The Slaysians

They work hard, they play harder. Five fashion insiders who made it big in New York talk about the challenges they faced, the power of family and what’s for dinner Photography by Bridget Fleming. Styling by Dora Fung

As a new generation of Asian designers transform the very image of not only who makes, but also creates fashion today, some of them also want to change how the fashion game is played. Nowhere is this more obvious than New York City, where Asian-American designers have banded together to form their own support network, both of power and play.

They call themselves the “Slaysians,” and their members include designers like Phillip Lim, Prabal Gurung and Laura Kim (co-creative director of Monse and Oscar de la Renta), as well as the stylist Tina Leung and restaurateur Ezra William, who often gather over home-cooked meals to talk all things fashion. Even when they’re apart, you can find them on their phones, usually in a group chat. Let’s listen in:

Phillip Lim: Good morning, Slaysians. So much happening.

Ezra William: Good morning! I’m currently in LA. Been here since Saturday! Things are good. Excited about life.

PL: My dayzzzzz are bananas. I think we started this Slaysians group chat to find solace in each other and dealing with our respective Cray Cray lives. Basically we are Asians who have to slay all day!

EW: It is not easy to find real friendships in the city, or actually anywhere you go. I think our group is a safe haven, a place to really love and learn from one another.

Prabal Gurung: Can I tell you my morning? Wake up, work out for an hour and a half, breakfast with mom, chat with my sis in Nepal and bro in Mumbai, haircut, chatting with my Slaysians. The fall show is in 12 days, or shall I say in 300 hours, at the Rainbow Room. Can someone say, hello, slow day?

Laura Kim: I’ve known Prabal for years, since I was Oscar de la Renta’s assistant and Prabal worked for Bill Blass.