Asia has been a major force in fashion for many years. It is a continent that continues to be very fashion-conscious and has a huge number of consumers. Asian designers have become more visible than ever, showcasing their creative DNA and diverse backgrounds. Asian designers such as Yohji Yammoto, Rei Kawakubo, and Vera Wang, have been leading the way in fashion for decades. However, Asian celebrities are also highly sought after by prominent fashion houses. This increases the influence and status of Asians.
These Asian designers, with their rich heritages, diverse backgrounds, and extraordinary creativity, are revolutionizing modern fashion. From the legendary vision of Yoji Yamamoto to Robert Wun’s spectacular advant garde couture, LUXUO presents a list of the most prominent Asian designers of today.
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Yohji Yamamoto
Yohji is a name that comes to mind when discussing prominent Asian designers. The Japanese designer Yohji has had a major influence in fashion ever since his arrival to Paris in the 1980s. Yamamoto alongside Comme Des Garçons’ founder Rei Kawabuko, had started a new movement of the unfinished look, creating modernity with unconventional silhouettes and deviating from what the fashion industry at the time deemed as “luxury elegance”. Both were major influences in the world of fashion, at a time when flattering shapes and clean lines were the norm.
Yamamoto nailed the art of master tailoring, but used it non-uniformity and fluidity in his works— bias cuts were precise, hold and rips were thoughtfully placed and his flair was evident in unique shapes and textures.
Yamamoto worked a lot with minimal colors, and he was a master of asymmetry. He also used exaggerated textures and dramatic drapes with folds and drapes to draw attention to the movement. His work is still considered to be original and influential within the fashion industry. His namesake brand Yohji Yamamoto and Y’s have flourished over 30 years of experience and has earned the designer worldwide success, working with high-end department stores like Dover Street Market and collaborations with Adidas, Hermès and Mikimoto amongst others.
Rei Kawabuko
Rei Kawabuko is one of the most influential designers of all time, Comme des Garçons creative director, co-founder of Dover Street Market and recognised icon of modernity in fashion. Kawabuko had no formal design training, but her creativity and raw talent allowed her to achieve worldwide recognition. Her early work in the late 60s with Comme des Garçons was so successful with Japanese consumers, the designer had incorporated it as a result. Her Paris debut in 1981, however, was met with disdain due to her lack of conformity to western high fashion. Despite this setback, she maintained her creative DNA, which has remained unchanged since.
Kawabuko’s unconventional designs are well known. Her design philosophy is nothing less than revolutionary. She questioned and pushed the boundaries of fashion. Kawakubo’s advant garde designs challenged traditional norms, experimenting with dramatic asymmetry, oversized silhouettes, and textured deconstructed forms. The visionary’s dedication to her innovative work has been cited by some of fashion most iconic figures as inspiration, including the likes of: Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester and Helmut Lang. Kawakubo’s contribution to fashion and strong influence is undeniable, the designer will most definitely remain as one of the most prominent fashion figures of all time.
Robert Wun
Robert Wun was born in Hong Kong and now lives in London. He is known for his extravagant haute couture displays. Robert Wun has been one of the leading names on fashion’s scene over the last couple of years. Wun launched his own label in 2014 after being discovered by Joyce Boutique through his graduation collection while at London College of Fashion. The designer established his label by creating custom orders that featured avant garde silhouettes, and inspiration from nature and movies.
With the help of Bruno Pavlovsky from Chanel, the brand launched its first collection in Paris in 2023. Wun made history as the first designer from Hong Kong to join the haute couture calendar as a guest member of The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. The collection was based on the theme of fear, and how it can be transformed into art. It featured his signature exaggerated forms, pleats and dazzling fabrics, as well as intricate detailing. The collection gave the fashion world, the now-viral “umbrella” and “wine-stained” looks.
This was only the start of his famed artistry, he later dressed Hollywood A-listers Beyoncé, Celine Dion and Lady Gaga amongst many others. His 2024 Paris Haute Couture Show went viral in recent years for its breathtaking show-stoppers, and his mastery of telling stories through fashion.
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Simone Rocha
Irish-Chinese Designer is One of the Most Influential Designers of This Era She has been a significant driving force behind the ultra-popular “coquette-core” trend, characterised by bow motifs, puffy sleeves, pearls and hyper-femininity. Simone Rocha, a graduate of Central Saint Martins, debuted in London Fashion Week 2010 and has since become a major force in the world of fashion. She now owns four standalone stores and works with renowned stockists such as Harrods. Bergdorf Goodman. 10 Corso Como. Dover Street Market.
Her well-known and distinct use of bows, maximalist pearl and rhinestone embellishments and her edgy approach to femininity is highly treasured in the industry — having worked with prominent brands like Moncler, Crocs, H&M and most recently a guest designer at Jean Paul Gaultier. As can be seen from her ballet flat trainers, and her large collared shirts with bows, her designs are a subversive interpretation of femininity for the modern woman. CNA’s creative CNA, by using nuanced colours, voluminous silhouettes, and experimental fabrics to achieve an empowering, yet feminine aesthetic, has become a fashion staple.
Peter Do
Vietnamese-born designer Peter Do is a Fashion Institute of Technology graduate, an LVMH Graduate Prize winner, a former Phoebe Philio protégé at Celine, a brand owner and the creative director of Helmut Lang. The designer has a large following, is known for his clean and immaculate tailoring and architectural inspirations. Do launched his own label, Do & Co. in 2018. It was then featured on the New York Fashion Week runways by 2021. He was heavily influenced by Helmut Lang, Maison Margiela and Phoebe Philo in his early work, so it is not surprising that he will be joining Helmut Lang 2023.
His clean-cut innovative approach is well detailed in his interview with Culted, “Peter Do does not do minimalism, a word deemed reductive to the lengthy process it takes to create its garments. Peter Do does essentialism. Subtle but very much there, the difference lies within the concept: while minimalism looks to reduce as much as possible, essentialism focuses on the core of the idea, or rather, the essence.”
His designs are functional, simple and stylish, without needing extravagant details. He uses sharp tailoring, construction, and textiles to create garments that can be worn by anyone, regardless of gender. He is a talented designer who is well known for staying out of the spotlight. Allowing his work to speak for itself, is an undeniable proof of his talent.
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Gaurav Gupta
Indian designer Gaurav Gupta is best known for his exuberant haute couture pieces, regularly worn by A-listers like Beyoncè, Cardi B and Deepika Padukone on the most prestigious red carpet events. In 2004, his namesake label, which specializes in bridal gowns, was established. Since then it has grown exponentially and is now one of the most prestigious couture labels in the 2020s. In 2023, he was the third Indian designer to ever present at the legendary Paris Haute Couture Week.
The designer’s signature fusion of Indian indigenous construction and embellishment methods with western influences creates sculptural works of art that are surreal, extravagant and whimsical. In addition to his knack for artful couture creations, the designer is known to be vocal with diversity and inclusivity movements in India, advocating for “blending culture and art forms”. Gupta’s uncompromising devotion to his roots is evident in the way he pays homage to Indian heritage, and techniques that originated from India.
Prabal Gurung
The Nepalese American designer Prabal Gurung has been in the fashion industry for many years. After graduating from Parsons School of Design in 2009 and completing an internship with Donna Karen, Prabal Gurung established his namesake brand. His vibrant creative DNA remains, specializing in formal eveningwear in eye-catching colour and seamless feminine shapes. The visionary’s interpretation of modern fashion and his uncompromising focus on quality and innovation has earned him a spot amongst some of the most influential Asian designers.
His work has been worn on the likes of the world’s leading ladies like Michelle Obama, Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and a frequent red carpet ensemble for prominent events like the MET Gala. By highlighting Nepalese roots in collections, and using models of diverse backgrounds, the talented designer has highlighted the importance for inclusivity within the fashion industry. The Shikshya Foundation Nepal, which is a charity that focuses on childhood education, has been a major success.
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