Born the son of clothing importers and grandson of garment factory owners in San Francisco, Chinese-American designer Derek Lam has spent his life immersed in fashion. After graduating from Parsons School of Design in 1990 and then spending several years working throughout China and in the U.S. with American designer Michael Kors, Lam founded his own brand in 2002 and debuted the eponymous line at New York Fashion Week in September of 2003.

"It's always about luxury while at the same time feeling casual and relaxed."