To say that Asian-American designers are having a fashion moment is an understatement. Over the past five years, names such as Phillip Lim, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu and Derek Lam have been taking American fashion by storm with their clean and modern silhouettes. As these designers make the transition from rising stars to household names, a new generation is emerging to follow in their footsteps.
Chinese-American Ann Yee is one of this new breed of designer. The 28-year-old Michigan native is still new to the fashion game; she officially launched her label in autumn 2009, offering easy-to-wear and detailed pieces.
In person, Yee resembles a young Anna Sui with her blunt cut fringe and black hair. But that's where the comparisons end. Her designs couldn't be further from her doppelganger's saccharine sweet, girly collections.
Yee was born to Chinese parents who moved from Hong Kong to the United States in the 1970s. She spent most of her childhood working at her parents' Chinese restaurant, although fashion was always on her mind.
'I was raised in the kitchen, but from the age of seven or eight, all I remember is spending hours sketching. I would always draw gowns, which are not my aesthetic any more, thankfully,' she says with a laugh.
'I didn't seriously think I wanted to be a fashion designer until I went to high school. Of course, my parents were not on board initially because they wanted me to do something 'realistic' like be a lawyer. But since I have started to do well, they've changed. They are incredibly supportive.'