Leading AAPI Brands on Com...

Check out our collection of Asian American and Pacific Islander brands on Complex Shop here.

AAPI creatives have been shaping streetwear, fashion, and culture for decades. Their contributions are impossible to ignore. From Tokyo to New York to Los Angeles, these brands are boldly declaring their heritage and making a mark on a global scale. Legacy names like Bape helped open the doors, while younger brands like Afield Out and Art Community are pushing the conversation forward. Here are ten brands you should keep an eye on.

Born from a camping trip by creative minds of Santa Ana natives Brian Chor and Kalynn Nguyen, Afield Out has elevated what outdoorwear looks like since 2017. With a love for countercultural movements, the brand makes gear that feels just as at home at a campsite as it does in the city. Titanium cookware, utility vests, and tees with punk-inspired graphics reminds us that not all outdoor gear needs to look and feel like it came from REI.

Founded by Filipino American designer Lorenz Christopher Tomaneng and his friends, Art Community is a Los Angeles-based brand built on creativity and connection. The label’s popular Triptych pants are designed to merge three styles—pleated slacks, jeans, and work pants—a nod to how the brand operates as a collective. Its script logo, pulled from the ancient Baybayin language of the Philippines and meaning “to be able to do,” ties back to the idea of creating without limits.

Founded by Nigo in Tokyo’s Ura-Harajuku scene in 1993, Bape is the blueprint of modern streetwear. Known for its camouflage prints, Ape Head logo, and the Shark Hoodie, Bape blended Japanese pop culture, Americana, and hip-hop references into a new visual language that felt global from the start. By the early 2000s, Bape was a staple among artists like Pharrell Williams, cementing its status outside of Japan. In a time when Western fashion still dominated streetwear conversations, Bape made Asian taste a global force. Its legacy lives on through every streetwear brand.

Founded in 2003 by Edison Chen, Clot emerged as a pioneering force in Hong Kong’s streetwear scene. The brand’s mission has always been to bridge Eastern and Western cultures, a vision evident in its designs and its ongoing collaboration with Adidas. Clot integrates traditional Chinese silhouettes and patterns with streetwear silhouettes like shirts and track jackets, emphasizing a modern portrayal of Chinese heritage.

Fried Rice is a New York-based brand founded by Maya Wang that’s built on the eclectic energy and cultural diversity of the Lower East Side. A self-taught Chinese American designer, Wang weaves her heritage into every piece. You’ll find deconstructed trench coats, colorful faux fur jackets, and distressed work jackets that capture the brand’s identity in its detail.

Born and raised in Chicago, Filipino American artist Louis De Guzman has built a world where heritage and pop culture collide. Using his geometric, abstract style, De Guzman has reimagined everything from Sonic the Hedgehog to Baby Milo through his own lens.

Nanga has a long heritage rooted in craftsmanship. Founded in 1941 in Japan, the brand started by making cotton futons before evolving into one of the most respected names in technical outerwear. The Japanese outdoor brand built its name on premium down gear, from expedition-ready sleeping bags to jackets made for the harshest conditions. You can find the brand’s collab with Afield Out on Complex Shop.

Founded by Shohei Kimura in 2017, Rice Nine Ten reimagines American prep with a Tokyo twist. After his time in New York, Kimura took inspiration from classic Americana. He turns traditional items like rugby shirts, jerseys, and fishing vests into knits. The final results are things that feel familiar but fresh.

Founded by Filipino American friends JB Acio and Brian Hwang in San Jose, Sago Studio started as a garage project and quickly grew into a rising name in West Coast streetwear. Known for its paisley mesh shorts, oversized hoodies, and clean monochrome pieces, the brand combines Filipino heritage with California cool. Beyond the clothes, Sago is about giving back. It regularly donates to communities in the Philippines and stays true to the culture that raised it.

Suicoke started as a Japanese brand making hand-painted Russian dolls in 2011. Now, it’s known for its cool sandals. With custom chunky Vibram soles and minimal design language, Suicoke’s outdoor-inspired gear feels at home in the city. Collabs with brands like Story Mfg. and Golf Wang helped push them to a worldwide audience.

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