Design by Yoora Kim
It has been a difficult year and a half for the AAPI community with an increase in anti-Asian hate crimes and racial harassment. Celebrities such as K-Pop phenoms BTS, Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee and “To All The Boys I’ve Ever Loved Before” actress Lana Condor have spoken out against anti-Asian hatred, calling out fans to condemn the violence and to stand with their AAPI friends and family.
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Chriselle Lim spoke with Seventeen how important Asian representation is – especially in such a tumultuous time. “Growing up and watching the media, I didn’t see anyone who looked like me, and I immediately wanted to watch do not like me, so I didn’t look Asian. It’s so important that brands can show more Asian faces. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still a lot of work to do.”
Chriselle is right – and it’s especially important to support companies that are elevating the AAPI community by destigmatizing the conversation around mental health, like fashion brand Love, Bonito. Chriselle is working with the Southeast Asian Society to donate $20,000 to the Asian Mental Health Project because “even before the pandemic, the Asian community was the ethnic group least likely to access health treatment mental health due to the systemic barriers and stigma around mental health.” Chriselle tells us that “coupled with racism related to COVID-19, there is a lot of shame, fear and guilt. So it’s important to take concrete steps to create a better future for our community.”
When it comes to supporting Asian businesses, Chriselle tells Seventeen that “the best way to support a community is to put money back into the community to enable more opportunities and resources to nurture the next generation, [who will] hope to live in a more equal society.”
Maybe you already support the AAPI community on a daily basis by buying your boba from a local Asian business, stocking Asian-owned beauty brands, or watching movies that tell AAPI stories, like boobies rich asian or See red. These are all big steps – and you can continue to vote with your dollar by also supporting entrepreneurs who have launched Asian fashion and accessories brands. It doesn’t hurt that these AAPI-owned fashion brands really do, really cute clothes.
You do not know where to start ? We’ve put together a list of the cutest items to buy from the hottest Asian fashion brands that should be totally on your radar for AAPI month and beyond!
Parts of this interview have been lightly edited for clarity.
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