AsianNYFW: A New Collective

Sep 10

Sep 10 AsianNYFW: A New Collective

For the past two days, St. Mary’s Church on the LES has been more than a house of god—thanks to the minds behind @AsianNYFW, it’s been a bona fide house of fashion.

Produced by award-winning PR executive Connie Chi and the Coalesce Collective from Minnesota, AsianNYFW is a platform for Asian designers to present their collections to the world while also building ties within their community. Drawing on their cultural heritage, daily life, and personal vision, the event’s 27 designers showcased innovative designs ranging in themes from gender fluidity and body diversity to struggles of the Asian-American identity.

Of all the themes, however, one that stood out in particular was the commitment to slow fashion. Designers like Sukushine and LOWKEN made pieces using materials like secondhand clothing and plant-based leather that showed attendees just how fashionable ethical clothing can be. In a world where designers are the ones who start trends, a decision like that has enormous weight, and can go a long way towards making sustainable fashion the norm for both consumers and other designers.

NYFW has evolved over the last few years, and Asian designers have played an essential role by introducing new aesthetics and perspectives to the world of fashion. Creatives like Alexander King Chen, named one of Taiwan’s top ten most influential people, have taken the medium to new heights by blending film and fashion for an experience that transcends traditional runway shows. But while there have been strides in representation, many are still reeling from the wave of asian-hate crimes that occurred during the pandemic. AsianNYFW made sure to address that. In between shows, guests took the time to share stories of how they were impacted by Asian Hate with AAP (I Belong), a non-profit that offers a space for AAPI to be open about the struggles and fears they face. More than anything, AsianNYFW served as a boost of positivity to a community that has been through much the last few years.