Jacqueline Yee
ASA 141
Week 10
In Thuy Linh Nguyen’s Asia
on my Mind, she discusses the role of Asia and Asian Americans in the
fashion industry. Nguyen mentions the rising middle class of China as the
“marginal force” and “an engine of growth for the economy” (174). This income
bracket in China has seen a quick increase in income per capita in a short
amount of time, which was sparked a huge consumption market for expensive
luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci. However, though Asia is considered
the new consumer group with a big potential impact to the market, it is interesting
that they are not seen as contributors to the fashion industry from a Western
point of view. Many Asian countries are supporting Asian American designers in
the industry, both in monetary means and with popularity, like Vera Wang, Anna
Sui, and Vivienne Tam. In the chapter, they are described as people “who can
bring glory to their country” (176), and “national victories” (177).
It is interesting that Asian Americans are chosen representatives of the country, though they have only heard of the
country through their parent’s stories and memories. Nguyen mentions that some
designers recounted that they were treated like celebrities or “rock stars”
(177) when they returned to their home
country. In a sense, they have become transnational subjects that represent
both their home country and America,
where they were born and raised. It gives them a unique perspective but also
confine them.
In a separate article I found, Fashion Designers Boldly Embrace their Chinese heritage from
Business of fashion, discusses similar topics. I found the part about Liang
particularly fun to read since she incorporates her New York upbringing with
her Chinese background in her collections. For example, she handed out
invitations for her Spring collection in red envelopes and uses iconic parts of
her upbringing in her work, like using apron inspired skirts from her parent’s
restaurant
to fleece pullovers. She describes this as “paying homage to her
culture” (Business of Fashion). The article is an interesting read about the
perspective of Asian American designers and how they try to mix different parts
of their identity into their work in different ways.
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