In desperate need of a fresh handbag to welcome the new month of May? You’ve arrived at the right time.
In case you missed it, the month of May is regarded as Asian American and Pacific Islander legacy Month—a month dedicated to celebrating and honouring the culture, legacy, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans in the United States. So for those who like to show support to the AAPI community through fashion and design, these Asian-owned handbags labels are a perfect fit to flaunt around the town.
Some of these Asian legacy brands have even earned approvals from Hollywood stars including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Bella Hadid, Priyanka Chopra and Jennifer Lopez. So you know they’re not just ordinary staples.
1. BOYY
The large buckle accent on the front of every BOYY handbag makes it easy to recognize. The ‘Anti-It bag’, as Business of Fashion dubbed it, quickly gained a cult following among fashion influencers and celebrities alike, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Bella Hadid, and Jennifer Lopez. Wannasiri Kongman co-founded the brand with husband Jesse Dorsey in 2006 to produce timeless accessories rather than a trendy sense, which makes their bags stand out.
Shop BOYY here.
2. Senreve
Senreve—derived from the words ‘sense’ and ‘dream’ in French—was formed in 2016 by Coral Chung and Wendy Wen with the goal of providing excellent, yet stylish, laptop bags for business-savvy women. Priyanka Chopra and Jenna Dewan are among the celebrities that have been spotted donning the label. The sophisticated, polished designs and practicality of the bags contribute to the accessories’ appeal.
Shop Senreve here.
3. DELAROQ
Jennifer Lyu created her own handbag company, DELAROQ, in 2018 after working with major fashion labels including Louis Vuitton, Prada, and 3.1 Phillip Lim. What makes this brand special is that all the items are constructed using leftover materials available in the fashion business, and they are rooted in an eco-conscious philosophy. You can find modern crossbody bags, huge totes, shoulder styles, and more under the brand.
Shop DELAROQ here.
4. APEDE Mod
Jaquelyn Wang and Claudia Lin created Apede Mod in 2016 offering handbags in simplistic forms with optimum functionality. The label’s name, combining the word ‘apede’ from an old Egyptian god named Apedemak, which means boldness and independence, and ‘mod’ stands for modern. According to the brand’s website, the creators’ inspiration for their items comes from nature, old objects, architecture, and current culture.
Shop APEDE Mod here.
5. Aesther Ekme
Minimalists lovers of Celine and Bottega Venetta will fall in love with all of Aesther Ekme’s leather bags since they possess similar streamlined forms. Stephane Park is the brand’s creator and creative director, and it is located in Copenhagen and Paris. Likewise, the designs are heavily influenced by Scandinavia. Thanks to its timeless, minimalist designs, you can rest assured these bags will stand the test of time.
Shop Aesther Ekme here.
6. Advene
Advene is the invention of Zi Xuan and Yijia Wang. Xuan has experience in the fashion sector, having spent time at Marc Jacobs and Coach, while Wang has a marketing background focused on customer behaviour. They teamed together to launch their premium accessories line which currently, they only offer one bag called ‘Age’ in two colours: black and cream. The carefully curated range is part of the brand’s message to cherish classic investment items.
Shop Advene here.
