The Take-Over: Asian Fashion

High end fashion was born and raised in Italy from fashion gurus such as Versace, Prada, and Gucci, not to mention Christian Dior and Chanel.

Thank God in the in the 1970s America broke on the scene introducing names like Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, and then again in the 1980s with Donna Karen.

So who's gaining control of the fashion market now?

If names such as Tsumori Chisato and Issey Miyake are absolutely worthless to you, you may suffer from lack of Asian fashion design knowledge.

And while the Asian fashion market is currently growing, there are more names to grasp on to so take notes.

Miyake is no stranger to the fashion industry having worked for Givenchy in Paris (1968), and Geoffery Beene in New York (1969-70) after graduating from Tama Art University in Tokyo.

His timeless collections, signature for his original fabrics, have been in museums as well as on the runways.

Miyake's pioneering has led to the success of many up and coming Asian fashion designers, including his protégé Tsumori Chisato, a well known Tokyo designer distinguished by her eccentric flowing fabrics and colorful needlework.

These and other names of Asian designers are quickly hitting the streets of fashionable cities such as New York.

Is it any surprise that these designers are making a name for themselves in the Big Apple?

Of course not.

If Italy is our fashion motif, then there is no doubt that New York is our fashion capital.

Bringing your style to New York is the best marketing strategy when it comes to selling fashion ideas as Chinese designer Peter Som found out.

This Sacramento designer launched his women's collection in 1999, some of which was introduced on HBO's hit series Sex and the City.

Sex and the City?!?!-a designer's dream come true.

Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) parading around the streets of Manhattan in your collection is a walking resume.

Out of 50 women, she was Vogue's number seven best dressed for 2004.

And to prove how well Parker does for your collection, Som's fashions have become a favorite among celebrities and high end fashion junkies.

And it doesn't stop there. From 2001 to 2005 Asian designers have been making their way to the top of the fashion "food chain" becoming popular with elite fashion gurus and their audiences.

With a little less than a glamorous studio in Jersey, Doo-Ri Chung broke on the scene in 2001 with her sleek elegant collection.

She has those dresses that fit your body to perfection no matter what size you are. Amazing!

Now that Dior, Lauren, Klein, and Louis Vuitton are becoming household names, maybe we can step away from what we know, and taste something different.

Speaking of every woman's best friend Louis Vuitton, Takashi Murakami, well known Japanese artist, did wonders for Vuitton's line.

Murakami's line of colorful cartoon print bags sold out EVERYWHERE.

But is this just the beginning of Asian fashion, or will it soon end like every other trend we love than hate?

Only time will tell, but for now get it while it's hot! Other names to look out for: Jeffrey Chow, Thakoon Panichgul, and Derek Lam.