Taciturn Li
Yunze Li, known for his affinity for Junya Watanabe, Visvim, and vintage uses 3 words to describe his brand—“American, Casual, and Free”. He fits right into American Rag’s contemporary roster of global street wear brands where his trademark piece is a 1970’s vintage denim Lee jacket. The materials he uses are from Japan, Italy, France, and the US, but put together in an emerging group of boutique factories capable of producing 30,000 units instead of 300.
Goods Of Desire
Commonly known as G.O.D., Goods of Desire is a lifestyle brand and retail company based in Hong Kong. Founded in 1996 by Douglas Young and Benjamin Lau, the name ‘G.O.D.’ is the phonetic translation of the Cantonese words “to live better”. Inspired by condensed urban centers and rural environments, the company’s tongue-in-cheek designs are also inspired by Hong Kong’s progressive city life. With humor and creativity, they turn everyday subjects into practical items. From vintage packed silkscreened tee shirts to panda’s that fold into travel neck pillows, G.O.D. is a brand where east meets west and age-old traditions meet cutting-edge technology.
AMANDA SHI LOS ANGELES
Hong Kong born Amanda Shi became a designer and an entrepreneur early on in life. After being surrounded by the hustle and bustle of a Mainland China cashmere factory, she learned firsthand the exacting standards of major fashion brands. When her family moved to Canada, she became fascinated by the Western trend for vintage apparel – a concept that was still very foreign to most Chinese in the East. At twenty-three, she set out to Los Angeles where she opened a marketing office for her family’s growing network of factories. It was there that Amanda began experimenting and developing her very own line. In just seven years, she expanded two successful clothing brands all the way to the likes of Henri Bendel, Fred Segal and Saks Fifth Avenue. Her latest line of fashion is more personal though, as she is designing for women just like her—a wife, a mom, a traveler. Amanda understands that having children is a hustle in itself, so her items are cozy, yet elegant. They are feminine, yet practical for wear. They are the perfect segue for women who’s intermittent schedule only reflects their lifestyle, not their taste in clothes.
American Rag Cie 