Famous Chinese-Americans in
Fashion Design and Modeling
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Who |
What |
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周仰杰
Jimmy Choo
b. 1961, Penang |
A London based fashion designer known for his high fashion women’s shoes and handbags. A Malaysian of Chinese descent, Choo
initially handcrafted his own shoes and bags. Both of Choo’s parents were shoemakers
and taught him the craft. He graduated in 1983 from Cordwainers' Technical College in
London, now part of the London College of Fashion. Choo’s shoes are known worldwide, and he has a celebrity clientele including
Nicole Richie, Katie Holmes, and the late Princess Diana. |
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Ellery J. Chun
b. 1909, Honolulu, HI
d. 2000, Honolulu, HI |
Inventor of the "Aloha shirt" such as
these
. Ellery was the son of a Chinese dry goods merchant.
He graduated from Yale in 1931 with a degree in Economics. After returning home, he changed
the family store into a clothing store and started selling the colorful shirts, initially
using remnants from kimono fabrics. Eventually he named his shirts the "Aloha shirt" and
used the island-based motifs that made them popular with locals and visiting Hollywood
celebrities. Ellery eventually closed the store and became a bank vice president. |
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Derek Lam
b. 1967, San Francisco |
An American fashion designer. He studied at the Parsons School of Design. After graduation, Lam worked under
Michael Kors for 12 years. Lam’s clothes, like Kors’ reinvent American sportswear. He
launvched his own line in 2003. Lam’s clothes have clean silhouettes in feminine fabrics.
He also has a line of jewelry and shoes. He has many fashion design awards, including the CFDA Perry Ellis Swarovski Award. |
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Phillip Lim
b. 1973 |
An American fashion designer. Lim is noted for his feminine streamlined clothes and his attention to detail.
He currently sells his clothes under the label 3.1 Phillip Lim. He launched his collection
is 2004 and found immediate success. Lim says his clothes “make them feel respectful, yet, desirable all at the same time.” |
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Peter Som |
A fashion designer who has dressed celebrities such as Mandy Moore, Claire Danes, Scarlett Johanssen, and more.
His clothes have been described as effortless, clean, and luxurious. Som first studied
art history at Connecticut College and then graduated from the Parsons School of Design.
He worked for some of the best known designers, such as Calvin Klein, Bill Blass and
Michael Kors before launching hisnown collection in 1999, for which he received
praise from buyers and critics. In 2007, he became Creative Director for Bill Blass. |
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Anna Sui
b. 1955, Dearborn, MI |
International fashion designer. She studied
at NY's Parsons School of Design. She opened her first boutique in New York in
1995, later opening an additional stores in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Osaka. In
addition to clothing, her lines now include shoes and cosmetics. |
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譚燕玉
Vivienne
Tam
b. 1957, Guangzhou |
International fashion designer. She moved to New York after graduating from
Hong Kong's Polytechnic Fashion School. She has boutiques in New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Kobe.
She authored "China Chic", a book on Chinese style from fashion to food to home decor. |
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譚曼玲
Ling Tang
b. 1974, Malaysia |
First supermodel of Chinese ancestry. She has modeled for major designers and featured in major ads. She was
photographed by Richard Avedon for a Pirelli Calendar. She is represented by agencies in New York and Paris. |
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冼書瀛
Zang Toi
b. 1961, Malaysia |
Fashion designer famous for his use of color. His designs are favored by many Hollywood stars. Toi graduated from
NY's Parsons School of Design. He opened his own boutique in 1989. In 1997, he was awarded a knighthood by the Sultan of Malaysia. Toi
commissions original music pieces for his fashion shows. |
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Vera Wang
b. 1949, New York City |
Fashion designer best known for her wedding dresses. She started her career
as a fashion editor for Vogue magazine. After failing to find a
suitable wedding dress for her own wedding, she designed one herself. Later she
opened her own bridal boutique, initially selling dresses from other designers
but later own she launching her own line of wedding dresses. She got
international exposure from the dresses she designed for skater Nancy Kerrigan,
who wore them to the 1994 Olympics.(Interesting note: As a teen, Wang had
competed professionally as a skater in the US National Competition).
She wrote " Vera Wang on Weddings". |
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Sue Wong
b. 1949, China |
A fashion designer based in Los Angeles. Sue was born in rural Communist China, moved with her family to
Hong Kong and eventually to the United States at the age of 6. Wong was never formally
trained in fashion design, yet her design talent led to her success. Sue Wong designs
contemporary and glamorous dresses. Her clothes are inspired by the history of fashion, with inspirations from the 1890’s to 1970’s. Wong’s
clothes are sold in specialty boutiques. |
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