Derek Lam is an American fashion designer. He was born in San Francisco, California and is of Chinese American parentage. Lam is the youngest of three children in his fourth-generation family. His parents had a business that imported clothes from Asia, and his grandparents ran a successful garment factory in San Francisco that specialized in bridal and wedding dresses. As a child he would sit with the seamstresses, "adoring the wedding gowns."
Derek Lam, Tod's Creative Director
Derek Lam graduated from Parsons School of Design in 1990. He started out as an assistant for Michael Kors ( Michael Kors handbags) in the 90s and worked there for four years. Then he moved to Hong Kong to work for a large retail brand. Following his Hong Kong experience, Derek Lam returned to New York and was appointed vice President of Design with the Michael Kors line.
In 2003, Derek Lam launched his own label. He debuted at the New York Fashion Week in September 2003, for the Spring/Summer 2004 collections. In 2005, Derek Lam won the CFDA Perry Ellis Swarovski Award for new designers and started his own line of clothes. In addition to clothes, Derek Lam also has a line of handbags, shoes and jewelry.
Derek Lam is known for his 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.
Derek Lam now works with Tod's ( Tod's handbags ) to create ready-to-wear. Tod's also holds the license to produce his handbags and shoes.
Derek Lam has revitalized this legendary house, Tod's, by giving it back some much needed youth but still keeping in mind the impeccable feel that is Tod's.
Tod's principal owner Diego Della Valle called Derek Lam "one of the most important and exciting design talents."
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