In every major urban capital, there exists a familiar mosaic of streets; an area with humble beginnings – a refuge of sorts that has spun itself into a neighborhood with economic and political clout. Travel to a Chinatown in London, Mumbai or Washington, D.C., and you’ll find similarities – vendors with incredible deals, dim sum and fresh produce options.
But like human beings, no two cities are exactly alike. As one of the first ethnic enclaves in North America, New York’s Chinatown is home to one of the city’s oldest jewellery districts and textile emporiums. Amid the bustle and dizzying storefront lights, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) quietly sits as a testament to the community’s storied past.
MOCA’s latest exhibit, Front Row: Chinese American Designers, celebrates designers who have stepped into the limelight, building labels that have become institutions unto themselves. Guest curated by designer Mary Ping, the retrospective features pioneers like Anna Sui and Vivienne Tam; their experiences in the fashion industry are gently contrasted with the rise of young talents like Jason Wu and Opening Ceremony’s Carol Lim and Humberto Leon. READ MORE