Anti-Asian violence continues to be an everyday reality for the Asian-American Pacific Islander community. According to Stop AAPI Hate, there have been more than 10,000 reported cases of anti-Asian violence and harassment since the pandemic began. This represents only a sliver of reality as many hate crimes often go unreported. This year, we’ve witnessed senseless crimes against the Asian-American community, where we’ve witnessed the lives of Christina Yuna Lee and Michelle Go, be lost too soon. After the deadly Atlanta shooting last year, many have galvanized and taken to the streets to protest the violence and stand in solidarity with the AAPI community, including several members of the fashion community. Designers Phillip Lim and Prabal Gurung have helped organize a Running for Protest event in New York City and have been using their platforms to advocate for real, tangible change against anti-Asian violence. Lim and Ruba Abu-Nimah launched their initiative NY Tougher Than Ever, whose net proceeds have gone to the AAPI GoFundMe Community Fund, which supports grassroots AAPI organizations across the country. While other independent makers, including jewelry label, Svnr, are donating proceeds on select styles, like her Jingdezhen porcelain pearl earring, to go towards benefitting Stop AAPI Hate and Heart of Dinner.
Through your purchasing power, you can give back and help support the AAPI community while also championing small businesses. Below, a few ways to get involved.
Fashion designer Phillip Lim has partnered with Panda Express to help combat food insecurity in the AAPI community through the Eat More, Share More, Love More collection. Shop the cap, sweatshirt, or T-shirt, and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to charitable organizations fighting food insecurity, including Heart of Dinner, More Than a Meal, and Welcome to Chinatown. Through the simple act of sharing a meal, we give each other the space to experience humanity in its quintessence,” said Phillip Lim in a press release. You can choose to donate directly to Lim and Panda Express’s newly established fundraising campaign as well via GoFundMe.
Founded by Nikita Ramsinghani Charuza, Squigs is a new beauty brand looking to transform how you approach your “headcare” routine. Inspired by traditional Ayurvedic Indian hair oiling, a practice Charuza has personally practiced herself for many years, she developed the Gooseberry Delight Hair Oil. It’s a natural, synthetic-free oil derived from the Gooseberry plant and designed to nourish your scalp for cleaner, shinier, healthier hair. Given Squigs’s dedication to headcare, the brand is donating a percentage of all proceeds to a mental health charity.
With its effortless cool ease, it’s not surprising to understand why Commission has become a favorite among New York’s most fashionable set. The label, founded by designers Jin Kay, Dylan Cao, and Huy Luong translate their Asian heritage through pieces that are equal parts nostalgic and modern. Commission is quickly becoming a household name and whose recent foray into menswear is not one to sleep on either.
Her Place founder Joyce Lee grew up in between two cultures, Seoul and New York, where female sex empowerment was taboo in one and commonplace in another. Her Place is about championing female sexual health and sex-positivity through a newly launched beauty line called Her Scent. For the month of May, Lee is partnering with AAPI Women Lead and donating a portion of the proceeds from Her Everywhere Spray.
For over 40 years, Filipino-American, Josie Natori has been operating her famed Natori label. Specializing in soft, luxurious intimates and plush, comfortable lounge and sleepwear, there’s a reason the Natori label has had decades-long staying power.
You may have seen Our Place’s colorful, Instagram-friendly cookware splashed online or in a friend’s kitchen. The cookware label behind the famous Always Pan has since expanded to glassware, plates, and even a cast-iron skillet. And the woman behind it all is Shiza Shahid, previous CEO and co-founder of the Malala Fund, who is single-handedly changing the way Americans approach at-home cooking.
Christina Tung is the founder of sustainable jewelry label Svnr, whose use of upcycled materials brings new life to earthy, swoon-worthy jewelry. On select styles, including this Xian Lifesaver earring made of red jasper and pearl, proceeds will go towards supporting Stop AAPI Hate and Heart of Dinner.
Looking for a clean and minimalist new handbag? Look no further than Delaroq, founded by Jennifer Lyu, whose expert craftsmanship and less is more motto leaves a line of small-batch accessories that are stylish, functional, and versatile.
For first-time gua sha users, we recommend trying Yina’s Gua Sha Discovery kit. It will have all the tools you need to dive into the ancient Chinese medicinal practice of using a gua sha to depuff, tone, and smooth your skin by triggering circulation and releasing tension. In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, Yina is donating 20% of the proceeds from this kit to Asian Health Services, which aims to support and provide health care services to underserved Asian-Americans.
In a special collaboration between Notte, Find Me Now, and artist Gica Tam, they have launched a limited-edition beaded pearl necklace celebrating the AAPI community and the immigration journeys so many families have experienced. 50% of the net profits will be donated to W.O.W. Project NYC, which seeks to preserve the art and culture in Chinatown.
A quick look at Hanh’s collection, and you get a sense of their rich botanicals and mood-boosting efforts. Hanh Merriman grew up in rural Vietnam and has since traveled the globe; it is through the vibrancies of these cultures that she gets her inspiration. A portion of the proceeds from Hanh Collection sales will go towards supporting the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in Vietnam.
A clean beauty brand founded by Carol Lin and Angela Ubias, Common Heir seeks to change the narrative around clean and sustainable beauty, starting with retinol that is completely plastic-free, fragrance-free, and gentle on the skin.
A celebration of Asian-American neighborhoods in Los Angeles from Little Saigon to Little Tokyo, this special tee is a snapshot of the diverse melting pot that represents the SoCal community. Co-founders Chau Hoang and Hilary Kempkers, who are Vietnamese and Korean, curate their shop with items founded by Asian-American craftsmen, makers, and entrepreneurs.
In a special collaboration between eight AAPI beauty founders, the AAPI Bestseller Collection includes cult-favorite beauty items from Glow Recipe, JinSoon, Tower28, and more. With each gift set sold, $10 will be donated to AAPI charitable organizations, including Heart of Dinner, which helps support food insecurity in the AAPI community.
Rei Kawakubo is the Japanese fashion designer behind Comme des Garçons which has become a fixture in the fashion community since the ’60s, and today, one of the most revered designers in the industry. Shop CDG’s Play collection for wardrobe essential favorites like sweaters, striped tees, and sneakers—all at a more accessible price point compared to CDG’s avant-garde collection pieces.
Fashion designer Jason Wu recently forayed into beauty and with every purchase from Jason Wu Beauty’s lip collection, 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF).
Proud, loud Asian home cooking is the mantra of Omsom, which is founded by Vietnamese sisters Vanessa and Kim Pham. Through their flavorful sauce kits, one can easily replicate a family-style Asian dish including lemongrass barbecue, Filipino sisig, and Thai larb.
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Three Korean-founded beauty labels banded together this month to provide you with their best-selling products in celebration of AAPI month. 100% of the profits will go towards fighting AAPI hate through the Seniors Fight Back, and AAPI Women Lead organizations.
Joseph Altuzarra, who is of Chinese, American, and French descent, has been designing fashion collections for women around the world. From his dreamy tie-dye collections to chic workwear dresses, this summer, we have our eye on his Watermill tote—the perfect accessory to tote around all season long for vacations, picnics, and beach days.
Clare Ngai founded Bon Bon Whims at the start of the pandemic as a passion project, designing candy-colored, whimsical jewels while helping underserved communities championed by organizations including GirlTrek, Send Chinatown Love, and Stop AAPI Hate. Ngai’s most recent launch, the Ling Bling Ring, will have 50% of its proceeds benefit Stop Asian Hate.
Designer Phillip Lim has been a continuous advocate and supporter of the AAPI community through his efforts with NY Tougher Than Ever and in a new collaboration with Panda Express, called Eat More, Share More, Love More. With this partnership, a merch collection and a fundraising campaign will support those experiencing food insecurity in the AAPI community.
As an Indian-American, Aishwarya Iyer had a simple idea when she started Brightland—to bring fresh, clean, and delicious olive oil to the forefront. Brightland sources its oils directly from a family-run California farm, and currently, you can shop vinegar options too for that perfect pairing.
The Nepalese-American designer has always been a proponent of inclusion and diversity. In 2021, Gurung partnered with designer Phillip Lim to help organize the Running for Protest event in NYC and has continuously used his platform to advocate for the support, solidarity, and amplification of the AAPI community.
This Korean eyewear label is all about experimentation, often pushing the boundaries of what eyewear should look and feel like today. The avant-garde accessories brand has had a steady list of fashionable collaborations, including Marine Serre. And if you find yourself at one of its boutiques, brace yourself for a truly immersive brick-and-mortar experience.
Founded by husband and wife duo Yang Pei and Stephanie Li, this cult-favorite accessories line offers an array of minimalist, vegan-style handbags at affordable prices.
A destination for Asian-inspired home goods, furniture, decor, and more, Pearl River Mart’s Chinatown Collection includes an array of items for sale, including this Jing Fong mug which is an ode to the famous dim sum restaurant in New York City. In May, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Chinatown Community Fridge to fight against food insecurity.
Founded by Chinese-American Alyssa Kuchta, FYB Jewelry specializes in gold-plated and precious stone rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. The pieces help add an elegant, feminine touch to your everyday jewelry. 20% of the proceeds on all sales in May will go to support Apex for Youth.
Great makeup and skincare products that are clean and sustainable are at the root of Fiona Chen’s Youthforia. Plus, with its colorful, bright packaging and accessible price point, it’s easy to see why Youthforia is appealing to the Gen Z community and gained viral TikTok status.
Founded by designer Phillip Lim and creative director Ruba Abu-Nimah, NY Tougher Than Ever is an initiative founded on the basis of supporting underserved communities. Currently, 100% of its net proceeds go toward supporting the AAPI GoFundMe.
Founded by Sahra Nguyen, a 1st generation Vietnamese-American and daughter of refugees, Nguyen Coffee Supply sought to bring sustainable, Vietnamese single-origin robusta coffee beans to the states. Shop the brand’s beloved beans trio, brought all the way from Vietnam and roasted right here in Brooklyn. Pair the beans with a signature phin filter for the true Vietnamese coffee experience.
Made of 100% biodegradable and Silverplus antimicrobial technology, these masks are meant to last. A total of 50% of the net proceeds from the #StopAsianHate mask will go toward the AAPI GoFundMe.
Jennie Yoon, a Korean immigrant, mother, daughter, and wife, founded Kinn to pay tribute to the antique jewelry her family had owned before it was lost during a home robbery. Kinn offers a contemporary take on heirloom-style jewelry, which is meant to be passed down through generations.
Founded by Lin Chen, Pink Moon is an online self-care destination operated by women for women that offers soothing beauty essentials for the body, skin, and home. Currently, with every purchase, you can choose to donate 1% to Womankind, which supports the AAPI female community.
Zi Xuan, a former designer for Marc Jacobs and Coach, launched Advene in collaboration with Yijia Wang. Its debut style is the “Age” bag available in cream and black. It’s designed for everyday use and can be worn two ways (as a top handle for evenings out and over the shoulder for daytime).
Led by Harry Trinh, Made in Chinatown is a platform connecting design volunteers with Chinatown shops to create branded merchandise where 100% of the profits go directly back to supporting these businesses. Take, for example, these two decorative pillows designed for Wing on Wo & Co., the oldest store in Chinatown.
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