Meet The Designer: Chenchen of CHENCHEN STUDIO

Tell us a little about yourself and how your brand started.

I’m Chenchen, the founder and designer of Chenchen Studio, an independent fashion brand based in London. I studied Fashion Pattern Cutting at London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, where I developed a strong interest in the relationship between pattern construction, silhouette and the way a garment can transform.

The story of Chenchen Studio began in 2018, when I was still studying. After completing my second year, I joined an internship programme at a small fashion brand, where I worked on pattern cutting and also helped run the shop downstairs. That experience made me realise that I wanted to create something of my own.

I started making my first collection in my living room and organised my first pop up at Brick Lane Gallery in East London, alongside eight other designers. By the end of the event, every piece I had made had sold, and I had received additional orders. It was a very encouraging moment that gave me the confidence to continue.

In the beginning, every piece was unique and handmade by me and my technician. We produced one size at a time, making other sizes to order. Since then, the brand has grown steadily. After completing my MA in 2023, I began working on Chenchen Studio full time. In 2025, we were awarded a two year rent free studio at Poplar Works through London College of Fashion. Today, our collections are stocked by selected concept stores in London and beyond.

What made you want to create your own label?

I have always been fascinated by how much a pattern can change the way a garment looks and feels. During my studies, I became particularly interested in exploring unconventional pattern structures and finding ways to make clothing more versatile through thoughtful construction.

I was also influenced by designers such as Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood, whose work showed me that fashion can be much more than simply making clothes. It can communicate ideas, challenge expectations and express individuality.

After my internship, I found myself asking, “Why can’t I create my own brand?” I wanted the freedom to explore my own ideas, experiment with patterns and create garments that felt distinctive to me.

That was how Chenchen Studio began. My aim has always been to create pieces that combine creative construction with everyday wearability, garments that have something unexpected to discover, but can still be worn and loved for years.

How would you describe your style or aesthetic in three words?

Structured, Playful, Thoughtful.

Structure is at the heart of my work. I love experimenting with pattern cutting to create distinctive silhouettes and unexpected proportions.

Playfulness comes through in our changeable details. A collar, cuff or other element might be worn in different ways, allowing the same garment to create different looks for different occasions.

Thoughtfulness reflects the care that goes into every detail. We design our own buttons and pay close attention to construction, fabric and finishing. I want each piece to feel special without losing its simplicity or wearability.

Where do you usually find inspiration?

Inspiration can come from almost anywhere. Sometimes it comes from a particular moment or view, and sometimes it begins with the feel of a fabric in my hands.

Our first Wave collection, for example, was inspired by the view from my window. I could see the river with the silhouettes of Canary Wharf’s busy buildings in the background. At sunset, everything turned golden. I remember wishing I could somehow preserve that moment. The collection became my way of translating that feeling into fabric, movement and silhouette.

Other times, the material itself gives me an idea. When I touch a particular fabric, I begin imagining what it could become. For example, the lightness and airiness of organza inspired me to create structured, three layered cuffs. I enjoy exploring the contrast between a delicate material and a more defined shape.

For me, inspiration is about paying attention to the world around me and discovering how a feeling, a texture or a fleeting moment can be translated into something tangible.

Is there one piece or collection that’s especially meaningful to you? What’s the story behind it?

Vol. 3 Eternal Bloom is particularly meaningful to me. It was my first fully developed collection, and it became one of the most successful collections in the early days of the brand. Some of its pieces have remained bestsellers since my very first pop up at Brick Lane Gallery.

It was an important turning point because it helped me understand that people connected with my approach to design. The collection was not only about creating something visually distinctive, but also about making pieces that people genuinely wanted to wear and keep.

The name Eternal Bloom also reflects something I believe in as a designer: that beauty should not be limited to a particular season or moment. I want my garments to retain their relevance and meaning over time, allowing people to build their own stories around them.

How are your pieces made, and what matters most to you when choosing materials and production?

Every Chenchen Studio design begins in our London studio, where I develop the concept and work on the pattern cutting. Pattern construction is the DNA of the brand, so keeping this process close to me is essential. It allows me to experiment, refine the fit and make sure that every detail has a purpose.

When I first started, everything was made by hand by me and my technician. As the brand grew, I wanted to find a production partner who could meet my expectations for quality while understanding the needs of a small independent label.

We now have a dedicated small production space within a larger garment manufacturing facility in Shanghai. In the beginning, it was difficult to find a manufacturer willing to take on small orders with such detailed quality requirements. By having our own space and a close working relationship with the wider facility, we can maintain greater control over production while accessing specialist machinery when needed. During quieter periods, we also take on production work for other small brands, supporting designers who may be facing the same challenges I once did.

We also create limited edition pieces using deadstock fabrics in London. As these materials are available in very small quantities, some designs may have only three to five pieces. These are often available exclusively through our showroom and selected London concept stores.

When choosing materials, I look for interesting textures, quality and durability. Fabric often inspires the design itself, so I am interested in how a material moves, holds its shape and feels against the skin. I am also encouraged to see more suppliers taking sustainability seriously, whether through natural fibres or recycled man made materials.

Ultimately, I want to make clothes that are thoughtfully constructed, comfortable to wear and made to last. For me, quality is not just about how a garment looks when it is new, but how well it continues to serve its wearer over time.

How do you want people to feel when they wear your pieces?

I want people to feel happy, confident and a little surprised when they wear Chenchen Studio.

There is a sense of discovery built into many of our designs. I love showing someone a changeable detail and seeing their reaction when they realise that a garment can be worn in a different way. It is even more rewarding when they share that discovery with their friends.

I also want people to feel that the clothes express something about who they are. Our designs often begin with a simple black and white palette, but the construction, proportions and small details give each piece its own character.

For me, clothing should not simply follow trends or tell people how to dress. It should give them the freedom to express their individuality, feel comfortable in themselves and create their own stories with what they wear.

What are you excited about right now, and what’s coming next?

We recently launched our new collection during London Fashion Week in September 2026, and one of the things I am most excited about is introducing knitwear to Chenchen Studio for the first time.

It was a new challenge to explore how our approach to creative pattern cutting could translate into knitwear. I wanted to retain the distinctive construction and silhouettes that define the brand while discovering what knitted structures could offer in terms of texture, movement and form. I am really looking forward to seeing how people respond to this new direction.

I am also excited that we have been able to explore a waterless dyeing technique for our knitwear yarn. Sustainability is an ongoing journey, and I believe it is important to keep looking for ways to make more considered choices throughout the design and production process.

Looking ahead, I want to continue developing the brand while staying true to what makes it distinctive: thoughtful pattern cutting, playful details and enduring design. Rather than creating clothes that are relevant for only one season, I hope to make pieces that people return to, cherish and perhaps even pass on to the next generation. For me, that is one of the most meaningful ways fashion can create lasting value.