Fashion designer Derek Lam was born in San Francisco, and is 4th generation Chinese American. Growing up the youngest of three children, his parents had a business that imported clothes from Asia.

Additionally, his grandparents ran a garment factory that focused on bridal and wedding dresses where he would sit with the seamstresses watching them create wedding gowns as a child.

After graduating from Parsons School of Design in 1990, Lam began working as an assistant for Michael Kors and spent four years at Kors. Then after moving to Hong Kong to work for a large retail brand, he returned to New York and was appointed vice President of Design for Michael Kors’ Kors line.

Derek launched his own label with his debut at the New York Fashion Week in September 2003. In 2005, Lam won the CFDA Perry Ellis Swarovski Award for new designers and started his own line of clothes. In addition to clothes, Derek Lam also has a line of shoes and jewlery. In February 2010, Lam opened his online store retailing an edited collection of ready-to-wear and accessories.

This year, Karlie Kloss walked for his Fall 2011 collection at the Lincoln Center.

Thanks to my sponsors for being a part of making this trip possible through your generous support.

Sponsors Credit: PSGIVE – Popularhispanics.com – Precision Camera – Cotton Carrier

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