May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the U.S., which recognizes the contributions people of Asian, South Asian and Pacific Islander descent have made in American culture. The fashion industry in particular has been enriched by countless Asian brands, from innovators like Issey Miyake and Comme des Garçons, to up-and-comers like Commission and Lii, all of whom incorporate elements of their heritage into their designs in different ways. Here, a primer on some of our favorite Asian, South Asian, and Pacific Islander-owned brands from around the world to know and shop—now, and always.
Commission
This New York-based brand was established in 2018 by Dylan Cao and Jin Kay—designers who draw inspiration from the ways their Asian mothers dressed in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
Lii
Up-and-coming designer Zane Lii has proven he is one to watch in the fashion industry. After graduating from FIT in 2023, Lii debuted his first collection at New York Fashion Week in the fall of 2024—and caught the eyes of many with his structural twists on everyday basics.
Meuchner
Founded in 2022, Erin Meuchner’s chic fine jewelry label is designed for everyday wear. All pieces are made to order in New York City; you might recognize some from the film Past Lives, in which Greta Lee’s character wore a few baubles.
Issey Miyake
Issey Miyake’s signature pleating technique has inspired countless other designers since its inception in the early 1990s. Miyake passed away in 2022, but the brand is still going strong (and vintage Pleats Please pieces are treasured by collectors).
Sandy Liang
New York City-based Sandy Liang draws inspiration from her Chinese roots for her sporty-femme designs. Her ballerina-inspired Mary Janes have become a fashion girl favorite.
Hyein Seo
Drawing on his design background, the Antwerp-based Korean designer Hyein Seo puts a Y2K spin on technical fabrics for just the right amount of sporty spice.
Yuhan Wang
Yuhan Wang’s ethereal, artistic pieces are inspired by traditional Chinese ideas of femininity. But they’re never too sweet—even the designer’s floral cocktail dresses feel fabulously subversive and modern.
J.Kim
Jenia Kim’s collections for her brand, J.Kim, are rooted in traditional Korean garments, which she presents with a modern twist.
Rui
Known for her cutout knitwear, designer Rui Zhou makes wearable pieces that balance fragility and strength.
Anna Kikue
After showing her first collection as part of Chromat’s spring 2019 Saturation Show, Anna Kikue continues to create classic pieces with the right amount of edge, including custom wedding rings and bands.
Bad Binch Tongtong
New York-based Chinese fashion designer Terrence Zhou creates voluminous, body-hugging silhouettes that are truly one of a kind.
Comme des Garçons
Headed by designer Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons remains one of the biggest pioneering Japanese labels through its avant-garde codes and radical design choices.
Labucq
Half-Chinese designer Lauren Bucquet started her buzzy accessories line in 2018, after 10 years as the lead shoe designer for Rag & Bone.
Simone Rocha
Simone Rocha continues to pave the way for a “youthful, rebellious aesthetic” with ladylike embellishments that are always a welcome touch.
Junya Watanabe
Originally having studied under Rei Kawakubo at Comme des Garçons, Junya Watanabe learned much from his mentor and continues to create innovative pieces with complex tailoring.
Kijun
Inspired by the street style of ’80s and ’90s Seoul, Hyunwoo Kim and Myungjun Shin design everyday pieces with a twist.
SVNR
Chinese-American designer Christina Tung’s jewelry and accessory brand SVNR mixes natural materials with found objects to create pieces inspired by the color palette of Kyoto and traditional Indonesian porcelain.
Tank Air
Inspired by the strong women in her family, Claire Robertson-Macleod’s brand Tank Air is an ode to her Thai and English heritage. The brand offers simple sustainable basics that have been worn by the likes of Bella Hadid and the Kardashians.
Tae Park
Founded by Brooklyn-based designer Taehee Park, Tae Park’s designs are reminiscent of romantic, vintage silhouettes combined with Park’s Southeast Asian roots.
Anna Sui
New York City-based designer Anna Sui created her namesake label in 1981, and continues to stay in the conversation for contemporary designers. Sui creates pieces that feel nostalgic yet innovative, all while filled with hints of rock and romance.
Ashlyn
Drawing on her experience at Yohji Yamamoto and Calvin Klein, Korean designer Ashlynn Park’s designs feature strong tailoring and silhouettes as well as a firm zero-waste ethos.
LỰU ĐẠN
Lu’u Dan, Vietnamese for “dangerous man,” is a menswear label started by Kwaidan Editions designer Hung La. The brand’s designs are sleek and minimalist, with subtle nods to Japanese streetwear.
Allina Liu
After putting in time at The Row, Rebecca Taylor, and J.Crew, Allina Liu set off on her own to create chic, girly clothing that allows you to embrace your inner child.
Katkim
Katherine Kim is no stranger when it comes to diamonds. The L.A.-based designer creates fine jewelry that blends timelessness with unexpected silhouettes.
Chet Lo
An esteemed graduate of Central Saint Martins, Chet Lo is an Asian American designer who explores futuristic textures in knitwear.
Dauphinette
New York-based designer Olivia Cheng launched her label Dauphinette in 2018, and is best known for her jewelry and chainmaille pieces that incorporate actual fruits and flowers. While the brand now produces a select amount of ready-to-wear, Dauphinette continues to push the boundaries on upcycling and has since been recognized by the Met Museum’s Costume Institute for her innovation.
Grace Gui
Chinese American knitwear designer Grace Gui goes the extra mile when producing her handmade pieces. Gui sources her materials from independent farmers, and she even raises her own silk worms in Brooklyn with the intention of creating pieces that speak to her heritage.
Grace Ling
Born in Singapore and based in New York, Grace Ling founded her eponymous label with 3-D printing and CGI technology at its core. In 2022, the brand was selected for Net-a-porter’s Vanguard Program and was featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibition In America: A Lexicon in Fashion.
Ouer
Founded by the Chinese Canadian duo Jeremy Ho and Peter Hu, Ouer is a menswear label whose garments reflect the life experiences of both designers. Each piece is created with the intent to make the wearer feel a special sense of comfort and fabulousness.
Vowels
Vowels is an NYC-based brand that creates gender-fluid basics designed with the highest-quality fabrics and materials sourced in Japan. Their brick-and-mortar space also serves as a research library filled with a curated selection of archival art books and fashion magazines available by appointment only.
Meruert Tolegen
Nominated this year as a 2025 LVMH Prize semifinalist, Meruert Tolegen is a New York City-based designer who creates Victorian-esque pieces filled with nods to her Kazakh culture.
Stand Oil
Inspired by oil paintings, Stand Oil is a South Korean accessories brand that blends art with modern minimalism. Each piece is created with the dual purpose of functionality and versatility.
Anita Ko
Anita Ko is renowned for her timeless pieces, which remain versatile for any occasion. Ko was the 2023 recipient of the Gem Awards Jewelry Designer of the Year award.
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