Monika Chiang

Chiang founded the lounge Double Seven in New York City's meatpacking district with restaurateur Jeffrey Jah and David Rabin in the summer of 2005,[2] and served as its managing partner.[3] The restaurant's drink selection featured cocktails developed by Chiang that were covered by media outlets including PBS,[4] the New York Times,[5] and the Toronto Star. The restaurant moved locations in July 2007.[6]

In 2011, Chiang began an eponymously named fashion collection, which included apparel, handbags, shoes, lingerie and jewellery. The Los Angeles Times described the line as "an ode to romance in seaside pales".[7] That year Chiang opened her first boutique in Los Angeles on Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood.[8] The official opening was on October 10, 2011, and was attended by film actresses and other celebrities.[9] In November 2011 Chiang launched a pop-up shop in the SoHo neighbourhood of New York City, near the intersection of Prince Street and West Broadway.[10] Chiang presented her first full collection as part of the Fall 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center in New York City on February 10, 2012. That same month her designs were featured in Vogue Magazine.[11] Chiang next opened a flagship store in New York's SoHo district in April 2012.[12] In June 2012 Marie Claire magazine called Chiang "one to watch" after her first year of designing.[13]

On September 6, 2012, Chiang presented her first spring line as a part of Spring 2013 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, with a show at The Box at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The full line was covered by publications including Forbes Magazine,[14] and New York Magazine.[15] On December 4, 2012, Chiang's New York boutique was featured on the television show Million Dollar Decorators, showing the redesign of Chiang's store provided by interior designer Mary McDonald.[16]

In 2013 Chiang showed her second fall/winter line at New York Fashion Week.[17] That year she was named by Harper's Bazaar as one of the world's 17 most promising accessories designers.[18]

Overall her style has been described by New York Magazine as designs "which have a chic, rock-and-roll twist and fuse both masculine and feminine styles".[19] She has stated that she only creates clothing that she would wear herself.[20]

• Official website