The Stereotyping of "Asian" Fashion: Style

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Is “Asian” style different from Western or fashion in general? Culturally, Asians do have different fashion styles, as different countries have different heritage and cultural backgrounds that build consumer fashion. But, does it mean that Asia has its own group in the market (Fox-Suliaman, 2023)? There are many things that actually hinder Asian fashion to become universal and diverse to fashion industry.

Noon (2020). Kpop Brand Ambassadors. [Webiste] Starbiz. Available at: https://starbiz.net/k-style/k-pop-idols-global-korean-ambassadors-of-top-15-luxury-brand-fashion-houses-exo-members-top-7-brands-of-them [Accessed 20 Jul. 2023].

Yohji Yamato Bag

A lot of Asian designers have worked hard to get their name in the fashion industry, yet not everyone likes their designs, especially when it is connected to cultural designs. For instance, Yohji Yamato, a Japanese designer that creates traditional Japanese bags adapted to a modern design, may not be appreciated or even questioned ass to the design and quality of his pieces (Fox-Suliaman, 2023). On the other hand, Kenzo, made it to the market by bringing the Asian cultural design in real life (Fox-Suliaman, 2023).

Embrace Culture with Toton

Aglaea Collection by Hian Tjen

Vice versa, does Westerners wear Asian fashion or brands? Uniqlo is Asian brand that changes the fashion world to become made for everyone (Explains, 2020). “Asian” doesn’t only cater especially for Asian, but embraces cultural diversity through fashion as the expression.

Tropez Collection by Duma Official

Carina Agatha in Claude

“Asian” fashion is made for everyone, which help to increase the world economy for Asia (Explains, 2020). The fact is that Asians wear Western fashion and Westerners also wear Asian fashion. For instance, K–Pop fashion, which has now dominated the world’s fashion industry, feature brands like Chanel and Bvlgari, whose their influence works for Western market through their style (Chan, 2020).

Nesvig, K. (2023). Bvlgari Brand Ambassadors. [Website] Teen Vogue. Available at: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/zendaya-blackpink-lisa-anne-hathaway-bulgari-mediterranea-high-jewelry-event [Accessed 20 Jul. 2023].

Asian fashion may be specific, yet it is made for everyone. The style trends are also influenced by Western culture, not only Asian ones. The differences of the styles are only the features that make it a unique statement. This is to introduce Asia’s heritage to the Western culture through the expression of fashion, not to differentiate “Asian” style. Furthermore, “Asian” style needs to break from its stereotyping, to prevent fashion from practising discrimination, as fashion is one way to represent diversity and being friendship between Asian and Western culture (Fox-Suliaman, 2023). This also one of the ways to fight racism, by shopping from both local and international brands (Fox-Suliaman, 2023).

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Reference:

Chan, C. (2020). BlackPink continues world domination in the fashion realm with Saint Laurent’s latest season. [online] Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong. Available at: https://www.lifestyleasia.com/hk/style/fashion/blackpink-continues-world-domination-in-the-fashion-realm-saint-laurent-campaign-solgerino-satchel/ [Accessed 15 Jul. 2023].

Explains, K. (2020). Uniqlo’s Quest for World Domination. [online] Medium. Available at: https://bettermarketing.pub/uniqlos-quest-for-world-domination-9e38ad3c4586 [Accessed 15 Jul. 2023].

Fox-Suliaman, J. (2023). 20 Asian Designers Who Have Changed the Fashion Industry. [online] Who What Wear. Available at: https://www.whowhatwear.com/asian-designers [Accessed 9 Jul. 2023].