25 AAPI-Owned Fashion Brands to Shop for the Coolest Clothes, Shoes and Bags

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and what better way to celebrate than by supporting and amplifying the AAPI community? Whether you volunteer your time to protect the elderly or donate funds to national organizations like the Asian Pacific Fund or AAPI Women Lead, there's so much you can do this month and beyond.

Another great option is investing in AAPI-owned businesses—and yeah, buying a cute new bag from Cuyana or some cheerful baubles from Bonbonwhims totally counts. Ahead, we rounded up 25 of the coolest AAPI-owned fashion brands to shop from, many of which are indie or up-and-coming, so you can proudly say that you were an early supporter of these amazing designers.

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For an elevated WFH wardrobe that feels like PJs but looks boardroom-ready, there’s truly no better brand than Léze the Label. Founded by Tanya and Karen Lee, this Vancouver-based duo proudly produces tailored sweatshirts and matching skirts (oh, and Oprah's favorite trousers) in China. The brand strives to debunk the myth that “Made in China” means you’re getting something of lesser quality. Trust us, once you get your hands on their plush, sustainable garb, you’ll understand that couldn't be further from the truth.

Here’s a brand that will impress even your coolest niece or nephew (or, you know, your entire TikTok following). Sundae School co-founders and lifelong friends, Dae Lim and Mia Park, were born in South Korea and emigrated to the United States as teens. The pair met at boarding school, where they bonded while smoking weed together. Since 2019, they’ve created a full-fledged 4/20-friendly brand they refer to as “smokewear,” though you don’t have to light up to wear it. Plus, the brand donates a percentage of their sales to BIPOC-owned companies—from flower businesses to garment factories.

Sorry Patagonia, but fleece jackets weren’t cool before Sandy Liang put her touch on them. This New York-based brand took the winter piece she hated wearing as a kid and transformed it into a major fashion moment in the mid-2010s. And the craze still carries on today—as do the unexpected designs for warmer seasons. Liang also makes dresses, tees and shoes with the same cheeky charm. Prefer a retro floral print skirt? That’s available. Or want to jump into the balletcore aesthetic? You got it.

Founder Alice Kim started PerfectDD (pronounced “perfected”) to solve an issue she was facing: She couldn’t find clothes that fit her DD chest and size zero frame. This prompted Kim to launch a sustainable brand that would fit her body type—including a trendy dress shirt that didn't strain at the buttons, a stylish tulip sleeve blouse that works for any occasion and muscle tees that don’t look sloppy. Sizes ranges from size XS to 3X, so everyone can rock a style or two (which explains why celebs like Jenna Fischer, Lindsay Price and Lana Condor are fans).

Designer Hanako Maeda was raised between New York and Tokyo and she brings the whip smart sensibility of both cities to this very modern, yet equally wearable brand. Fans include Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Anne Hathaway, Brie Larson and Gemma Chan, but you don’t need to be an icon to rock the brand's signature puff-sleeve tops, chic shirtdresses and cozy knitwear.

In 2016, Kelly Wang Shanahan launched Ziran with the purpose of merging ancient Chinese techniques, luxury fashion and sustainability together. Per their site, they are known for being the first and only brand to use xiang yun sha silk, which translates to "perfumed clothed clothing" and has been a staple in China for over 500 years. Whether you buy their butterfly reversible facemask or their ruched slip dress, every item goes through a vigorous process that involves dying the fabric using shu liang (a Chinese yam) and washing it in the Pearl River. The site adds, "We believe it's our duty to honor and preserve this tradition for the next generation. This is the Ziran way."

Inspired by her childhood visits to India, founder Sheena Sood used her love and curiosity of South Asian craft and design to launch Abacaxi. "I got to see how custom garments were made," Sood told The Cut about her trips to the country. "Unlike where I grew up in the Midwest, people would go and buy their fabric, take it to the embroider, then the beader and then the tailor. [I saw the] richness of the fabrics. The way people dress with color in such a different way." She blended her four loves—travel, textiles, color and pattern—to create her own bold pieces. In 2020, she introduced her first collection "Fruit Nostalgia," which was inspired by the fruits she had in India, while her latest collection pays homage to nature, specifically water, highlighting its impact on our mind, body and nervous system.

JACQ is all about making genderless clothing that's accessible to everyone. As stated on their site, "The JACQ collection was created for every identity to feel extraordinary in their everyday life." Designer Jackie Yang's inspiration stemmed from his well-traveled parents, who often dressed in luxurious, but simple staples on their business trips. Each piece is made with recycled and organic fabrics (like viscose and cotton twill) and the brand prioritizes ethical production practices.

In 2015, former creative directors at Oscar de la Renta, Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia decided to create their own luxury brand, Monse. The brand has since become known for their ready-to-wear pieces that are inspired by menswear and classic tailoring. As such, you'll find cascade hems, slashed silhouettes and unisex styles that fit anyone's style and transition seamlessly from work to a night out with friends.

After founder Emily Tran's mother passed away while Tran was in college, she turned the "brick and mortar bikini store" her mom had been working on into the Dippin' Daisy's we know and love today. The swimwear brand stands for three values: girl power, affordable luxury and sustainability. Since 2015, it's sold trendy bikinis, one-pieces and cover-ups, all under $100, with an extensive size range for all body types. The Cali-based company states, "We want every girl who slips into our suits to feel powerful, confident, and in love with life, and we actively invest the spirit into every aspect of what we do."

OOKIOH comes from the Japanese word Ukiyo, which means "the pleasure-seeking lifestyle of the Edo Japan Period and the famous Ukito-e woodblock prints that emerged from it," according to the brand's site. In simpler terms, the swimwear brand represents traveling and living in the moment (aka taking your PTO). It uses sustainably-sourced materials made from ocean waste and pre-consumer products to make vibrant and stylish sets for the warm weather.

Looking for stylish knitwear? Kerisma has a ton of trendy pieces that are comfortable and versatile. Since 2010, founders Phil Ke and Lihui Ke (who are father and daughter) launched a brand built on three pillars: family, Chinese heritage and design. As stated on their site, "Each design is consciously created with the creative, intelligent and free-spirited woman in mind." From their cozy sweaters to their bold dresses, some of their most popular items are crafted in eco-friendly yarn. Plus, two percentage of their yearly profits are donated to arts and culture programs geared towards women of color.

In 2018, founder Phoebe Kunitomi launched okko, which stands for "Our Kind of Knockout", a brand that specializes in comfy undergarments for daily wear. Inspired by her Korean and Japanese upbringing, Kunitomi sought to create pieces that are minimal, timeless and comfortable. Whether you're in the market for bras, underwear or even socks, the brand has you covered on all the essentials. okko is also known for being inclusive in sizing (going up to 3XL) and carrying a variety of colors to match all skin tones.

Few brands are able to create instant cult fave bags for under $100 quite like JW Pei. Before you drop four-figures on a designer purse you should check out the site’s more affordable offerings that celebs like Megan Fox, Gigi Hadid and Anne Hathaway can't stop carrying. Founded by Chinese American husband and wife duo Yang Pei and Stephanie Li, every cute AF purse is also good for the environment. Yup, these vegan designs are crafted from recycled water bottles, canvas and polyurethane.

Get ready for some serious ‘90s nostalgia, because the sweet baubles and accessories from BonBonWhims will transport you straight back to the pink walls of your childhood bedroom in the best way possible. Founder Clare Ngai, an immigrant of Asian heritage, is the mastermind behind all of the charming (and affordable) pieces. If you can only snap up one piece now, make it the Glitter Lucky Gems rings, which is what our Polly Pocket dreams are made of.

As a Stanford engineer, founder Trisha Okubo was always interested in merging art and science together, thus Maison Miru was born. With Miru meaning "evocation of sight" in Japanese, this New York-based brand strives to create unique jewelry that can be layered in tons of different ways. Whether you're looking for classic huggies or a dangling charm necklace, the brand uses solid 14k gold, silver and rose gold to suit every occasion.

Cuyana's mission is to create timeless and modern pieces that are versatile for daily wear. Inspired by their Latinx and Asian heritages, founder Karla Gallardo and Shilpa Shah connect with suppliers across the globe—from Ecuador to Vietnam—to source 100 percent leather, recycled plastic, silk and cashmere to make their handbags, clothing and accessories. In 2020, the brand made a promise to only use 100 percent sustainably-made materials, and as of 2023, they completed their goal.

In 2015, college buddies Harmony Pilobello and Shilpa Lyengar combined their skills in footwear and sustainable design to launch Alterre. The New York-based company aims to create shoes that are versatile, lightweight and comfortable enough to be worn all day long. Whether you shop their ballet flats (that have interchangeable straps) or dazzling stilettos, five percent of the brand's profits are given to Restore NYC, a nonprofit organization that helps survivors of sex trafficking in the city.

Mohala Eyewear wants to remove the stress that often comes with shopping for glasses. When founder Ashley Johnson couldn't find sunglasses that fit her correctly, she decided to launch her own brand that would make it easier to find a pair that's comfortable (because one size does not fit all). The wide-ranging collection considers different sized nose bridges and widths, and offers adjustable frames to make each pair of glasses entirely your own. Plus, for every every pair you purchase, a percentage goes to Room at Read, a non-profit organization that's dedicated to children's education across Asia and Africa.

As a former accessories trend director, Jessica Tse always wanted to launch her own jewelry brand. Inspired by her time in New York City and Florence, Italy, she sought to bring out the energy of city life in her collections. From sterling silver to pearls, all of her pieces are vibrant and chic. Searching for a statement accessory? You might want to add these babies to your cart (and these 18k gold smiley rings while you're at it).

In 2013, Sunnies Studio became the go-to for affordable yet trendy sunglasses and has since expanded their range to include optical wear. The brand believes in utilizing eco-friendly materials (like biodegradable acetate, recycled polyester and plant-based plastic) in all of their eyewear and offering affordable options for everyone. Plus, their virtual try-on program ensures that you'll find frames that fit your face shape and personal style right from the comforts of your home.

Here's your sign to splurge on some new jewelry this month. Kinn Studio offers luxurious, one-of-a-kind pieces that are timeless. After her parents were robbed of all their antique jewelry, CEO Jennie Yoon decided to create a brand of modern heirlooms that not only add to your style, but also withstand the test of time. Since 2017, Kinn Studio has been doing exactly this, while using recycled metals and stones to create stunning rings, earrings and necklaces, to name a few. (Our Beauty Director Jenny Jin is a fan of their personalized nameplates because you can get them customized in your Korean, Chinese, Japanese or Vietnamese name.)

This South Asian and Sikh-owned business started out as a necessity for busy New Yorkers, who are always on the go. Kreya wanted to eliminate bulky bags, so they developed the Aurora Backpack Tote to help commuters navigate the bustling city without weighing them down. All products are crafted in leather and pay homage to South Asian culture through traditional "shadow work" techniques straight from West Bengal, India. Each bag is functional and stylish, able to transition seamlessly from work to social plans.

Inspired by the women in her life, founder Grace Wong left her career in accounting to start Jewels & Aces. She first developed the Earring Capsule, a collection of different studs, jackets and hoops that let you create endless combinations that suit your style. As stated on their site, "We're imagining jewelry for creative expression with a deep belief that the power of personal style is what makes us unique and also connects us."

Numbering has been offering bold, statement-worthy jewelry since 2020. The Korean-owned label has everything from rings and tennis bracelets to dainty necklaces that are made from eco-friendly materials. Their collection is also broken into three categories: 'Pearl Numbering,' 'Carat Numbering' and 'Numbering Timepieces,' so you can find something that fits your aesthetic.