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Asian American Designer Showcase: May, 2012
May 4 & 5 Richard Tsao Thai Silks
May 8 Lisa Hodsdon Kokeshi Dolls
May 9 Dat Tran Silk Scarves
May 11 & 12 Rita Chung Jade Jewelry
May 15 Harshita Lohia Block Print Silks
AsiaStore Celebrates Asian Pacific American Month with expanded collections of jewelry, apparel, accessories and home accents by featured Asian American designers, many of whom will be on hand to demonstrate their artistry and discuss the design inspiration that influenced their latest collections.
Personal Appearances 12:30-3:30pm
May 4 & 5
Richard Tsao
Thai Silks |
 Born and raised in Bangkok, of Chinese descent, now residing in New York, Tsao cultivated an early appreciation for tailoring and fine silks from his mother’s array of custom made cheong sam dresses. His simple, classic designs incorporate subtle details from Southeast Asian and Chinese traditional garments, with the rich jewel tones evocative of the tropical hues of his native Thailand. The silk Tsao uses for his designs is not mass-produced, but is hand woven from spun silk on old-fashioned looms. The painstaking process results in a lustrous fabric with a luxurious texture. This artisanal quality and attention to detail are part of Thailand’s rich arts and crafts tradition to which Tsao is deeply connected. See all products designed by Richard Tsao |
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May 8
Lisa Hodsdon
Kokeshi Dolls |
 Japanese-American artist, Lisa Hodsdon specializes in painting and design. Many years of travel and inspiration from the American and Japanese cultures have helped her grow as an artist. The Hodsdon’s, use native, local, reclaimed, and locally bought hardwoods from the Finger Lakes region of New York. Jacob oversees the woodturning and Lisa specializing in painting design. The designs for the Hodsdon’sdolls blend naturally together with the use of color and the interpretations from the traditional Kokeshi dolls. Each Kokeshi doll is unique with special attention to detail and fine craftsmanship. All dolls are signed on the bottom with a combined signature of Jacob and Lisa. See all products designed by Lisa Hodsdon |
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May 9
Dat Tran
Silk Scarves and Accessories |
 Inspired by the beauty of hand woven and hand dyed silk fabrics on his journeys to the Far East, Vietnamese American designer Dat Tran pursues his vision of producing collections of uniquely designed scarves and accessories that integrate handmade silk fabrics, high fashion and jewelry. The natural, luxurious silk yarns are meticulously raised and cultivated in remote villages of Vietnam by small communities of highly skilled silk farmers and weavers. Fabrics are then woven on antique looms, hand dyed and hand crafted by local artisans. See all products designed by Dat Tran |
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May 11 & 12
Rita Chung
Jade Jewelry |
 A connoisseur of jewelry, designer Rita Chung believes that colorful gems bring out one’s energy, while Chinese knots unite the natural elegance. A native of Macau, Rita currently resides in San Francisco where she says the energy enhances her creativity and keeps her on top of the latest trends Rita's inspiration comes from the feeling and energy she gets from the stones, resulting in the creation of a unique design, given that each stone has its own character. Her multicultural background has combined Eastern and Western flavors into the designs that range from demure to bold. Her designs are all limited editions and individually handmade. See all products designed by Rita Chung |
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May 15
Harshita Lohia
Block Print Silks |
 Harshita’s interest in arts and crafts came from her grandmother in Kolkata India. A sixth generation native of Kolkata, now residing in Philadelphia, Harshita’s designs and use of color are take inspiration from nature, manmade structures, symbols from Indian culture and simple geometrical forms. Her textile creations start with a thoughtfully crafted pattern with the final design carved into wooden blocks. Silk is hand-dyed to create an even background before the layering of textures. After the detailed texture-creation process, main motifs are hand printed on chiffon, crepe, georgette and charmeuse silk resulting in wearable art that represents her rich heritage and her unique blending east and west. See all products designed by Harshita Lohia |
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