it was just announced he’ll be pulling double duty as creative director at Helmut Lang.

Before Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia took over at Oscar de la Renta, they started their own label, Monse, in 2016 and now oversee both. The brand quickly became a fashion favorite, best known for knits and athleisure-inspired pieces. Now it counts Nicki Minaj and Daisy Ridley among its fans.

If you’re a minimalist who loves the Row, Deveaux will be a welcome addition to your wardrobe. Andrea Tsao and Matthew Breen originally founded the brand as a menswear label, but gained buzz in 2017 when they brought on street-style photographer Tommy Ton to helm the womenswear line. Their runway shows are a perennial favorite, mainly due to their diverse casting of men and women of all ages, races, and body shapes.

Founded by designer Wei Lin and Zoe Champion, PH5 features sustainable knits in colorful, architectural shapes. Their wavy hem has become a brand signature. A favorite of Gemma Chan's, PH5 has collaborated with the likes of Kith and Fitbit.

You know your brand is big when Naomi Osaka is collaborating with it. Designer Hanako Maeda of Adeam splits her time between Tokyo and New York and describes her approach as "East meets West." Her clothes combine traditional techniques and sleek, modern silhouettes, with a dash of kawaii cuteness to keep things from getting too serious.

Many have imitated Rui Zhou's work for her namesake line Rui, but few can come close to her skill at making sexy knits that look like they’re barely threaded together. The body-positive line made a splashy debut at New York Fashion Week in 2018 and now counts the likes of Dua Lipa and Jennie from Blackpink as fans.

Filipino-American Rhuigi Villaseñor rose to prominence through his brand Rhude, best known for colorful printed shirts and neutral drop-crotch sweats. He was appointed creative director of Bally in January 2022, but recently stepped down, leaving industry observers full of curiosity about what he’ll do next.

What do you get when you mix ’90s nostalgia with a dash of Chinese grandma style? The result is Sandy Liang's eponymous brand: whimsical, feminine pieces that are often modeled by her own popo. The brand has exploded in popularity thanks to Liang's delicate dresses, ballet flats, and rosette hair accessories.

In Asian countries, drugs tend to be both illegal and highly taboo, but Dae Lim aims to change that with his line Sundae School. Inspired by cannabis culture, the fleeces, tees, and shorts have tongue-in-cheek references to his Korean upbringing, as well as clever nods to religion. The brand also has its own array of pre-rolls and edibles, sold in California.

New York–born Chet Lo might be located in London now, but his knits reflect his eclectic Chinese-American upbringing; he draws inspiration from everything from durian to anime. The spiky designs have become a Gen Z favorite, as seen on Doja Cat and Willow.

Diana Tsui is a stylist and writer living in New York City. She also writes for The New York Times, W, Elle, and more. Previously she was the senior market editor at New York Magazine's The Cut.

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