This Season’s Best Fashion and Beauty Buys from AAPI Brands
5 min read
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During AAPI Heritage Month, check out, shop and support the best finds from Asian-owned and helmed brands including Phlur, Chriselle Lim’s recently relaunched fragrance brand, plus actress and singer Ella Jay Basco shares her personal fashion and beauty faves.
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Alighieri
Nocturnal Alchemy 24-karat gold-plated bronze chain bracelet by London-based designer Rosh Mahtani; $1,171; mytheresa.com
Courtesy of Brand
Alighieri Nocturnal Alchemy 24KT Gold-Plated Chain Bracelet
$1,171
Mikimoto
The Japanese house’s drop earrings with ombré-set ocean sapphires and Akoya pearls, set in 18-karat white gold; $3,100, nordstrom.com
Courtesy of Brand
Mikimoto Ocean Sapphire and Pearl Drop Earrings
$3,100
Then I Met You
Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask with glycolic and salicylic acids, damask rose petals and resveratrol; $56, thenimetyou.com
Courtesy of Brand
Then I Met You Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask
$56
Kay-Tran Eyewear
“I have recently fallen in love with the Asian owned brand Kay-Tran Eyewear,” says actress (Birds of Prey) and singer Ella Jay Basco, who recently released her single, “Bubble Tea,” which has been called a “timely new anthem for the Asian American community.”
“The inclusive design specifically made for lower Asian nose bridges is perfect for my face,” continues Basco, “and is a type of accessory I’ve been looking for for a long time. I’m so glad I’ve found a sunglass brand that can perfectly accommodate my needs as a young Asian girl.”
Kay-Tran’s Brooklyn sunglasses in pink blush tortoise; $140, kaytran.com
Kay-Tran
Kay-Tran Brooklyn Sunglasses
$140
Grand Seiko
The Japanese watchmaker’s 36.5mm Heritage Collection 44GS 55th Anniversary timepiece; $5,400, grand-seiko.com
Courtesy of Brand
Grand Seiko 36.5mm Heritage Collection 44GS 55th Anniversary Watch
$5,400
Matter of Fact
Formulated by former Korean pop star Paul Baek, Matter of Fact’s Minimalist Hydrating Cream delivers hydration for sensitive skin; $20 (10ml) or $50 (30ml), matteroffact.com
Matter of Fact
Matter of Fact Hydrating Cream
$50
Jimmy Choo
Amita 45 slingback pumps, designed by creative director Sandra Choi; $653, mytheresa.com
Courtesy of Brand
Jimmy Choo Amita 45 Slingback Pumps
$653
Phlur
Lifestyle expert Chriselle Lim has relaunched the fragrance brand with offerings that include floral spicy scent Not Your Baby; $96, phlur.com and sephora.com
Courtesy of Brand
Phlur Not Your Baby Eau de Parfum
$96
3.1 Phillip Lim
The designer’s Pashli mini satchel with removable cross-body strap; $695, bloomingdales.com
Courtesy of Brand
3.1 Phillip Lim Mini Pashli Satchel
$695
Vinta Gallery
“I’ve always loved working closely with the Filipina-owned brand Vinta Gallery,” says Basco. “Their pieces fully honor Filipino culture while keeping the look very fresh and new. The owner, Caroline Mango Sing, has not only dressed me for some of my carpet looks but also for my music video ‘Gold ft. Ruby Ibarra’. I also wore one of their looks to The Fabulous Filipino Brothers screening at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival last year.”
Vinta Gallery’s ’80s-inspired Mock Neck Tulip Terno dress, which Basco wore, features a tulip skirt with pleats and side seam pockets; $300, vintagallery.com.
Vinta Gallery Mock Neck Tulip Terno Dress
$300
Peter Do
Made in Italy, Peter Do’s Summer Sandals feature a silver-tone post heel; $720, fwrd.com
FWRD
Peter Do Summer Sandals
$720
Kimiko
Made in Japan, Kimiko’s gel-based The Brow Sensei eyebrow styler is vegan and is made with hair-strengthening peptides, plant extracts and antioxidants; $35, kimikobeauty.com
Kimiko
Kimiko Beauty The Brow Sensei
$35
Yina
“This skincare, health, and beauty line has honestly been a game-changer for me,” says Ella Jay Basco. “Yina is another Asian-owned brand specializing in easy Asian medicine being used for their skin products. I just love the way it makes me feel and the way it makes my skin glow!”
Yina’s Hydracloud Cream is made with niacinamide and ginseng complex and is available for pre-order; $85, yina.co
Yina
Yina Hydra Cloud Cream
$85
Fable & Mane
Prewash treatment hair oil with ashwagandha to improve thickness from the London-based brand founded by siblings Nikita and Akash Mehta; $34 (1.8 oz.); fableandmane.com
Courtesy of Brand
Self-Portrait
Malaysia-born, London-based designer Han Chong’s pleated floral georgette midi dress; $525, mytheresa.com
Courtesy of Brand
Kinn
Korean American jewelry designer Jennie Yoon’s vintage-inspired 14-karat yellow gold Eloise ring featuring a marquise-cut diamond; $5,600, kinnstudio.com
Courtesy of Brand
Building Block
Founded by sisters Kimberly and Nancy Wu, the L.A.-based brand’s offerings include the Brick Bag with wood beads; $395, building–block.com
Courtesy of Brand
Naturium
Founded by YouTube star and former beauty editor Susan Yara, the skin-care brand offers a lotion, balm and cleanser, all containing anti-inflammatory marshmallow root; $18-$25, naturium.com and target.com
Courtesy of Brand
Monique Lhuillier
The Filipino American designer’s printed linen Shannon Tuileries Pump; $495, moniquelhuillier.com
Courtesy of Brand
Skylar
Hypoallergenic Salt Air fragrance (with bergamot, sea salt and driftwood notes) is from the L.A.-based company founded by Taiwan-born former tech executive Cat Chen; $85 (1.7 oz.), nordstrom.com
Courtesy of Brand
AAPI Best-Seller Beauty Collection
Limited-edition box featuring products from eight AAPI-founded brands; $10 from every one sold goes to AAPI nonprofit groups; $100, herocosmetics.us
Courtesy of Brand
Kapital
Logo-appliquéd, bandana-print, cotton-voile bucket hat, made in Japan; $165, mrporter.com
Mr Porter
This story first appeared in the May 25 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
