May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and as such, it is an especially important opportunity to support brands that are crafted, designed, and founded by people of AAPI descent. Here we’ve rounded up of some of the most stylish and fabulous AAPI beauty, fashion, jewelry, and accessory brands to shop and support now and forever.
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Sandy Liang
A native of Bayside, Queens, Sandy Liang’s collections touch on her Chinese heritage while also fusing playful tomboyish separates.
Prabal Gurung
Beloved by the red carpet set, this Nepalese fashion designer is known for his innovative designs which are produced primarily local to NYC.
Jason Wu
The Taiwanese-born designs are known for their sophistication and intricate crafting.
Adeam
The ultra-wearable and fashion forward designs from Adeam are the work of Tokyo-born designer Hanako.
Altuzarra
Former winner of the 2014 CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year Award, Altuzarra’s collections are best known for their fresh feminine spin on classic tailoring.
Anna Sui
The ’90s babydoll dress was practically invented by the perennially relevant Anna Sui.
Nells Nelson
Ultra-wearable knits and suiting are the name of the Nells Nelson game, for those who lean toward comfortable separates and sets.
Peter Do
Youthful and fresh, Peter Do made a name for himself working for the likes of both Derek Lam and Phoebe Philo.
Commission
Design trio Huy Luong, Dylan Cao, and Jin Kay sought to re-envision their Asian heritage through western dressing sculptures, modifying cuts from the 80s that their mothers used to wear.
Opening Ceremony
Opening Ceremony emerged on the scene in 2002, with their own fresh contemporary designs and also retail for other designers.
Derek Lam
Born into a family that specialized in design, Lam launched his own brand known for sophisticated feminine silhouettes fused with a relaxed sensibility.
Thakoon
Thai-American designed Thakoon specializes in modern capsule wardrobe staples with a touch of elevated luxury.
Nette
Former fashion and beauty editor, Carol Han Pyle, has created Nette – a new candle that burns cleaner and better and will have all your friends asking, “what is that smell?”, in a good way
Delaroq
NYC-based designer Jennifer Lyu’s collection of accessories are grounded in sustainability by using only excess materials.
Deveaux
Originally a menswear collection, Deveaux’s streetwear (designed by Matthew Breen and Andrea Tsao) seeks to recontextualize classic items through fit, fabrication, and silhouette.
Issey Miyake
If there is anything Tokyo-born designer Issey Miyaki is known for, it’s her technologically forward designs and signature pleating.
Superegg
Vegan and plant-based formulations are how Superegg made their name—they’re even made to match an egg’s nutritional value. Egg has played a role in many Asian beauty practices throughout history, which founder Erica Choi sought to reflect.
JINsoon
JinSoon Choi’s eponymous nail collection (and salons in NYC) take high-tech polish fused with fashion-forward colors, to render her one of the most successful nail artists in the game.
Bibhu Mohapatra
Mohapatra grew up on the east Indian coast, and his designs reflect those sumptuous and colorful textures—particularly in evening wear and cocktail dresses.
Seree
Founded by a women-led team in NYC, the jade, agate, quartzite, and unique jewels made by Seree are ethically sourced across Asia and given a modern twist.
Naturium
Upgrade your skincare routine with Naturium’s high-performance line of products.
Rael
Rael is reinventing the feminine care game with a range of organic products using a holistic approach to that time of the month.
Naeem Khan
Indian American fashion designer Naeem Khan is known for his intricate evening wear and gowns.
Memorial Day
Crochet clothes and accessories worn by the likes of Ella Emhoff is made by FIT student Delsy Gouw.
evolvetogether
Founded on the principals of do good, live well evolvetogether focuses on helping our environment and each other through social justice initiatives.
Snow Xue Gao
Parsons graduate Snow Xue Gao focuses on East-meets-West and mixed media with her up-and-coming collection.
Paper Project
Paper Project’s speciality is clothing that is both comfortable and functional—and made from Japanese paper yarn, a practice that has been used in Japan for centuries.
Air Pop
Air Pop’s masks were designed to protect from not only airborne pathogens but also anthropogenic and ecological airborn threats too.
Chunks
Chunks’ quirky and colorful accessories are responsibly made through a partnership with a Chinese manufacturer started by Seattle-based brand founder Tiffany Ju.
Pattaraphan
Pattaraphan’s brand mission is to work with Thai artisans and ethically sourced materials to create unpretentious jewelry that is reflective of Thai craftmanship.
Nana Jacqueline
LA-based contemporary collection, founded by two Chinese women, Nana and Jacqueline, aims to create a dual sense of lightness and bold sexiness with women’s clothing.
V Coterie
Dr. Lynna Van Merkey founded V Coterie as a means of creating thoughtfully designed jewels that are made to be easily worn by healthcare professionals—artfully made jewels for those who care.
Bonbon Whims
Founded by Clare Ngai, Bonbon Whims helps underserved communities that are supported by organizations such as GirlTrek, Send Chinatown Love, and Stop AAPI Hate, with whimsical and and nostalgic jewels.
The Woobles
The Woobles crochet kits for beginners give users everything they need to make handmade gifts for loved ones.
CJW
Hand illustrated accessories and loungewear are founder Christina’s playful manifesto, at a friendly price point.
JW Pei
JW Pei specializes in ethical and sustainable vegan accessories with a modern and minimal aesthetic.
Notte
Founder Jessica Tse designs jewelry that is a quirky blend of New York taste and dolce vita wanderlust.
Ookioh
Made out of regenerated materials, Ookioh’s swimwear is inspired by the pleasure-seeking lifestyle of Edo-era Japan.
Rastah
Rastah was founded to support underserved artisans, designers, and technical workers in the subcontinent.
SVNR
Ethics meets aesthetics with Christina Tung’s SVNR, whose brand focuses on re-used, upcycled, and natural materials.
Abacaxi
Abacaxi specializes in mindfully-made and boldly colored clothing that is inspired by travel, designed by South Asian American Sheena Sood.
Pink Moon
Founded by Lin Chen, Pink Moon is a sustainable beauty and wellcare brand that specializes in providing products for women at all phases of life.
R0AM
ROAM has carved out a space in the footwear with their cool and sporty designs that are casual and elevated.
Kim Shui
A truly global transplant, with parents from Beijing and Sichuan and having grown up between the US and Rome, Kim Shui’s design is a reflection of the ability to assimilate diverse techniques into a clothing collage.
Private Policy
Genderless silhouettes and high quality fabrics combined with classic shapes for clothes that are both tactile and visually fun are the Private Policy signature.
KÚR
Designer Kasuni Rathnasuriya embraces the heritage and style of old Ceylon to incorporate artisanal handmade lace to contemporary design with two main collections each year.
Senreve
Designed in NYC and crafted in Italy, Senreve is known for accessories made for a modern and professional woman.
Wishbone
Wishbone’s relaxed contemporary line was created to help aid the drug epidemic by supporting drug prevention non-profits and organizations.
Sundae School
Based in NYC, Sundae School is a brand of boutique smokewear.
3.1 Phillip Lim
Street elegance is the name of the game for Philip Lim’s eponymous line, which first hit the scene in 2005.
Prim Botanicals
Prim Botanicals (founded by a Filipino-born New York native) makes delicious smelling skincare that is just as yummy as it is good for your complexion. And they’re members of 1% for the Planet, too.
Vera Wang
New York based designer Vera Wang is a fashion institution, known for exquisite red carpet gowns and bridal dresses.
Social-Work
NY-based Social-Work was founded around creating functional and androgynous designs, subverting classical styles, and workwear basics.
Chop Suey Club
Chop Suey is a downtown New York boutique which focuses on contemporary Chinese designs, arts, and culture, with the aim of making Chinese culture available to more audiences.
Grace Lee
Grace Lee designs everyday fine jewelry with ethical and conflict free diamonds made to be stacked and layered.
Neha Dani
Naja Dani is known for her jewels’ spectacular and sculptural movement in design.
Sanjay Kasliwal
A storied heritage of jewelry design is reflected in the spectacular gemstones in this designer’s repertoire.
Kamal
Kamal’s keepsake pieces are minimal and simply adorned—and meant to pass on.
Aaryah
Consciously crafted meaningful jewelry that is as reflective of the craftsman as it is the wearer.
Syna
Established in 2003, Dharmesh and Namrata Kothari, create fine jewelry focusing on little luxuries giving us meaningful, personal jewelry that is also unique.
Mizuki
Mizuki’s delicate pearl designs stand in a fresh and modern class of their own.
Ounce of Salt
Jen Oliak is a third generation jewelry committed to easing the search for quality fine jewelry by sourcing the best of the best to allow for a pleasant shopping experience.
Anita Ko
Anita Ko’s design ethos is feminine sophistication with a fresh twist—and an aim to be worn from day to day.
Milamore
Milamore creates unique designs inspired by nature, heritage, and living boldly.
Nam Cho
Nam Cho favors bright and fresh jewels and gemstones, for a presentation and design signature that is unlike anything on the market.
Kavant & Sharart
Designed and founded by a couple, Kavant & Sharart makes baubles that are made to not only reflect exquisite craftsmanship, but also the personality of the wearer, meant to be passed down through generations.
LMJ
Born in NYC and handmade in India, LMJ designs poetic pieces with naturally sourced diamonds and gemstones.
KATKIM
Katherine Kim is known for her simple design, clean designs, and unexpected silhouettes.
Yi Collection
Yi Guo’s will be donating 30% of proceeds from her latest Chinese Zodiac Collection to support fellow AAPI via AAPI Women Lead and CAAV.
Mejuri
Mejuri fine jewelry is famously without a markup, and made with selective materials that everyone can feel good about.
Her Place
Joyce Lee founded Her Place as a way to create a safe, sex-positive space for women of all cultures.
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