Design by Yoora Kim
It’s been a tricky yr and a half for the AAPI group with anti-Asian hate crimes and racial harassment on the rise. Celebrities like Okay-Pop phenomenons BTS, Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee and “To All The Boys I’ve Ever Loved Before” actress Lana Condor have spoken out in opposition to anti-Asian hate, calling followers to condemn the violence and stand with their AAPI family and friends.
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Chriselle Lim spoke to Seventeen about how necessary Asian illustration is — particularly in such a tumultuous time. “Growing up and looking at media, I didn’t see anyone that looked like me, and I immediately just wanted to look not like me, so I didn’t look Asian. It’s so important that brands are able to show more Asian faces. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still so much more work.”
Chriselle is true — and it is particularly necessary to assist companies which might be uplifting the AAPI group by destigmatizing the dialog round psychological well being, like trend model Love, Bonito. Chriselle is working with the Southeast Asian firm to donate $20,000 to the Asian Mental Health Project, as a result of “even pre-pandemic, the Asian community was the least-likely ethnic group to access mental health treatments due to systemic barriers and stigma around mental health.” Chriselle tells us that “coupled with COVID-19 related racism, there’s a lot of shame, fear, and guilt. So it’s important to take actionable steps to create a better future for our community.”
When it comes to supporting Asian companies, Chriselle tells Seventeen that “the biggest way to support a community is putting money back into the community to allow for more opportunity and resources to fuel the next generation, [who will] hopefully live in a more equal society.”
Maybe you are already supporting the AAPI group each day by shopping for your boba from an area Asian-owned enterprise, stocking Asian-owned magnificence manufacturers, or watching motion pictures that inform AAPI tales, like Crazy Rich Asians or Seeing Red. Those are all nice steps — and you’ll hold voting together with your greenback by supporting entrepreneurs who’ve began Asian trend and accent labels, too. It does not harm that these AAPI-owned trend manufacturers make actually, actually cute clothes.
Don’t know the place to begin? We’ve put collectively a listing of the cutest gadgets to store from the trendiest Asian-owned trend manufacturers that ought to completely be in your radar for AAPI month and past!
Portions of this interview have been flippantly edited for readability.
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Not solely was Baggu based by an Asian American girl, Emily Sugihara, but it surely’s truly additionally considered one of our favourite eco-pleasant manufacturers. Emily realized that reusable luggage had been in all places in Japan lengthy earlier than they grew to become stylish in America, and created her personal sustainable bag model. Each Baggu bag folds right into a tiny little sq. you can toss into your backpack for everytime you would possibly want it!
Plus, you will not discover a cuter number of patterns wherever else.
Best Size-Inclusive Brand
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Size Range: XXS – 6XL
Girlfriend Collective was began by AAPI-founder Quang Dinh, who created the activewear model when he realized that his spouse could not discover environmentally-pleasant choices. We love their dedication to dimension-inclusivity *and* their capacity to supply exercise units within the cutest colours like, ever. All of their merchandise are ethically made, they usually even lately launched swimwear!
Celeb Favorite
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Have you spent hours scrolling by way of Pinterest and Instagram making an attempt to discover the place all the coolest influencers purchase their funky, colourful jewellery? Meet Bon Bon Whims. Started by AAPI founder Clare Ngai, the model does all the things from stretchy pearl rings to customized creations for Ariana Grande and Kylie Jenner. Trust me — you will need to put on these nostalgic assertion items each single day.
Price Range: $$
Size Range: XS – 3XL
Say it loud and proud! Asian American Girl Club is an attire firm that, in accordance to founder Ally Maki, set out “to celebrate, unify, and lead towards the normalization of Asian American women.” You can proudly show your heritage with their brand hoodies and pullovers. Even Mindy Kaling bought in on the motion!
There’s actually a spot for all of us on the market, and Asian American Girl Club exists to present AAPI ladies and guys that they are robust, multi-faceted, and by no means alone.
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JW Pei was based by husband and spouse duo Steph Li and Yang Pei again in 2017, and since then, their luggage have been noticed on the arms of fashions and trend influencers alike. The model boasts excessive-finish designs with out the $$$$ price ticket and makes use of vegan and recycled supplies to make its luggage. 😍
Price Range: $$
Size Range: 30AA – 40B
Jaclyn Fu and Lia Winograd began Pepper out of a necessity for bras designed for small boobs (learn: no gaping, cups that match correctly, no free bands). Pepper bras are particularly made to be snug, flattering, AND properly-becoming for AA to B cup chests.
The model’s web site boasts 1000’s of optimistic reviewers. One buyer raved, “I’ve never known what it feels like to have a bra that actually fits until I got this bra.”
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Size Range: XXS – XXL
Love, Bonito is a Southeast Asian model that sells clear, tailor-made fundamentals for constructing a flattering wardrobe on a finances. The model is partnering with Chriselle Lim and serving to to destigmatize psychological well being within the AAPI group by working with the Asian Mental Health Project, a nonprofit that makes psychological well being assets extra accessible for everybody.
Best Gift Idea
Price Range: $$$
Whether you are first-, second-, third-, or fourth-technology Asian American, it is one thing to be happy with. Wear it shut to your coronary heart with this Find Me Now x Notte necklace, a collaboration between AAPI founders Su Paek, Stephanie Callahan, and Jessica Tse. The jewellery can be an exquisite thanks present for relations who would possibly’ve immigrated to the nation years in the past, or in your AAPI pals who need to proudly show their Asian American heritage.
Price Range: $$$
Size Range: XS – 2XL
Karen Lee and Tanya Lee began LEZÉ The Label with the intention to upcycle supplies to create modern materials. Many firms have used plastic bottles to make material, however Karen and Tanya have pushed the boundaries by exploring supplies produced from espresso, beech bushes, and recycled fishing nets. Karen speaks to their frugality, saying that “our parents, along with other immigrant parents, were OG’s at recycling before it was trendy.”
Price Range: $$
South Asian entrepreneur Shilpa Shah co-based the model Cuyana in 2011 to encourage patrons to put money into higher, larger-high quality supplies somewhat than rapidly biking by way of low-cost choices. This implies that every Cuyana piece is made by artisans who use supplies that can stand the take a look at of time, so you do not have to hold shopping for and disposing of merchandise. One is sufficient if it will final you without end.
Price Range: $$
The model liked by Hailey Bieber, Emma Chamberlain, and Kendall Jenner was began by AAPI-founder Julianne Goldmark. Emi Jay started as Julianne’s after-faculty pastime and bloomed right into a full-time enterprise. The model has collaborated with Juicy Couture and Summer Fridays and has grow to be properly-identified for merchandise like their “Big Effing Claw Clip” thanks to Bella Hadid and different A-Listers rocking their equipment.
Price Range: $
Size Range: S – XL
Apricotton was began by two younger Chinese feminine founders (Chloe Beaudoin and Jessica Miao) who wished to create a bra that grew with you, making it good for youthful teenagers. Jessica tells Seventeen that “90% of girls [are] embarrassed to wear their first bra,” and Apricotton normalizes the method with comfortable, accessible choices just like the adjustable Cloud Bra.
Price Range: $$
Size Range: S – L
Fanny Kong began At The Venue as an incubator for brand spanking new, sustainable manufacturers trying to get began within the trend trade. They simply opened up an NYC retailer, so should you’re based mostly in or visiting The Big Apple, cease by their store to browse all the unimaginable manufacturers that At The Venue has to supply!
Not in NYC? No worries! Shop their choices on-line.
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Size Range: S – XXXL
Wishbone NYC was based by Margaret Zhou Pattillo, who shares a little bit of her story on the store’s About Us web page. Margaret skilled the consequences of drug abuse in her private life at a younger age, and he or she’s now utilizing her platform to make a distinction by donating 5% of all income from the comfortable, road-impressed loungewear to drug prevention non-income and organizations.
Most Innovative
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If you suppose these are simply common earrings, suppose once more! Former engineer Trisha Okubo based Maison Miru, and all the model’s jewellery is designed for model AND operate. Their signature Nap Earrings have flat backs, so you’ll be able to comfortably sleep in your aspect or put on headphones with out earring backs poking into your pores and skin. Can you say innovation?!
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You can by no means have too many claw clips. Tiffany Chu based Chunks as a excessive-high quality, plant-based mostly choice for hair equipment and we’re residing for the print & sample choices! This checkerboard clip is funky however wearable sufficient that you’re going to attain for it each single day. Fair warning: you will be fielding a LOT of compliments.
Price Range: $$
Size Range: XS – L
NIA the Brand makes the sort of clothes that is cute sufficient for sophistication…and comfortable sufficient simply in case you go to sleep at your desk. The AAPI-founded model was began by Sonia Parvaneh (Get it? SoNIA, NIA the Brand?) and the matching knit units that they provide are so, so good. You’ll look put-collectively with out even making an attempt.
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