Derek Lam – Designer Biography

Derek Lam is a high-end American fashion designer, born in San Francisco, California of Chinese American parentage. As a child Lam grew up in a family that owned a clothing import company, and had grandparents who ran a successful garment factory specializing in bridal and wedding dresses.

Lam graduated from the Parsons School of Design in 1990, and took a job as an assistant for Michael Kors in the 90s. After working with Michael Kors for four years, Lam moved to Hong Kong to work for a large retail brand. Following his Hong Kong experience, he returned to New York and was appointed vice President of Design with the Kors line.

In 2003, Derek Lam launched his own label, and it was debuted at the New York Fashion Week event in September of 2003, for the Spring/Summer 2004 collections. In addition to clothes, Derek Lam also produces a gorgeous collection of shoes, jewelry, and handbags.

The Derek Lam label is known for it’s pretty, girly fabrics backed by clean, crisp silhouettes. Signature pieces include raw silk sheath dresses with plunging necklines, wide-leg trousers in various wools and dainty cashmere pea coats cinched with stiff silk belts.

Today, his creations are worn and loved by celebrities such as Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, Naomi Watts, Natalie Portman, Rachel Weisz, Kate Hudson, Kate Beckinsale, Julia Louis Dreyfus, and Jessica Simpson, among others.