His parents had a business that imported clothes from Asia, and his grandparents ran a successful garment factory in San Francisco that specialized in bridal and wedding dresses.

In 2005, Lam won the runner-up prize in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund competition as well as the CFDA Perry Ellis Swarovski Award for new designers.

In 2006, Lam also signed a three-year worldwide licensing deal with New York-based Modo to manufacture and distribute Derek Lam-branded eyewear.

[4] From 2008 to 2012, the JAB Holding Company's Labelux division held a majority stake in Derek Lam.

[5] In 2009, the brand opened a store designed by the Japanese architecture firm, SANAA, but it eventually closed.

[7] Beginning with the spring 2018 season, Derek Lam introduced beachwear to his collection through a license with Swiss-based Italian manufacturing firm Albisetti.

Regarding the sale, Lam said in an interview, “Dan and his team have a tremendous opportunity to grow the branded business, both geographically and with new product categories.

"[12] In 2006, Diego Della Valle signed Derek Lam up to create a clothing brand for Tod's.