The number of Chinese-American designers aiming to make their mark in New York has risen in recent years. In the 1980s, some Chinese American designers such as Anna Sui, Yeohlee Teng, Vera Wang and Vivienne Tam emerged on the New York fashion scene as the city was transforming itself from a garment center into one of the fashion centers of the world.

The influence of Chinese-American designers has been on the rise along with the development of New York's Chinatown, as well as the increasing influence of Chinese manufacturers in the city's garment district and the fast developing outsourcing of garment manufacturing to China. Their diversified aesthetics, unique approaches to branding and personal relationship with Chinese culture have added new flavors to New York fashion and the American sense of style at large.

An exhibition in New York, guest-curated by designer Mary Ping will demonstrate the unique visions of 16 designers, showing the origins of their careers and development of signature styles, as well as their own complex relationship to the concepts of New York and Asia. Visitors can get an understanding of the rise of these Chinese American designers and their relationship to New York.

Date: April 26 to September 29

Venue: The Museum of Chinese

Website: www.mocanyc.org

(China Daily 03/29/2013 page23)