As I surveyed the scene at Lincoln Center last weekend, all I noticed were the wave of Asian bloggers, photographers and attendees swarming the streets of West 64th Street and Columbus Avenue. For once I didn’t stand out in the fashion crowd but blended in.

This got me questioning where the industry is now and where it is heading. And as I sat down at my first show of the day and saw the first model come down the runway, it dawned on me: the Asian model movement.

The diversity within fashion modeling has always been a stagnant business. The occasional black beauties, such as Naomi Campbell, Ajak Deng and Chanel Iman, and past Asian supermodels, such as Tina Chow and Jenny Shimizu, might have even given us a glimpse into what the future would hold. But for the most part, fashion still called for the European and Brazilian faces to which it had always been so accustomed.

This New York Fashion Week, however, the supply and demand for Asian models have increased tremendously with various well-known designers featuring Asians on their runways, most of whom were used for several outfit changes. With the globalization of different business sectors moving toward the East, it is a strong and strategic move for fashion to be ahead of the game.

The main models shown continuously throughout Fashion Week have been Liu Wen, Fei Fei Shun, Ming Xi, Tao Okamoto and Wang Xiao, with many other Asian models quickly following the tally mark.

According to New York Magazine’s ‘The Cut,’ Prabal Gurung — women’s wear designer born in Singapore and raised in Nepal — thinks ‘the industry’s recent fixation on Asian fashion models is a logical move for the industry.’

The fact that there is such a demand for an Asian rather than the usual European and Brazilian model says a lot about the changes the industry wants to make. With luxury labels’ recent popularity in targeting Eastern culture, it only makes sense that they demand Asian models represent their brand.

‘You have to understand, the fashion industry reacts to the way the world is changing — the economy of the world, and politically, China and India are becoming more powerful. If they have the buying power now for luxury markets, then that means what? They want to see people like them,’ Gurung said.

Another possible reason behind the influx of Asian models could be the equally powerful stance Asian designers are making in fashion. In addition to Gurung, Asian designers, such as Joseph Altuzarra, Peter Som, Vivienne Tam, Thakoon and Alexander Wang, showcased Asians down their runways in support of their heritage.

But with fashion heavyweights, such as Donna Karan, Diane Von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger and Monique Lhullier, following the Asian model movement this season, it won’t be long until it trickles down the fashion pyramid and onto the streets.

Though the movement is still a work in progress, it is an essential change that needs to be made in the industry.

Vicki Ho is a senior public relations major. Her column appears every Thursday, and she can be reached at vho@syr.edu

Published on February 16, 2011 at 12:00 pm