AANHPI Brands May 2025
Join Velvet.Co & Áwet in celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
MAY 10TH - 11TH, 12 - 7 PM
57 Bond St, NYC
Origin and Founders: Founded in Brooklyn, NY, by Indian-American designer Sheena Sood.
Commitment to Responsibility: Abacaxi champions sustainability, ethical production, and cultural preservation through the use of organic cotton, natural dyes, upcycled materials, and global artisan partnerships.
Production: Clothes are made in India and in Peru, with artisans who are keeping ancestral dyeing, weaving, embroidery, knitting and crochet techniques alive.
Standards and Mission: Abacaxi creates mindful clothing inspired by travel, color, and nature, with a strong focus on sustainability, ethics, and cultural preservation through global artisan collaborations.
Brand Ethos: Abacaxi blends cultural awareness, artistic expression, and sustainability, celebrating heritage, craft, and community with a vibrant, modern approach.
Recognition: SS25 runway featured in Vogue, Elle, Refinery29 and others.
Price Range: $65 to $595.
Country of Origin and Founders: Founded in Shanghai in 2023.
Production: Founded in Shanghai in 2023, Dear Alien combines innovation with affordability, using unique materials and unconventional shapes to create contemporary, wearable designs for trend-conscious youth.
Commitment to Responsibility: Each piece is crafted from high-quality, natural materials like 100% silk, cotton, certified cashmere, and leather, ensuring lasting durability and elegance.
Standards and Mission: Dear Alien empowers individuality through fashion, reimagining style with a sense of exploration. The brand appeals to "travelers" and "cultural forces," prioritizing creativity, accessibility, and staying in tune with evolving trends.
Brand Ethos: Celebrating individuality and the unknown, Dear Alien draws inspiration from ‘aliens’ as symbols of new cultural forces. The brand encourages self-expression through innovative designs, blending unique materials and shapes to challenge fashion norms with a fresh, contemporary perspective.
Price Range: RRP from $80 to $226.
Origin and Founders: Founded in New York City by Korean-American entrepreneur Jane Dua.
Commitment to Responsibility: NUNCHI focuses on sustainable, ethical production using recycled metals, conflict-free stones, and a made-to-order model to reduce waste. They partner with immigrant- and family-owned businesses, blending environmental responsibility with cultural preservation.
Production: NUNCHI pieces are handcrafted by generational artisans in NYC and Seoul, using 100% recycled metals and conflict-free, lab-grown stones. Made-to-order with a 2–4 week turnaround, their low-waste, slow production model supports sustainability and craftsmanship.
Standards and Mission: NUNCHI redefines luxury through sustainability, inclusivity, and cultural storytelling, embracing a “fewer, better” philosophy. The brand creates customizable pieces that honor Korean heritage and empower self-expression while advocating for equity and representation in its supply chain.
Brand Ethos: NUNCHI turns awareness into action, challenging luxury norms with bold, culturally rooted designs that celebrate identity and individuality. Focusing on personalization and storytelling, the brand empowers authentic, unapologetic self-expression.
Price Range: $25 to $1,500.
Country of Origin and Founders: Founded in 2022 by designer Yitao Li, who was born in Taiyuan, China, and relocated to the United States at the age of 14.
Production: Taottao pieces are handcrafted in-house at the brand’s Shenzhen studio, ensuring attention to detail and the creation of unique, statement-making garments that reflect its distinctive aesthetic.
Commitment to Responsibility: Taottao celebrates individuality through original, handcrafted designs at accessible prices. Made in-house with attention to detail, the brand follows a low-waste, small-batch model, prioritizing authenticity over mass production and fostering a deeper connection between maker and wearer.
Standards and Mission: Taottao celebrates individuality and challenges fashion norms by blending playfulness, sensuality, and subtle loudness. The brand empowers self-expression through original, accessible designs, making bold fashion statements without luxury markups.
Brand Ethos: Taottao creates playful, sensual, and subtly loud fashion, crafting statement pieces for individuals who express their identity through bold, distinctive clothing. The brand fosters individuality and self-expression by building real connections with its community.
Recognition and Collaborations: Taottao has been featured in major publications like Vogue, WWD, and Dazed. Its distinctive designs have been worn by celebrities such as Halsey, Babymonster, NMIXX, and Jennie, solidifying its status in the fashion industry.
Price Range: $85 to $395.
Country of Origin and Founders: New York-based fashion brand founded in 2019 by Chinese designer Yuchen Han.
Standards and Mission: ALIENANT empowers “Alienantors” with fashion as a wearable defense, bridging Eastern and Western cultures through globally resonant, tradition-meets-contemporary designs.
Brand Ethos: ALIENANT stands for resilience and empowerment, redefining beauty through imperfection and inspiring strength and identity amid chaos, across Eastern and Western influences.
Recognition: ALIENANT has earned major accolades like the Yu Prize Rising Voices and Yinger Prize Grand Award, with global artists such as Rema, NLE Choppa, and Steve Aoki showcasing its designs across Eastern and Western markets.
Price Range: $59 to $790
Country of Origin and Founder: Established in 2023 in New York City by married couple Bin Shen and Kerem Kazan.
Production: Essex Harlan designs and manufactures all garments locally in New York City, using end-of-the-roll, recycled, and dead-stock fabrics to minimize waste and ensure each piece is unique.
Standards and Mission: Essex Harlan creates timeless, durable clothing in limited quantities, blending Eastern philosophy with Western contemporary style. The brand’s gender-neutral, smart-casual designs reflect modern flair and Eastern sophistication.
Brand Ethos: Essex Harlan embraces sustainability, individuality, and cultural fusion, repurposing unused fabrics to support a circular economy. Each garment tells a story, reflecting the brand’s commitment to unique, meaningful creations.
Price Range: $268 to $468.
Country of Origin and Founders: Established in 2019 in Australia by Chinese designer Kelsey Chen.
Production: ONOFFON focuses on high-quality craftsmanship, with intricate detailing and sculptural tailoring that elevate everyday staples into refined, minimalist silhouettes.
Standards and Mission: ONOFFON reimagines classic pieces with intricate craftsmanship and sculptural tailoring, blending Eastern and Western aesthetics to create timeless, versatile garments that elevate minimalist fashion.
Brand Ethos: ONOFFON blends innovation and refinement, creating easy-to-wear garments with thoughtful detailing and sculptural tailoring. The brand appeals to those who appreciate minimalist aesthetics with a modern twist.
Price Range: $200 to $600.
Country of Origin and Founders: Founded in New York City by designer Vera C. Wang.
Commitment to Responsibility: VERAFIED embraces sustainability with slow fashion, ethical sourcing, and mindful production. Using bi-product leather, minimizing waste, and producing in limited quantities, the brand redefines luxury with a focus on longevity over disposability.
Production: VERAFIED focuses on craftsmanship and sustainability, producing in limited quantities to avoid overproduction. Each handbag is made with bi-product leather from ethically raised animals, following a strict zero-waste policy, and every bag is sold to minimize environmental impact.
Standards and Mission: VERAFIED follows the philosophy, “Buy less. Choose well. Make it last,” creating sophisticated, versatile pieces that promote conscious consumption and offer timeless alternatives to fast fashion.
Brand Ethos: VERAFIED blends sculptural, architectural silhouettes with minimalist design, embodying quiet confidence. Rooted in New York City, the brand represents individuality, timelessness, and a refined approach to modern luxury.
Price Range: $178 to $398.
Country of Origin and Founders: Established in 2016 by Zemeta Choi, a Korean-American designer based in New York City.
Commitment to Responsibility: ZEMETA is committed to sustainability and responsible production practices. The brand upcycles garments destined for landfills, giving them new life. Additionally, ZEMETA utilizes sustainable textiles such as deadstock fabrics, organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp, aligning with eco-friendly values.
Production: ZEMETA’s garments are designed in Manhattan’s Garment District, reflecting the brand’s commitment to quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Standards and Mission: ZEMETA aims to create dreamy, everyday wear crafted from elegant, comfortable fabrics. Each design is unique and thoughtfully made, intended to be cherished and worn with love.
Brand Ethos: The brand’s ethos is deeply rooted in a blend of feminine aesthetics, emotional expression, and cultural exploration. ZEMETA embodies a commitment to authenticity, craftsmanship, and inclusivity, offering designs that resonate with a diverse audience.
Price Range: $59 to $195.
Country of Origin and Founder: Founded in France in 2019 by designer Wang Liuwe
Production: ANN ANDELMAN is known for premium materials, refined tailoring, and Parisian-inspired craftsmanship that reflects a minimalist yet dynamic aesthetic.
Standards and Mission: ANN ANDELMAN blends Parisian sophistication with streetwear, reimagining silhouettes to inspire individuality through clean, innovative designs and a subtle, artistic aesthetic.
Brand Ethos: ANN ANDELMAN challenges fashion norms by reimagining classic silhouettes with effortless sophistication, inspiring creativity through understated yet bold design.
Price Range: $130 to $570.
Origin and Founder: Jasmine Chong is a Malaysian-Indonesian designer who launched her eponymous label in New York City in 2016.
Production: Jasmine Chong garments are designed and produced in New York’s Garment District, with each piece handcrafted in small batches by skilled seamstresses for meticulous quality and detail.
Standards and Mission: The brand creates meticulously crafted pieces that blend rich detailing with prêt-à-porter functionality, celebrating sculptural, romantic designs that highlight the wearer’s form and individuality.
Brand Ethos: Jasmine Chong blends softness and strength, focusing on quiet luxury and inclusive design. The brand celebrates women of all sizes with elegant, empowering pieces.
Price Range: $45 to $7,250.
Country of Origin and Founders: Founded in New York City in 1997 by designer and creative visionary Jeff Staple (Jeff Ng).
Commitment to Responsibility: STAPLE fosters authentic community connections, celebrates diversity, and supports global creative culture. With long-term collaborations, limited-edition drops, and meaningful storytelling, the brand takes a slower, more intentional approach than fast fashion, using Jeffstaple’s platform to highlight emerging voices and cultural initiatives.
Production: STAPLE merges street culture with high-end sophistication, offering a global menswear collection that captures the spirit of New York City.
Standards and Mission: STAPLE’s mission is to blend street culture, design, and the spirit of New York City. The brand has become a cornerstone of global streetwear, with nearly three decades of cultural influence and brand credibility.
Brand Ethos: STAPLE fuses street culture, design, and New York City’s spirit, with its iconic “Pigeon” logo symbolizing NYC’s grit. The brand’s ethos centers on authenticity, innovation, and community, making it a key player in streetwear.
Recognition and Collaboration: STAPLE is known for its iconic “Pigeon” logo, representing NYC’s grit. With a focus on authenticity, innovation, and community, the brand has become a staple in streetwear culture.
Price Range: $48 to $160.
Country of Origin and Founders: Established in 2023 in New York City by designer Wangda Chen.
Commitment to Responsibility: WÀNGDA prioritizes sustainability and responsible production, sourcing premium materials from certified mills in the U.S., Italy, and Japan. With a focus on slow fashion, refined tailoring, and timeless design, the brand avoids overproduction and promotes lasting, conscious consumption.
Production: WÀNGDA designs in New York and produces in China, working closely with skilled artisans to ensure top-quality craftsmanship. The brand prioritizes premium, sustainable fabrics, sourcing materials that meet high luxury and environmental standards.
Standards and Mission: WÀNGDA blends traditional tailoring with avant-garde design, creating minimal yet deconstructed pieces. The brand crafts wearable, sophisticated garments that inspire peacefulness, uniqueness, and confidence.
Brand Ethos: WÀNGDA blends cultural fusion, individuality, and reinvention, creating minimalist yet avant-garde pieces that balance tradition and modernity. The brand’s timeless designs encourage personal expression and transcend trends.
Price Range: $225 to $1,450.
Country of Origin and Founders: Founded in 2010 by Suzanne Rae in New York, USA.
Commitment to Responsibility: Suzanne Rae emphasizes social and environmental responsibility, sourcing quality fabrics and luxury leathers from ethical sources and collaborating with family-owned factories.
Production: Made in New York, focusing on high-quality craftsmanship and ethical production practices.
Standards and Mission: Rooted in feminist fundamentals, Suzanne Rae creates informed, sophisticated, and functional pieces, viewing fashion as a performative art.
Brand Ethos: Designed for the progressive, modern individual, combining thoughtful design with practicality and playful sophistication.
Price Range: $490 to $650.