Lin Ban Brings Fashion Industry Insights To ‘Falling Empires’ – WWD

The first teaser clip for “Bling Empire: New York” suggests that the latest spin-off of the popular Netflix series will include the usual lavish excesses, love affairs and social squabbles.

But there will be dimensions of commercial reality, too, thanks to cast member Lin Ban, who allowed camera crews to follow her post-pandemic relaunch of her fine jewelry brand and designed a new resort suite for the Como hotel chain.

“I’m fortunate to have been able to start my own business, but let’s face it — there are no shortcuts to building a career for anyone,” Ban said in an interview, highlighting some of the challenges unique to Asian Americans.

“Beneath the surface, there are pressures that we all face in unique ways,” she says. “We continue to seek cultural differences, family assumptions, assimilation as Asian women in America — and old-fashioned approval.”

While the storylines are closely guarded, Ban said the reality series is “the best of the best.” To counter the Rector’s “Crazy Rich Asia” mentality. It’s not just their private jets, shopping sprees, and party lives that help — and it’s not just their private jets, shopping sprees and party lives that are fun and glamorous. “

“Bling Empire: New York” also features stylist and influencer Tina Leung, Couture-Week regular Stephen Hung and his wife Deborah, plus a cameo by Michael Kors, the trailer shows.

The first “Bling Empire” produced by Jeff Jenkins and set in Los Angeles, California premiered in 2021 and the third series has started airing soon. A release date for New York Spins has yet to be announced.

Ban said she was approached through a mutual friend by American TV producer Jenkins from “The Easy Life” and “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” — and was skeptical at first.

But she finally won the opportunity to “represent Asian professional women” and reach up to 80 million viewers.

“I wanted to share my story of immigrating here, establishing myself and being an Asian mother, wife and designer in the fashion industry,” said Ban, who was born and raised in Singapore. To America when she was four years old.

But trust Bane — one of fashion’s most powerful fashion boards and archivist of designer fashions — to admire her outfits, not borrow a single one.

“My clothes are 100 percent mine,” she says, describing vintage Alia, Thierry Mugler, Chanel, Versace, Alexander McQueen and John Galliano-era Dior alongside Rick Owens, Balenciaga, Halpern, Noir Kay on the latest runways. Ninomiya, Junya Watanabe, Gucci and Maison Margiela.

“The fashion industry can be seen as glamorous or risqué, but I see it as about fantasy and escapism,” she says. “Fashion brings me joy.

“We weren’t given any notes on how to dress, so I attended as usual,” she added, adding, “In some cases, my fashion was definitely my costar.”

Ban first gained notoriety in the early aughts for her expertise and cachet of vintage couture and accessories, at Barneys New York, Harvey Nichols in London and Selux, Louis Vuitton’s private club in Tokyo.

In the year In 2011, she left the vintage coat retailer to open her own fine jewelry collection, making many custom items for herself. Her designs like thorns, bullets, scythes, ancient armor, smoking lips and guitars are amazing and unusual.

Her debut collection was picked up by the likes of Barneys, Maxfield, Dover Street Market, Net-a-porter and Matchesfashion.com – and worn by celebrities including Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Niki Minaj.

During the pandemic, Ban reduced her distribution and only offered custom commissions to private clients.

The Netflix series is ahead of the planned reboot of her jewelry brand, but she wears some of it on the show.

In the interview, she hinted at further extensions of her fashion business as she approached potential partners in accessories, fashion and accessories.

The Lin Ban Resort Collection will launch early next year at 12 Como Resort stores, including locations in Bali, the Maldives, Phuket and Paro Cay.

When asked by New York’s “Bling Empire” if he could set fashion trends, Ban retorted: “I feel the most important fashion trend is being yourself — it’s not all about labels and logos.”

Admitting that she’s not partial to naming labels — she’s known for wearing bolder looks from the likes of Comme de Garçon and Tomoe Koizumi — Ban says her mantra is to “always make a statement, be bold and be your authentic self.” When you wear a look that puts a smile on someone’s face and makes you feel powerful and strong, it hits all the right notes. Fashion is an extension of who I am.”