China Royal

s as well as scarves and shoulder bags. (Los Angeles, California - February 20, 2013) This week Shikiri Hightower-Gaskin will unveil China Royal's Fall 2013 men's collection at Magic's Project Mens/Wear Booth #858 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Hightower-Gaskin, formerly married to NFL Pro Bowler Keyshawn Johnson, is targeting both brand loyal and style conscious consumers with her stunning new collection, melding the urban chic of Kimora Lee Simmons’ Baby Phat with the stated elegance of Tory Burch, creating a vibrant cultural niche all its own. Alumnus of UC Berkeley’s prestigious Graduate School of Journalism and a former student of New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, Hightower-Gaskin's line developed out of a desire to mesh her high-end boutique background with garments priced to appeal to the more budget conscious, yet fashion savvy consumer. China Royal has found a way to create affordable, chic clothing while remaining authentic to Hightower-Gaskin's own sense of discriminating style. One of the more dominant themes is the trademark crest featuring Chinese logograms and broken text printed on soft cotton blend crew neck and v-neck shirts in an array of muted hues. It takes an immense amount of style to make a splash in the fashion world. The ability to strike a delicate balance between catering to trends while being ahead enough of the curve to create them isn’t easy. This kind of attention to detail and preemptive strike is indicative of someone keen enough to distinguish fair weather fads from statements with staying power. With her finger on the pulse of what’s hot, Shikiri Hightower-Gaskin is one such individual. Privileged with guidance from Old Navy co-founder and former president Jenny Ming, who appeared multiple times on Fortune Magazine's list of the "50 Most Powerful Women in American Business," Hightower-Gaskin’s new, ready-to-wear line is set to be the hottest label in boutiques and retail racks from coast to coast. The line's appellation was inspired while partying at the annual Juve festival in Jamaica, where the designer of African-American and Chinese descent was told by an older gentleman that to be a mixture of black and Chinese was "China Royal.” Unlike many designers, Hightower-Gaskin and her China Royal line chooses to bear the made in China tag with pride. “Many clothing lines are made in China, but the fashion industry tries to hide it, like it’s some kind of taboo. I, as someone of Chinese heritage, have a strong sense of pride in my culture. So I looked at that as kind of a slap in the face.”

Hightower-Gaskin has a long history in the fashion spotlight from her upscale west coast boutiques Shikiri on Robertson Blvd. in Santa Monica, both of whose clientele lists read like who’s who in Hollywood: Naomi Campbell, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kidada Jones, Bijou Phillips, Shaun Robinson, Paulette Washington, Britney Spears, Jennifer Aniston, and Tara Reid. Hightower-Gaskin has also received glowing reviews in publications ranging from L.A. Confidential to Essence Magazine. With Ming’s mentorship, Hightower-Gaskin’s sense of style and business acumen, China Royal is poised to be one of the top lines of 2013. Hightower-Gaskin is as ambitious as she is sincere about her intentions for China Royal:

“China Royal represents elements of the things that I find sacred. Being socially aware, embracing culture, being fly, being a mother, being a wife, embracing being black and Chinese. And doing it all beautifully and effortlessly. You’ll see all of that represented in the clothing line and I hope to inspire that same sentiment in everyone who wears the brand. Everyone should be able to love who they are, access nice clothing, and feel regal. China Royal is attainable royalty.”






About Shikiri Hightower-Gaskin:



Of Chinese and African-American descent, the Berkley, California native grew up amidst a diverse family dynamic. Her mother immersed Shikiri in Chinese heritage, while her father was a member of the Black Panther Party, so she was able to experience "the pro-black love mixed with the Asian revolutionary spirit.” But as a young girl watching her aunt work in fashion, she realized early on that she’d found her calling.

“I have the most stylish aunt. One day, she took me to work with her and the idea that you could make money by selling clothing was the most fascinating thing to me.”

Hightower-Gaskin received a BA from the University of Southern California as a journalism major. While there, she met and married Keyshawn Johnson, who would later become the first pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. She later earned a Master’s degree from UC Berkeley’s prestigious Graduate School of Journalism. In 2001, Hightower-Gaskin opened the doors to Shikiri in one of Los Angeles’ hippest shopping districts on Robertson Boulevard. A stone’s throw from luxury brand fashion houses like Chanel and Fendi, Shikiri’s racks drew a wide array of celebrity clientele. Essence Magazine called Shikiri a “must-stop for the Hollywood set” and an "ultrachic unique shopping experience.” Shikiri was also one of the first boutiques in the United States to carry English rising star designer Matthew Williamson’s line. In 2005, Hightower-Gaskin launched Golden Butterfly in Santa Monica. A breathtakingly ornate boutique located on Montana Avenue, Golden Butterfly specialized in high-end shoes and accessories. Shikiri lives with her husband Bela and their four children in Oakland, California.

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