Bibhu Mohapatra

The news comes at a challenging time for designer brands on both sides of the Atlantic, particularly those operating without outside investment and dependent on a wholesale model.

Along with a healthy dose of raw talent, a group of South Asian American designers, hailing from India and Nepal, have leveraged their close ties to home to help build their brands and businesses.

Fashion blurs gender boundaries (Telegraph) "Transsexuals, transvestites and models with no clear gender affiliation are all the rage in current