The 25 Most Stylish Asian-Americans

Japanese, Hip-Hop Producer

While his body of work is pretty impressive (Gorillaz, Deltron 3030, Dr. Octagon, etc.), this producer truly shined with Prince Paul as the Handsome Boy Modeling School. The mustaches may have been fake, but the music, monocles, and fun suits ooze with tongue-in-cheek freshness.

Thai, Skater

Koston embodies modern-day skater style pretty well with a solid selection of graphic tees, button-downs, caps, and sneakers. His shoes for Nike SB have paid homage to both the Thai flag and the country’s revered temples.

Chinese, Actor

As the cardigan-clad Mike Chang on Glee, his token Asian character brought an endless supply of skinny jeans, high-tops, and plaid shirts to American households. Plus, as you can see here, he cleans up well.

Indian, Musicians

Heems and Dap have the “I just woke up in Brooklyn” look on lock. Acid-washed jeans, floral shirts, beat-up shoes, and untamed facial hair add to their signature look. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s certainly something they can claim.

Korean, Video Artist

Widely considered to be the first video artist, the late Nam June Paik is known for his works utilizing television sets and video projections, such as his TV Cello. His work is shown at the Guggenheim, Pompidou, Whitney, and Smithsonian Museums. He also had a penchant for crisp white button-down shirts, and looked great in them.

Japanese, Musician

As guitarist and co-founder of The Smashing Pumpkins, Mr. Iha kept his clothes a little less loud than his amp and his hair, resulting in a toned-down, classic grunge look.

Japanese, Skater

One of the early members of the iconic Zephyr Competition Team of freestyle skaters, Shogo Kubo kept his long California hair in check with a headband or a military cap, and often sported short shorts and slim shirts with cuffed sleeves. His key accessories: athletic striped socks, well-worn Vans, and an empty pool.

Filipino/Puerto Rican, Musician

Honolulu’s Bruno Mars sets himself apart sartorially from other crooners by channeling the pompadours, fedoras, and saddle shoes of the Doo-Wop area. Looking especially dapper in his “Grenade” music video and Grammy performance, his style is often as harmonious as his voice.

Chinese, Founder: Staple Design & Reed Space

Jeff Staple has long been setting the pace for the streetwear scene, and when kids traded their graphic tees for button-downs, he evolved his collection without diluting his brand.

(Photo: William Yan)

Indian, Comedian

Aziz is a very unlikely style icon, but the man is known more for being funny than looking funny. But when your friends include Kanye, some sartorial influence is due to rub off. Lately he’s been rocking the hell out of this Band of Outsiders Dinner Jacket, or as Tom Haverford would call it: “a fancy-ass bib.”

Japanese/British, Musician

When your dad looked good consistently and your mom has a history of being eccentric, it’s going to have an effect. For Sean, these influences can easily be seen in his style. Mixing classical blazers with skinny jeans and top hats, Mr. Lennon often looks his best when he keeps things simple… and when standing next to his beautiful girlfriend.

Korean, Fashion Designer

Richard and his brother Eddy (co-founder of the boutique Odin) are both pretty stylish, but designer Richard effortlessly walks the line between dressed up and dressed down on the daily. The key to Chai’s relaxed yet refined look is layering fitted pieces like plaid shirts over heather gray tees – oh, and a perpetually untucked shirt.

Chinese, Creative Director: Elle

Joe Zee is the epitome of low-key classiness. Opting mostly for well-cut suits, the part-time reality show host adds the right amount of panache to this red carpet outfit with that trench. He’s also a pretty great role model for sporting a crew cut with style.

Hawaiian, Surfer

Duke isn’t a name. It’s a title, actually christened to him on behalf of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. One of the first champions of surfing, Duke’s style included a lot of slim-fitting swim trunks, a steady rotation of Aloha shirts, and nautical-inspired items like the tee seen here.

Cambodian, Fashion Designer

Lim’s 3.1 Phillip Lim collection for men often contains little details that make the pieces their own best kept secret. The man himself exudes the same understated elegance, and is often seen rocking a scarf with swag.

Taiwanese, Fashion Designer

Alexander Wang has been hyped a lot lately, and for good reason. His menswear debut was a comfortable rebellion against the increasingly buttoned-up and bowtied industry. His designs reflect how he dresses: mostly black, lots of hoodies, and fitted sweatpants. It seems he’s a big proponent of laid-back luxury.

(Photo: Todd Selby)

Chinese-Peruvian, Co-Founder: Opening Ceremony Humberto and his partner Carol Lim run a colorful ship at Opening Ceremony. In addition to a burgeoning in-house line and collaborations with everyone from Pendleton to Chloe Sevigny, the store is also the spot to find designers like Patrik Ervell and Band of Outsiders. Humberto’s wild style definitely reflects his brand: bright but never gaudy.

(Photo: William Yan)

Indian, Prime Minister

Widely recognized for his idealism and statesmanship, Nehru looked quite dapper from a young age, and people have been biting his style ever since. He popularized the white, pointed Gandhi cap and favored rounded, flat collars – resulting in the Nehru-collared jacket. That collar has been rocked by The Beatles, Michael Jackson and, believe it, Kanye. (Ok, we know he’s not American either, but his influence is great enough to earn him on spot on the list.)

Chinese, Artist

Terence Koh does some really esoteric things with his art, for example: gold-plating and selling his feces for $500,000. Gross. His clothing choices are equally out there, throwing in things like shiny leggings with Mickey Mouse sweatshirts, and this ensemble that adds a little of his personal crazy to a modern look.

Chinese, Actor

Tony Leung’s portrayal of writer Chow Mo-wan in the films 2046 and In the Mood for Love has invaded stylish tumblrs everywhere. His tailored style, rakish behavior, and chain-smoking wouldn’t be out of place at Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Pryce—and that mustache is a lesson for anyone aspiring to rock a ‘stache. (We know he's not technically American, but his work has had a huge impact on American style and film.)

Japanese, Fashion Designer

The founder of Engineered Garments makes bloggers and buyers swoon. His style is a mixture of the utilitarian and whimsical: check the hood bib and Navajo-print tie. Him and his crew often put together some of the best kits at the Pitti Uomo fashion trade show in Italy.

Japanese, Actor

Hayakawa was one of the first and few Asian actors to achieve worldwide stardom. His best-known role is Colonel Saito in The Bridge on the River Kwai, but the man clearly deserves recognition for his timeless ability to look great in a suit and tie.

Indian, Jewelry Designer and Actor

Waris Ahluwalia makes a turban look pretty damn cool. His personal style channels Wes Anderson’s irreverent dapperness with just enough of his personal Indian style to make heads turn. Yet, he never looks uncomfortable. Amazing what a stone face and great beard can do.

(Photo: Olivier Zahm)

Chinese, Actor, Interior Designer, and Restaurateur

Michael Chow has portraits of himself done by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and David Hockney. His impeccable taste isn’t restricted to art and food, it shows in the way he dresses himself. He rocked the double-breasted blazer well enough to nab himself ladies like Grace Coddington, Tina Chow and Eva Chun. These days he’s adopted a pair of round, thick-rimmed eyeglasses as his signature.

Chinese, Martial Artist and Actor

Despite being the originator of several iconic outfits (yellow tracksuits anyone?), Mr. Lee always looked his best in a well-tailored suit and aviators. Even when he transitioned his style from the clean-cut 60s wardrobe to more flamboyant 70s looks, the man pulled off bootcut trousers and wide ties without a problem—but who was going to tell him otherwise.