10 Chinese- and Chinese-American-Owned Brands That You Should Know About
In the wake of COVID-19, it is now more important than ever to support Chinese- and Chinese-American-owned businesses. Despite the economic downturn and increasing xenophobia, these small businesses are working tirelessly to uplift their communities and preserve the integrity of their art and culture. Here are 10 Chinese and Chinese-American-owned brands that we love.
1. The Qi
Founded by Yingkuo-native Lisa Li, The Qi offers single-origin organic whole flower teas for your daily sipping ritual. The term qi – which means life energy in Chinese – signifies the revitalizing nature of flowering plants, which, according to ancient Eastern philosophy, is when a plant’s energy is at its highest. Our favorite is the deeply relaxing Blue Lotus Flower Tea from HaiNan Island, which has a rich and earthy aroma with hints of anise.
2. Song Tea & Ceramics
Founded by San Francisco-native Peter Luong, Song Tea & Ceramics is a tea apothecary that specializes in traditional, rare and experimental tea varieties from China and Taiwan. They also offer a curated collection of unique ceramics from China, Taiwan and the US in their sun-filled storefront in San Francisco. We especially love their Old Grove Honey Orchid tea, a rich oolong variety from Guangdong, China.
3. Siizu
Cofounded by Kay Wen, Kelvin Lai and Anny Wang, Siizu is a luxury apparel and jewelry brand that offers eco-friendly clothing and PETA-approved vegan handbags and accessories. Sustainability is at the forefront of this brand; Siizu’s organic fabrics are 100% natural and 100% sustainably grown containing 0% polyester or toxins. We especially love their silk clothing – sourced in Suzhou, the birthplace of silk – and their refreshingly minimal gold-plated jewelry that comes in a variety of organic shapes and sizes.
4. Wing On Wo & Co.
Founded in 1925, Wing On Wo & Co. is the oldest continually-run business in New York City’s Chinatown. Helmed by fifth generation owner Mei Lum, the nearly century-old storefront offers both traditional and jingdezhen “next-gen” porcelain ware and also serves as the headquarters of the W.O.W. Project, a community-based initiative that offers events, panel discussions and artist-in-residency programs to preserve and protect Chinatown’s creative culture and history through arts, culture and activism.
5. Cocokind
Founded by former investment banker Priscilla Tsai, Cocokind is a clean beauty brand that specializes in conscious skincare products made of natural ingredients. A cross between the words “coconut” and “kind”, Cocokind was inspired by the founder’s personal struggles with hormonal acne. We especially love their prebiotic Oat-to-Milk Cleanser, which leaves your skin soft and supple without stripping it of its natural oils.
6. Pearl River Mart
Founded in 1971 by Taiwan-natives Ming Yi and Ching Yeh Chen and currently helmed by Joanne Kwong, a daughter of Chinese immigrants and New York City-native, Pearl River Mart is an iconic art, apparel and home goods store known as “the world’s first Chinese American department store.” With three locations in New York City, Pearl River Mart has established itself as a cultural institution and a go-to destination for Chinese gifts and decor items.
7. Sage Collective
Founded by former Fondazione La Biennale di Venezia project coordinator Feng Ye, Sage Collective is a tranquil tearoom restaurant and bar in New York City. Their menu is inspired by Shennong Chinese medicine and their online shop offers a curated collection of ceramics and home goods. Through tea tastings, workshops and regular event programming, Sage Collective’s mission is to nurture Chinese culture while enhancing social harmony.
8. Bowen Liu Studio
Founded by Beijing-born designer Bowen Liu, Bowen Liu Studio offers high-quality handcrafted furniture and objects for the intentional home. The Brooklyn-based studio also offers design developing and prototyping services for other furniture brands and manufactures. We especially love the pictured Gatsby Credenza, a Prohibition-era-inspired piece that comes with a speakeasy door in the back.
9. Cha Le Tea
Founded by husband-and-wife team Charlie Zhang and Sue Wang, Cha Le Tea is a Vancouver-based tea merchant that offers a variety of high quality green, white, black, oolong, pu’er and herbal teas. We especially love their Aged Raw Pu’er Brick, a 2009 vintage pu’er variety from Menghai in Yunnan Province. For those who prefer less earthy flavors, try the Bathing Beauty, a sweet and floral tied flower tea from Fuding in Fujian Province.
10. Freja New York
Founded by Jenny Lei, Freja is a small-batch handbag and accessories brand that combines artisan craftsmanship with functional design. Their handbags are made of ultrafiber, a non-woven custom vegan fabric made by layering resin over microfiber. The result is a highly durable material with an incredibly supple finish that epitomizes guilt-free luxury. We love their Linnea Tote in Latte, a refreshingly minimal tote from their inaugural collection with ample pockets inside.