Asian-American Designers On The Rise
Alexander Wang
Today’s Asian-Americans have come a long way from the stereotypes that have been bestowed upon them by past generations of asian immigrants. Those of us born and raised from a-typical asian families who value a future in the Golden Career Triad of business, medicine and law, can take it a bit easier knowing some of our peers are making a living outside of that.
According to the Wall Street Journal’s “A Design Generation Rising“, fashion design is seeing a rise of Asian newcomers, a few whom had to go through the routine of hiding their true desire until proven successful and/or bear the shame and disappointment elicited from traditional families from their career choices.
In Montreal, one of the very first blog posts I’ve made was the interesting presence of Asian designers in the city, in which designers like Andy-The Anh, Simon Chang, Siphay Southidara, and Dinh Ba have made significant splashes in the local and national fashion scene in the past decade.
The profiles of internationally known Asian photographers and stylists are still low on the radar - Tommy Ton is gaining some momentum as Photographer Du Jour…and that’s about it. As for editors, only a couple of made a splash so far: Janice Min, formerly of US Weekly, and Sojin Lee, formerly of Net-a-porter and now of Fashionair.com.
MFW Day 2 - Moo
Today felt more packed than usual and we huddled up and down the stairs like cattle. When 8PM rolled around it was an unbelievable mass of human bodies smushed together, some deftly keeping their wine glasses in check.
I was bombarded once more with goodie bags and came home with a motherload that contained a Grand Marnier branded martini shaker, a bunch of Pantene products, CoverGirl lipgloss, a Venus razor (honestly, every fashion event I go I get razors, I think I’m going to stop buying them since I always get them for free!), and the best - Olay’s Anti-Aging Lip treatment. All I’m missing is a lip plumper. I also got another pair of crocs, same from last night except in pink, so now I have two sets. I think I’ll send a pair to my mum.
It was less fruitful in terms of talking with people today, everyone was just in such a rush to get inside the shows there was little time to actually socialized.
Tonight’s shows were more commercial, so most of the designs appealed to the audience. The two buyers were especially pleased with the CIMM shows, I could see them grinning ear to ear, my new friend told me they went to Chabanel today and decided to buy their crop from there. Personally I really like Helmer, though I don’t see myself wearing his patchworks, I saw some young ladies wearing his full gowns to the show. Nevertheless, there’s a finesse that I really like from him. I’m having a hard time putting my finger on Dinh Ba, but I certainly thought that this collection was a great improvement from the last two (though still not too sure about the menswear). I was impressed with Myco Anna (ecofashion designer) just by the fact that it must’ve taken ages to patch stuff together, finding the right colors, and the right patterns to go together, also loved the theme they had.
Overall, tonight was a really good show. I’m thinking of attending only the second half for tomorrow night and I know it’s going to be insane because of Armure Urbaine. I have no idea how many tickets that show sold for, but the main showroom can only hold at most perhaps 500-600 people while Facebook confirms 1200 in attendance (but I wouldn’t rely too much on Facebook for accuracy).
Sorry I can’t accompany pics in my posts, it takes a while to edit, so I might just do a pic post on Friday.
Casa Cares Temptations
Every year CASA Cares, a non-profit student organization of Concordia’s John Molson School of Business, organize a fashion show event where all proceeds are donated to the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Since the fashion show’s inception they have raised over $30,000 for the hospital.
In their latest edition called “Temptations,” a slew of local designers lent student models their designs to strut them on the runway. I took photos of the event and you’ll have to forgive my poor photographic skills, you can’t do much on an automated Canon! As 9:15pm rolled around, the lights finally dimmed and the show started. What’s interesting of these student run shows were the choreographies the models produced. Some were fun and quirky like when they presented a collection for Kensie Girl and the girls bopped their hips along, winked and gasped at the crowd.
Fashion Events and Reports Galore
Don’t worry folks, I haven’t forgotten about you. Several posts are in the works for the blog, I just haven’t had time to edit and add pictures yet, so sit tight.
I have a bunch of updates for you coming up, and in a couple of weeks I’ll be attending fashion week. 3 whole days being holed up in a building for 4-6 hours at a time on top of going to work from 9am. There will be much to talk about, that is if I don’t drop dead from exhaustion first.
Coming Up:
- Magazine review for one of my favorites: Clear Magazine.
- Label Report: Michael Kors, Teenflo, and a tailoring spot called Charles Le Tailleur.
- Show review for the annual Casa Cares fashion show featuring a slew of designers including Dinh Ba, Rush Couture and Aqua Di Lara.
- Montreal Fashion Week press releases concerning several magazine launch parties.
- Most likely exhausted from Fashion Week, I’ll be giving the “spa” a first try, see how those Swedish massages fare.
- March 25th is Gloss’ latest issue! Hopefully it’ll feature my interview with jewelry designer Allison Sklar.
- Onsite reports being at Fashion Week, observing the crowds, and wondering how I’ll keep my sanity throughout these long hours. No show reviews, that’s reserved for Gloss.
In essence, I have a lot to say but not enough time to write them down!
March Fashion Show Madness
Like many of you, I get excited about fashion shows, they’re exciting, glamorous, and way too brief. For the 20-somethings out there who don’t mind hanging out in loud clubs and douse themselves in martinis late at night, here’s the bulk of the fashion shows being held this month.
Be forewarned that fashion shows have a tendency to start late. Show up early at your own risk!
Karv Fashion Show @ Club 1234
March 7th, 2008 at 10PM
Tickets are available (10$) price at the door will be (15$).
For Tickets & Table Reservations Call : 707-3333
Cause: Promotional
Click here for the Facebook Event
CASA Cares Fashion Show @ Olympia Theatre
March 13th, 2008 at 8:30PM
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at 1500 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Room GM 218-4.
Cause: Donation to the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation
Designers: Dom Rebel, Aqua di Lara, Bodybag by Judith Desjardins, Dinh Bà and more.
Ethni-cité fashion-show & Party @ Time Supper Club
March 13th, 2008 at 11:30PM
Pre-sale tickets are $15. Price at the door will be $20.
Cause: Promotion of cultural diversity among local and international students
Click here for the Facebook Event
The Official “WALK” Fashion Show @ House Nightclub
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:30PM
Tickets are $40. Groups of 10 or more get a $10 discount per person.
Contact Megan Clark: thats.crazy.babyyy@hotmail.com
Tel: (514) 525-8567
Cause: Donations for the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation
Click here for the Facebook Event
Armure Urbaine @ Marche Bonsecours for Montreal Fashion Week
March 27th, 2008 at 9:30PM
Tickets are $30. Can be purchased at Admission.com.
Cause: Donations for YWCA.
Designers: Body Bag by Jude, Dinh Bà, Denis Gagnon, Envers by Yves Jean-Lacasse, Helmer, Collection Iris, Marie Saint Pierre, Muse by Christian Chenail, M Siamo, Mylene B.
Path of Destruction Fashion Show - Location TBD
April 5th, 2008 - Time TBD
Tickets are $25. Price at the door will be $30.
Cause: Promotional, free stuff
Click here for the Facebook Event
OR you can just join the Montreal Fashion Group on Facebook and make your life easier.
And as a final announcement, which isn’t fashion show related, I found out that Marie Saint Pierre will be opening a new boutique at the Rockland Centre soon.
