Women mean [Fashion] Business!

Asia Society Texas Center hosted their third annual Bank of America Women’s Leadership Series, showcasing strong women in fashion. We all want to know the back story of these women, and how they came to become leading women in their industries. The event was chaired by Mandy Kao and Y. Ping Sun, while the fashion panel was moderated by Houston Chronicle’s fashion reporter, Joy Sewing. Known for her many awards, stories, and interviews ranging from Oscar de la Renta, to Beyoncé, Joy has made a name for herself in the community as a strong willed, yet oh-so fashionable individual.

Designer Chloe Dao, with samples of her work

The panelists included Chloe Dao of the DAO Chloe brand, and former winner of Project Runway Season 2. Chloe spoke about her upbringing, and how she worked her way through school to pursue her passion in the U.S. fashion capital, New York City. She has since moved back home to Houston, where she has opened up her boutique in Rice Village showcasing her own line, catering to the who’s who of Houston. She truly is a poster child of “The American Dream” and a testament to what hard work and dedication can bring. She shared her ideals on giving back by giving other young designers the opportunity to find their place in the industry through non-profit organizations and her work with the Houston Community College.

We were also joined by luxury-lifestyle designer, Becky Hollands who incorporates her Asian and British backgrounds to produce timeless and effortless custom pieces for her clients. Becky spoke about finding “proportion, balance, and fit” in each of her designs, which prove to make her business model successful.

Khanh Nguyn, creative director and designer of the Nha Khanh label, spoke about her love and passion for design, something she hopes to one day pass down to her daughter. Khanh is known for her advanced contemporary style which she incorporates elegant details and design, with new and cutting edge patterns for her clients. She pushes the boundaries on standardized pieces, and fuses feminine and masculine concepts. She uses her platform to empower women through her clothing and preaches “focus[ing] on what you do best, then fit the remaining puzzle pieces together. We cannot all be good at every aspect of our business, but we can focus on our gift, and let others handle what we don’t know.”

Naina Shah of Aditiany, shared some insight on the craftsmanship of some of the top designers in the world. The company, started by her mother in 1991, is known for their traditional Indian craftsmanship that is found in many designers ranging from Gucci, to Alexander McQueen, to Saint Laurent. As a journalism major in New York, she transitioned into the family business working alongside her family embroidery company that uses local artisans of Mumbai to produce some of the most elegant beading and embellishments on dresses, jackets, headpieces, you name it. Being a dying art, she also spoke of the companies next venture, to open schools to train the youth in the region about the traditional practices of this style. Naina herself spends time between New York and Mumbai for her work. Who could complain?!?

The speaker series was followed by a reception held on the 7th floor rooftop of The Southmore, where guests had a chance to mingle with the designers. DJ Yogi-G mixing beats while fashion shows of DAO, BECKY HOLLANDS, Nha Khanh, and Aditiany were projected onto the side of the building. Sipping cocktails and indulging in appetizers from Cordua Caterina, while overlooking Houston’s many lights was a great way to end the evening. Talk about strong women in the industry, making waves and inspiring others. A great evening hosted by Asia Society.

Photos by Katy Anderson