Dear @edwardbarsamian, thank you is not enough. We first met @hermes show in Paris in 2019 right before the world came to a pause. Your bright smile, your supportive energy, your chic outfits, are things I clearly and vividly remember when I first approached you and @oliviapalermo. You have taught me from the beginning to always have a clear vision, to always believe in myself, and to always keep pushing forward no matter what. You’ve helped me to creatively bring my collections to life with your beautiful words. Your words are art and that also continues to inspire me everyday. And your support. Your support of emerging designers, such as myself, especially the Asian and Asian American community is truly and really incomparable. You’ve uplifted me in the most incredible of ways whether it was a simple good morning text or our endless hours of editing through collections. It’s hard to believe that it seemed only like yesterday that you were sitting down with me looking through sketches for my first bridal collection, to running around with me during my look book shoots, to now — being at my first @nyfw eveningwear presentation. I’m lucky to have you in my life and be able to call you a friend and supporter. Cheers to many, many more years Edward. 🤍🥂 —AK