If you didn’t know much about how the Asian culture influenced fashion, just have a look at the back of one of your shirts, which will surely say “Made in China” or in Thailand, or India. However, the Asian heritage goes beyond what’s written on a T-shirt’s label. The fashion industry gathers many Asian designers. Looking back at how advancements in materials have worked for the fashion industry, silk was discovered in Asia. When it comes to Asia’s role in determining the face of fashion, its influence cannot be underestimated.
However, when you look at the directory with a full list of talented designers of today, you will notice that Asian names are not too many. In this article, we’ve decided to make up for this situation and celebrate the most famous designers from Asia who have changed the fashion industry.
Bibhu Mohapatra
Bibhu Mohapatra is the master of evening wear. He was born in India and specializes in making evening dresses. This is what brought him to the CDFA board and made him one of the most admired designers in India. Bibhu Mohapatra has even dressed Michelle Obama. His designs can be bought only online, and his talent surely does show what India can do in fashion.
Yohji Yamamoto
Yohji Yamamoto masters tailoring and is a Japanese design icon. His style is avant-garde, and he has been analyzing deconstructed androgynous pieces ever since the ‘70s. No other designer can take a traditional piece to the Met Gala like Yamamoto does. His pieces are often provocative and black, making everyone wonder if we really know who we are when it comes to what we are wearing.
Issey Miyake
Issey Miyake is from Hiroshima and one of the most original designers who has placed Asia in the center of the international fashion scene. After starting at Givenchy in the ‘80s, Miyake set the foundation of the Miyake Design Studio. He started experimenting with thinly plated designs, and these became his iconic pieces. After retiring, Miyake left Satoshi Kondo as the art director of his fashion brand.
Kenzō Takada
Kenzō Takada has led the industry of fashion for many years, even if the society didn’t agree with him being a fashion icon. He grew up in Tokyo, and for a long time, no one talked about his work in the fashion world, not until he moved to Paris, where he started his own brand. He disrupted many cultural norms with his work and, for 45 years, created collections that later became the industry’s center of attention. Takada was also one of the first designers to create over-the-top patterns with flowers in the European couture area. He died in October 2020, as one of the most prominent “outsiders” that made the Asian design integrate into the cultural front.
Humberto Leon and Carol Lim of Opening Ceremony
Humberto and Carol are one of the most powerful Asian fashion duo. Their work has entirely changed the way the fashion industry looks. In 2000s it was very difficult to make fashion more exploratory and make yourself some room on the Opening Ceremony stage. Leon and Lim have decided to no longer be creative directors at LVMH’s Kenzo brand and to focus on a label of their own. This way, they have made a real impact in fashion.
Joseph Altuzarra
Joseph Altuzarra is especially known for tailoring perfect feminine pieces. He was brought up in Paris and worked at Marc Jacobs, but also at Proenza Schouler. His pieces embody the French aesthetics with the pragmatism of the American girl. Joseph is Asian and creates fashion for any person, with any kind of background. It seems that all he wants is to make people feel special.
Prabal Gurung
Prabal Gurung is not interested in bringing his cultural roots to the front so that he can inspire more people. He also wants to uplift entire communities. He’s Nepalese American and based outside New York. What he’s trying to do is raise awareness of what’s going on in the world. His clothing is not only beautiful but also evokes the consciousness of the people. Prabal owns a foundation that helps Nepalese children who are undereducated to get jobs and eventually earn income.
Anna Sui
Anna Sui is not like other designers because she likes doing things in a different manner. She got fired with only $300 in savings, but she had friends like Steven Meisel and Pat McGrath who encouraged her. Besides, Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista have walked her runway. While Madonna wearing her pieces did indeed help, Sui made her way into new trends without being afraid to carve her own niche.
Vera Wang
All the brides in the world dream about wearing Vera Wang at their wedding. What they don’t know is that their favorite wedding dress designer hasn’t started her career in fashion. She wanted to dance on ice but didn’t make the Olympic team, so she got a job at Vogue. Soon after getting hired, she created her own wedding gown, turning her career into a success. Today, her pieces are cultural icons on the international fashion scene.
Derek Lam
Derek Lam has collections that spell the word polished. He was born in America and established his design business at 10 Crosby Street, just before he won the CFDA Swarovski Perry Ellis Award. Lam also worked for Michael Kors in the 90s. His present pieces are sure to last in time and remain in the memory of many fashion lovers.
Jason Wu
Jason Wu designed Michelle Obama’s dress for the 2009 inaugural ball. Ever since, he has turned into a real force and had his work at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, in the First Ladies Collection. Wu also collaborated with Eloquii, Target, Bergdorf, and Goodman.
Phillip Lim
Phillip Lim was a student of economics and business, but in 2005, he decided to start working with a few fashion houses. This helped him evolve in his career, as he has a style of balancing duality like no one else.
Sandy Liang
A young fashion icon, Sandy Liang started as an intern at Opening Ceremony, Philip Lim, and Jason Wu, until she decided to start a brand of her own. Her style is inspired by her grandmother and her roots and is worn mostly by New York subway girls.
Huishan Zhang
A Chinese talent, Huishan Zang is based in London and his style combines the Western and Eastern styles in classic pieces. He loves paying tributes to themes and silhouettes.
Han Chong of Self-Portrait
Self Portrait is one of the favorite brands of the Duchess of Sussex and Beyoncé. Han Chong, who was born in Malaysia, decided to start the brand back in 2013. He has pieces in the physical and fiscal area, which are usually worn at weddings.
Guo Pei
Guo Pei became the most famous when Rihanna wore one of her stunning yellow gowns at the 2015 Met Gala. Pei embodies the worlds of fairies and paintings, turning her pieces into real haute couture.
Laura Kim of Monse and Oscar de la Renta
Laura Kim is a Korean designer who won a CDFA scholarship and got asked by Oscar de la Renta to become his intern. She eventually partnered with Fernando Garcia and together, they launched Monse.
Chitose Abe of Sacai
Chitose Abe was a pattern maker for Comme des Garçons until she had a child and started to gradually build her own Sacai brand. Her pieces combine the disciplined Japanese texture with everyday life practicality.
Anaïs Jourden Mak
A global sensation, Anaïs Jourden Mak showcased her work in Ariana Grande’s video called 7 rings, but also on Emily Ratajkowski and Bella Hadid. Her pieces are very feminine and have a touch of pizzazz.
Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons
Raised in Tokyo, Rei is compared to Coco Chanel because she uses vanguard to explore every boundary of body, femininity, and gender. Rihanna wore one of her pieces at the Met Gala. Rei is a rebel that makes people think about her work for a very long time.
Which of the above designers made the most impact on the fashion industry, in your opinion?