Fabulous Asian-American-Founded Fashion Brands to Discover This AAPI Heritage Month
May is Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, and we're spending the month learning more about our favorite AAPI-founded brands.
If you love fashion and style, there's a wealth of iconic Asian-American-founded brands to discover, whether you're hunting for dresses, jewelry, athleisure or anything else. Ready to discover your favorite new AAPI-owned labels? Just keep scrolling.
CEO Active
Activewear brand CEO Active was founded by Victoria My Nguyen, the first-generation daughter of Vietnamese immigrant parents, with an emphasis on empowering wearers. All of her pieces are designed to be as versatile as the powerful women who wear them, with designs that are flattering, comfy and flexible enough to wear anywhere.
(via CEO Active)
Also read about: CEO Active Founder Victoria Nguyen Shares the Ethos Behind Her Viral Activewear Brand
JAMIL
Madiha Dhanani's JAMIL womenswear line is a reflection of her dual identity as an American woman and the daughter of Pakistani immigrants, infusing South Asian culture into her flawless looks. The brand blends traditional aesthetics with more modern, extra-wearable designs, and we haven't seen anything quite like it.
(via JAMIL)
NOTTE Jewelry
Chinese-American designer Jessica Tse is the creative mind behind NOTTE, transforming her previous role as an accessories trend director into an iconic accessory brand. Her pieces are colorful, whimsical and thoughtfully made, with fans including everyone from Bella Hadid and Sabrina Carpenter to Olivia Rodrigo, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat and many more.
(via NOTTE Jewelry)
SVNR
SVNR is a unique accessory brand combining ethics and aesthetics using re-used, upcycled and found materials for their handmade pieces and developed by Chinese-American fashion maven Christina Tung. The name is based on the word "souvenir," referencing thought and memory, as well as representations of our own journeys in life, and the brand's iconic jewelry pieces are equally unforgettable.
(via SVNR)
Stay Golden HI Jewelry
Aliya Chen was born in China before moving to Hawaii at the age of 3, where she later developed her TikTok-viral brand, Stay Golden HI Jewelry. The brand is known for its on-trend jewelry pieces, which are hypoallergic and waterproof while remaining stylish and always affordable.
(via Stay Golden HI Jewelry)
Also read about: How Aliya Chen's Love of Jewelry and the Beach Inspired Her Brand, Stay Golden HI
Azra Mehdi Jewelry
Growing up in India, Azra Mehdi saw gold jewelry as a sign of love and empowering women. She moved to the U.S. for college at the age of 17, beginning her professional career as an attorney before focusing on her love for jewelry design in her late 20s. Her goal was to create the elegant yet effortless pieces she wanted to wear as a busy working woman, and thus, Azra Mehdi Jewelry was born.
(via Azra Mehdi Jewelry)
BONBONWHIMS
Chances are that you've seen the playful and colorful Y2K-inspired jewelry brand BONBONWHIMS on social media—and you have creator Clare Ngai to thank. She moved from Hong Kong to the U.S. at 18 to study journalism, working in fashion and digital marketing and making jewelry as a hobby before it blossomed into the massive brand it is today, with fans including Kylie Jennifer, Demi Lovato and so many more.
(via BONBONWHIMS)
Also read about: Clare Ngai on the Unusual Story Behind Her Mega-Viral Y2K-Inspired Jewelry Brand, BONBONWHIMS
AMYO
Korean-American designer Gina Nam grew up in a family of jewelers, recognizing the waste that can be inherent in the industry and deciding to do something about it with her own brand, AMYO. Rather than chasing the trends (which can result in lower quality pieces and more waste), the brand focuses on timeless and evergreen styles with minimalist designs and affordable price points.
(via AMYO)
Curious about Asian-American-owned food brands? Click HERE to discover some of our favorites.