MOCA Museum of Chinese America Legacy Awards Gala

The Museum of Chinese America, MOCA held their glamorous star studded Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street honoring Chinese Americans in the fashion field.  The Legacy Award winners were Angelica Cheung Editorial Director, VOGUE China,   Silas Chou President and CEO, Novel Holdings Group,  Calvin Tsao Architect, Tsao & McKown, and  Humberto Leon and Carol Lim Co-Founders, Opening Ceremony, and Creative Directors, Kenzo.  Funds raised at the legacy awards dinner and silent auction benefits MOCA's educational programs.

From L to R: Model Fei Fei, Angelica Cheung (Editorial Director of Vogue China), Designer Jason Wu

Piece by Designer Maya Lin (designer of the Vietnam War Memorial)

With Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang

Chiu-Ti Jansen of Chinahappenings.com in custom made red gown of her own design.

Playwright David Henry Hwang

Wearing a cocktail dress by designer and friend Cheng Huai Chuang

With Designer Angela Gao of ANGG

American Couture Fashion Superstar Rodarte

Originally published on NewYorkGirlStyle.com

This February 2012 Vogue shows the tall and lithe country singer Taylor Swift lounging on a sofa dressed in a flowing Rodarte floral print dress. When you flip through the rest of the pictures of Swift by Mario Testino, you realize that all the outfits she’s wearing is by Rodarte. Even if you haven’t heard of Rodarte, you’ve probably seen their designs. Their fantastic creations have become popular on the red carpet; and they have many fans among beautiful celebrities, including Natalie Portman, Kirsten Dunst, and Dakota Fanning. It’s fascinating to realize that only 7 years ago, sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy, who have no formal fashion training, had just launched their line, which was named after their mother’s maiden name.
Since 2005, Rodarte has won awards for their unique designs and known for their innovative fabrics. In 2008, they became the first women and first Americans to win the Swiss Textiles Award, one of fashion’s biggest monetary awards, worth 100,000 euros. In 2010, we saw Rodarte’s collaboration with the giant retailer, Target, sell out within days. Last year, Rodarte ventured into cinema, designing the costumes for the Oscar award winning movie starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis, “Black Swan”. The sisters get their influences from different subjects in the arts. One season their inspiration was Japanese horror films and their latest collection was inspired by Van Gogh. The Mulleavys have changed the face of American couture fashion. They’ve been able to do what few have been able to do in a fickle industry. Rodarte designs have managed to reach a broad audience and remain the darling of fashion editors.