Derek Lam (born 1967) is an American fashion designer. In addition to designing his own line, Lam was Tod's creative director for ready-to-wear and accessories from 2005 until 2010.

Early life and education Lam was born in San Francisco, California and is of Chinese American parentage. Lam is the youngest of three children in his fourth-generation family. His parents had a business that imported clothes from Asia, and his grandparents ran a successful garment factory in San Francisco that specialized in bridal and wedding dresses.Understated Elegance of Derek LamLuxury in a Bell Jar

Lam graduated in 1990 from Parsons School of Design in Manhattan.

Career Early beginnings Lam began working as an assistant for Michael Kors in the 90s and worked there for four years. Lam then moved to Hong Kong to work for a large retail brand. Following his Hong Kong experience, Derek returned to New York and was appointed Vice President of Design for Michael Kors' Kors line.

Derek Lam, 2003–2020 In 2003, Lam launched his own label. He debuted at the New York Fashion Week in September 2003. In 2005, Lam won the runner-up prize in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund competition as well as the CFDA Perry Ellis Swarovski Award for new designers.

In the following years, Derek Lam and Derek Lam 10 Crosby brands soon expanded to include shoes and handbags collections. In 2006, Lam also signed a three-year worldwide licensing deal with New York-based Modo to manufacture and distribute Derek Lam-branded eyewear.Marc Karimzadeh (21 June 2006), Derek Lam Signs Licensing Deals With Tod’s, Modo Women's Wear Daily.

From 2008 to 2012, the JAB Holding Company's Labelux division held a majority stake in Derek Lam.Samantha Conti (7 November 2012), Labelux Sells Derek Lam Business Women's Wear Daily. In 2009, the brand opened a store designed by the Japanese architecture firm, SANAA, but it eventually closed. In February 2010, the brand launched an e-commerce website selling the collections of ready-to-wear and accessories.

In 2012, Lam entered into a global licensing agreement with Schwartz & Benjamin, which handled design, manufacturing and wholesale for the expanded collection of Derek Lam shoes.Samantha Conti (7 November 2012), Labelux Sells Derek Lam Business Women's Wear Daily.

Beginning with the spring 2018 season, Derek Lam introduced beachwear to his collection through a license with Swiss-based Italian manufacturing firm Albisetti.Jessica Iredale (14 February 2017), Derek Lam to Add Beachwear Women's Wear Daily.

In 2019, Lam closed his eponymous luxury collectionLauren Indvik (13 February 2020), What’s ailing American fashion? Financial Times. to focus more on Derek Lam 10 Crosby – which at the time accounted for 70 percent of the company’s overall business –Sharon Edelson (30 January 2020), Derek Lam Business Sold to Public Clothing Company Women's Wear Daily. and its expansion to contemporary styles. In January 2020, Public Clothing Company acquired the Derek Lam brand. Lam remained the Chief Creative Officer of the Derek Lam business, including Derek Lam 10 Crosby. Regarding the sale, Lam said in an interview, “Dan and his team have a tremendous opportunity to grow the branded business, both geographically and with new product categories. There’s a huge opportunity in international that has essentially been untapped."

Tod’s, 2006–2012 In 2006, Diego Della Valle signed Derek Lam up to create a clothing brand for Tod's.Vanessa Friedman (20 September 2012), Diego Della Valle’s latest trend Financial Times. In 2008, Lam presented the brand's first-ever jewelry collection.Sarah Haight (1 November 2008), Lam Piles It On W.

In 2010, Tod’s extended its contract with Lam for another two years.Suzy Menkes (28 September 2010), Extras With Artistry International Herald Tribune. In 2012, the company announced that Lam would be leaving at the end of his contract in September that year.Eric Wilson (21 September 2012), Fancy Footwear in Milan New York Times.

Derek Lam 10 Crosby, 2011–2023 In 2011, Lam launched the Derek Lam 10 Crosby diffusion line.Marc Karimzadeh (18 May 2011), Derek Lam Launches 10 Crosby Women's Wear Daily.

In 2015, Lam launched a fragrance collection under the Derek Lam 10 Crosby brand; by 2018, the Derek Lam beauty license was acquired by the Premiere Group.Allison Collins (10 December 2018), Premiere Group Inks Derek Lam Beauty License Women's Wear Daily.

Also in 2015, Lam and Modo entered a worldwide licensing agreement for the design, manufacture and distribution of eyewear frames and sunglasses under the Derek Lam 10 Crosby brand.Lauren McCarthy (6 August 2015), Derek Lam in New Eyewear Deal With Modo Women's Wear Daily.

Lam is also incorporating sustainable fashion into his collections. Lam is using non-chromed leather and eco-viscose in his designs. Use of recycled cashmere and polyester and raw eco materials in knitwear are also areas he is expanding upon.

In an interview, Lam said the most challenging part of his job is that many people use the product now. As a result, launching a new design is not only about his own preferences; he and his team consider how people will use it and expect a strong response from users.

Lam ended his work for Derek Lam 10 Crosby in 2023.Booth Moore (12 January 2024), EXCLUSIVE: Derek Lam Is Returning to Fashion Women's Wear Daily.

Câllas Milano, 2024–present In 2024, Lam joined Italian brand Câllas Milano as creative director.Booth Moore (12 January 2024), EXCLUSIVE: Derek Lam Is Returning to Fashion Women's Wear Daily.

Personal life Lam is married to Jan-Hendrik Schlottmann (born 1965), also his business partner. They lived in Gramercy Park, ManhattanDerek Lam moves to Gramercy ParkTastemakers – Derek Lam before moving to Paris in 2023.Booth Moore (12 January 2024), EXCLUSIVE: Derek Lam Is Returning to Fashion Women's Wear Daily.

Filmography Seamless, 2005

See also Chinese people in New York City LGBT culture in New York City List of LGBT people from New York City NYC Pride March

References

External links Official website