Future of Asia Fashion at the Collection 2017 / NYFW
Each year, the Asia Fashion Collection gives a group of up and coming young Asian designers the opportunity to show their collection at New York Fashion Week. Specifically, they are chosen via a region wide competition hosted by the Vantan Design Institute and PARCO, these designers represent the future of Asia fashion. Moreover, this representation highlights the exciting prospects for Asian fashion’s future. This year saw a diverse group on the runway with representatives from Japan, Corea, Taiwan. In addition, for the first time, an alumni of Parsons School of Design in New York also participated.
Cultural Narratives Take the Runway
Each designer, in turn, brings a unique socio-cultural perspective to the runway, with influences ranging from commercial aspiration to the everyday. For example, New York City served as the inspiration for Mei Takeuchi’s street fashion collection for her brand Behind. In particular, she assembled the collection from a series of original textiles in black and yellow with white accents. Furthermore, Takeuchi incorporated symbols from around the city to create a strong, upscale urban collection that brings lux to the street.
From Road Trip Aesthetics to Urban Elegance
R.Y/S.H designers Ryunosuke Yamada and Stella Huang bought a militaristic vibe to their women’s wear collection. They gave us a series of coats with strong silhouettes, some of the morning’s strongest pieces. The Asia Fashion Collection closed with a bespoke one of a kind suits for men and women by Gahee Lim. Gahee Lim crafted each piece with brightly layered tulle and visibly hand-stitched colored thread. Though decorative, each thread was essential to the garments construction. Each piece was a testament to Lim’s vision, shaping the future in Asian fashion.
Bold Silhouettes and Bespoke Visions
Asia Fashion designer Dairiku Okamoto also drew on American themes for a men’s wear collection with a retro feel. Inspired by a teenage boy going to the city, the collection was emblazoned with iconic signs referencing the classic American road trip. Cecilia Chang for Ceci, Jaesung Chung for J Chung, and Kevin Ho for Kevin Ho. They all showed more mainstream collections aimed at the contemporary urban woman.
Japanese fashion bloggers Tomoco Nozaki and Alisa Ueno attended Asia Fashion Collection. They contributed their insights into exploring Asian fashion’s future. Ueno is also the Creative Director for the Japan based ladies brand Fig and Viper. The brand symbolizes the growing influence and future of Asia fashion. Featuring designers who shape Asia’s fashion future.
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Thomas is the author of the books The Business of Fine Art Photography, Routledge, New York, and The Fashion Image for Bloomsbury Publishing, London, with an upcoming book co-authored with Microsoft BING and AI team leader Derrick Connell due out in early 2026. He is also an Editor at Large for IRKmagazine, Board Member for the Santa Fe Council CENTER for Photographic Art, and past Photography Program Director at Parsons School of Design in New York. He is the former owner of Thomas Werner Gallery in Manhattan’s Chelsea Art District, and a former National Board member and New York Chapter President for the American Society of Media Photographers. As well as a former Advisory Board Member for Ithaca College’s Executive Education Program, contributor to Adobe’s Lightroom Academy, and a photography consultant for COACH, among others.
Werner led a team developing a media and literacy website for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations/UNESCO and was a recurring instructor for the United Nations Education First Summer School. From 2005 – 2019 he worked with the United States Department of State on cultural projects in Russia partnering with 32 cultural, educational, and governmental organizations to develop projects in 29 cities. As an exhibiting artist Thomas was represented by galleries in New York and Los Angeles, and his work reviewed in The New Yorker Magazine.
Currently a creative consultant, Thomas works one on one with students, creatives, businesses, cultural institutions, and not for profits, helping them with career development, team management, innovation, education, professional practices, and the development of effective communication across multiple media platforms.
For fourteen years his research was Russia centric spending an average of 30 days a year in the country. The focus was the introduction of contemporary education methodologies, and the development of creative cultures within the country. Russian partners have included; The State Hermitage Museum, the National Center of Contemporary Art, Perm Regional Government, The Moscow Biennale for Young Art, National Centre of Photography for the Russian Federation, The Central State Archive of Film, Photographic and Phonographic Documents, The Moscow Biennale, The Pro Arte Foundation, and others. He has curated exhibitions in the United States and abroad, including seven co-curated exhibitions at the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. His private collection of Russian photographs and artifacts have been exhibited internationally.
Thomaswernerprojects.com @Thomaswernerprojects IG
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