Bliss Lau

Invariably seeking to blur the lines between the garment and accessory, Bliss Lau represents the juxtaposition of culture, design and aesthetic; half Chinese and half American, Bliss was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and educated in New York City. Bliss launched her handbag collection immediately after completing a degree in apparel design from Parsons School of Design and finally four years later transitioned the collection into the markedly distinct body-jewelry of today.

By virtue of her approach to design and accessorize without boundaries, jewelry has become a new medium: a method to reshape and enhance the most beautiful and forgotten parts of the body. All of the jewelry is created and designed three-dimensionally using traditional garment draping techniques. Each season, Bliss focuses on a new part of the body to enhance and decorate. Her inspiration is found in history, the study of Hawaiian culture, corsets and armor, as well as the architecture of New York such as the Brooklyn Bridge and Chrysler building.

Apex

APEX (Asian Professional Extension, Inc.) empowers underserved Asian American youth in New York City through a combination of educational programs and one-to-one mentoring relationships. The educational component bridges educational achievement gaps; our one-to-one mentoring programs nurture each student’s unique talents. Together, and with the support of community partners, these tailored programs seek to foster a spirit of achievement and leadership in today’s youth.