The designer numbers Elton John and Madonna among his patrons.
Featured image credit: Peter Lai Designs & Asian Village
We’ve sung the praises of Little Tokyo on this blog before, so don’t take this as any kind of disrespect. But if you’re looking for something truly unique, you may want to peer beyond the surface-level Little Tokyo shops to a hidden pearl that you won’t find anywhere else. Lodged between Little Tokyo and the Arts District, Peter Lai’s Asian Village is, in some ways, the closest you’ll get to an authentic Japanese or Chinese experience in LA. And in other ways, it’s unlike anywhere else in the world.
A Vision Transcending Cultures
With an illustrious three-decade career as a visionary designer and fashion trailblazer, Peter Lai seems like he descended from the stars. But he was actually born in Hong Kong in 1951 into a family of costumers working in theater, television, and film. They were regularly employed to bring flamboyance and color to productions at the Chinese Opera and to meet the ever-changing needs of the region’s entertainment industry well into the mid-1970s. Lai even became an active part of the family business at the age of 12, learning the foundations of his craft.
Through his formative years, Lai was exposed to the most beautiful designs in Chinese history. But his hunger for elegance and grace couldn’t be constrained by culture. At the age of 18, he fell under the spell of Japanese fashion, growing obsessed with Japan’s culture in the process. It inspired him to leave everything he knew behind, chasing elegant style all across Asia and Europe, spurred on by an insatiable need for vibrant, distinguished beauty. The pilgrimage eventually wound through Los Angeles where Lai enrolled at Otis College of Art and Design, achieving his degree in fashion.
The Illustrious Career of Peter Lai
Perhaps that’s where everything would have ground to a halt had it not been for Lai’s peerless work ethic. Speaking to KTLA in 2023, the acclaimed designer admitted that in the early days of his career, work was an all-consuming focus. “I just work hard with my old job,” he explained. “And then besides that, I work extra. I sleep less. I don’t go out when you go out for a party or a vacation… I’m still working.”
Lai also had to struggle to overcome racial stereotypes, trying to build a high-end fashion brand while using his birth name. Several well-meaning though misguided supporters suggested he use a French pseudonym to give his designs more credibility. Lai recognized by doing so, he’d not only betray his heritage but the influences that had so strongly inspired him. These prejudices meant he needed to work three times as hard to give his brand the recognition it rightfully deserved.
This discipline and perseverance paid off when his daring fusion of traditional Chinese and Japanese influences with modern and even futuristic flamboyance started to catch the eyes of the city’s wealthy and elite. The blend of hard work and vision earned Lai the patronage of luminaries such as Madonna, Elizabeth Taylor, and Elton John. By 1990, he was successful enough to open a boutique shop in the heart of Hollywood on chic Melrose Avenue.
Peter Lai’s Asian Village Isn’t Like Other Little Tokyo Shops
After decades of breathing color into Hollywood with his uncompromising vision, Lai retired in 2013. But evincing the tirelessness so characteristic of artists, Lai continued to work behind the scenes. The fruits of his labors are available almost exclusively through Peter Lai’s Asian Village; a 5,000-square-foot loft space between Little Tokyo and the Arts District stuffed to the rafters with memorabilia, trinkets, antiques, and high fashion. It also just so happens to be Lai’s home.
An appointment and admission fee are all that you need for a guided tour of Lai’s archive with the artist himself at the helm. It draws a striking contrast to the nearby Little Tokyo shops with their more traditional take on Japanese fashions. Lai continues to deconstruct the boundaries between Chinese and Japanese traditional designs while infusing his own distinct vibrance.
Visiting Peter Lai’s Asian Village
Lai has organized his space somewhat like a museum with themed collections arranged with a conscientious flow. Guests can expect to see ornate fans and intricate kimonos, delicate ceramics, and opulent costumes. Some are designed by Lai himself. Others are lovingly collected throughout his journeys. Sure, you’ll find many of the commodities you’d find in other Little Tokyo shops: paper cranes, porcelain cats, and the like. But each of Lai’s collectibles is supported by history.
Within Peter Lai’s Asian Village, you’ll also find a tea and sake garden and a Kabuki theater with photos of him performing kabuki dance at illustrious venues including the Hollywood Bowl. We can’t underscore it enough; Lai’s sanctuary is just different than the traditional Little Tokyo Shops. But the great respect for tradition is also clearly apparent.
Currently, Peter Lai’s Asia Village offers four tiers of experiences:
- 60-minute access without tour – $20/guest
- 60-minute guided tour – $30/guest
- 90-minute guided tour (including beverages) – $40/guest
- 120-minute guided tour (including beverages and snacks) – $50/guest
Something Truly Unique
If you’re looking for a quick gift for a friend or a housewarming present, some of the more classic Little Tokyo shops should be able to accommodate you swimmingly. But if you’re looking for something truly unique, Peter Lai’s Asian Village is your best option. Even if you leave empty-handed, simply spending an hour touring such grandeur is worth the price of admission. Los Angeles is a beacon for people who think differently and want something a bit more exclusive out of life. Lai seems to understand that better than most.
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