Reimagining Fashion: 12 Chinese Designers to Celebrate the Year of Serpent
The Year of the Serpent brings a unique opportunity to celebrate the bold spirit and innovative creativity of Chinese designers who are reshaping the global fashion landscape. These designers are not only redefining aesthetics but also embracing culture, history, and modernity to create pieces that challenge conventional boundaries. With a focus on individual expression, sustainability, and craftsmanship, these emerging talents blend Eastern and Western influences, offering fresh perspectives on fashion.
From New York to Shanghai, the designers featured in this article represent a diverse range of approaches that are making waves both locally and internationally. With collections that speak to the intersection of modern femininity, cutting-edge tailoring, and cultural storytelling, these 12 Chinese designers are setting the stage for a fashion revolution. Their work is a celebration of art, innovation, and the rich tapestry of global influences that define the new era of fashion.
1. CHEN PENG
Designer: Peng Chen
Location: London
Established: 2015
Instagram: @chenpengstudio
Website: www.chen-peng.com
Chen Peng is a contemporary fashion designer known for his bold, “one-size-fashion” innovative designs that blend inclusive fashion with streetwear influences for every shape, age, and gender.
After graduating from the prestigious London College of Fashion, he gained recognition for his distinctive, oversized silhouettes and experimental use of materials. Focusing on accentuating personal features, his futuristic designs often incorporate elements of comfort, functionality, and avant-garde creativity
2. AO YES
Designer: Austin Wang and Yansong Liu
Location: Shanghai
Established: 2022
Instagram: @aoyes_
Website: www.ao-yes.com.cn
Under a concept of modern Oriental culture, AO YES is renowned for its modern minimalist approach to design, combining traditional Chinese elements with contemporary aesthetics. Collections often feature clean lines, playful elements, and an emphasis on craftsmanship.
AO YES's work showcases a blend of luxury and youthful energy, with a focus on creating wearable, versatile pieces that speak to both local and global sensibilities. Their designs reflect a deep understanding of cultural heritage, while pushing boundaries with innovative cuts, materials, and techniques.
3. DIDU
Designer: Zhang Didu
Location: Paris and Shanghai
Established: 2019
Instagram: @didu_official
Website: www.didu-official.com
DIDU is a designer known for her innovative shapes, cuts and feminine futurism approach to fashion. Founded by designer Zhang Didu, the brand merges traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern, experimental design elements.
DIDU's collections are characterized by sensuality, female silhouette, innovative use of textiles, and a focus on sustainability.
4. Lii
Designer: Zane Li
Location: New York
Established: 2023
Instagram: @l__i_i
Website: www.lii-studio.com
Zane Li is known for his work with the Lii brand, where he brings a modern, minimalist approach to design. His work emphasizes defined silhouette, voluminous forms, sculptural shapes, and a thoughtful balance between aesthetics and practicality. His designs reflect a deep respect for both form and function, making them ideal for forward-thinking, design-conscious, and art-oriented consumers.
5. Mark Gong
Designer: Mark Gong
Location: New York and Shanghai
Established: 2018
Instagram: @markgong_official
Website: www.markgongstudio.com
Under the “Gone Girl” concept, for women who are full of curiosity and a sense of exploration,
Mark Gong’s cutting-edge feminine designs seamlessly blend Eastern influences with an American style. The brand embraces experimental silhouettes, intricate tailoring, and a unique use of textures and fabrics. Free spirited and rebellious, Mark Gong's collections often explore themes of identity, freedom, and modernity.
6. Nφ Dress
Designer: LuQi Yu
Location: Guangzhou
Established: 2014
Instagram: @nodress_online
Website: nodress-online.myshopify.com
Filled with 90s nostalgic creations, the Nφdress designer LuQi Yu draws her inspiration from 1990s Chinese and Japanese street fashion images. Think of corset, mini-dress, bow, and lace, the brand blends nostalgia fashion with a contemporary approach, creating a ‘cool girl gang’ aesthetic, wearable pieces that reflect modern and youthful sensibilities you might miss in your wardrobe.
7. RUIbuilt
Designer: Rui Zhou
Location: New York and Shanghai
Established: 2019
Instagram: @ruiofficial.me
Website: www.ruiofficial.me
Delicate and poetic, Ruibuilt is recognized for her innovative approach to modern knitwear as a second skin to your body, blending urban street style with intricate tailoring. The design focuses on the theme of ‘in-between’ exploring the relationship between skin and fabric with a unique sense of individuality. Emphasizing on both comfort and style. Ruibuilt’s designs offer a gritty, raw, but gentle sense of self.
8. Staff Only
Designer: Shimo Zhou & Une Yea
Location: Shanghai
Established: 2015
Instagram: @staffonlystudio
Website: www.staffonlystudio.com
Staff Only is celebrated for its unisex, gender-neutral collections that focus on individuality and self-expression. With a strong emphasis on humour and wit, the brand combines urban culture with artistic elements, making it a standout in China’s evolving fashion scene. It continues to gain recognition both locally and internationally, appealing to young, fashion-forward consumers seeking unique and unapologetic designs.
9. SHUSHU/TONG
Designer: Liushu Lei and Yutong Jiang
Location: Shanghai
Established: 2015
Instagram: @shushu__tong
Website: www.shushutongstudio.com
SHUSHU/TONG is known for its bold, girl-at-heart elegant designs that blend modern sophistication with a touch of romanticism. Founded by designers Liushu Lei and Yutong Jiang, SHUSHU/TONG's collections often feature delicate fabrics, feminine elements, and carefully constructed shapes, reflecting a balance of playful energy and refined beauty.
With its focus on creating distinctive, high-quality fashion, the brand appeals to those who appreciate both artistic expression and wearable luxury.
10. Uma Wang
Designer: Uma Wang
Location: Shanghai
Established: 2009
Instagram: @umawangofficial
Website: www.umawang.com
Uma Wang is a distinguished fashion brand known for her sophisticated designs that fuse contemporary artistry with traditional craftsmanship. Founded by designer Uma Wang, the brand is celebrated for its sculptural silhouettes, rich textures, artistic prints, and innovative use of materials. Drawing inspiration from global cultures and art, Uma Wang's collections often feature a mix of oversized shapes, asymmetric cuts, and intricate detailing, creating a bold and expressive style.
11. Yayi
Designer: Yayi Chen Zhou
Location: New York, Shanghai, and Madrid
Established: 2022
Instagram: @yayi__official
Website: www.yayi.studio
Ya Yi is founded by designer Yayi Chen Zhou, known for its multicultural and luxury designs that blend elegance with minimalism. The brand focuses on creating timeless, high-quality pieces with a strong emphasis on clean lines, understated luxury, and innovative fabric treatments. Ya Yi’s poetic collections often explore themes of fluidity, structure, and modern femininity, offering versatile and wearable clothing that reflects both refinement and practicality.
12. Yuhan Wang
Designer: Yuhan Wang
Location: London
Established: 2018
Instagram: @yuhanwangyuhan
Website: www.yuhanwang.co.uk
The first runner-up of the L’Oreal Young Talent Award in 2016, Yuhan Wang has built a reputation for her innovative and highly detailed approach to new-age romantic fashion. Rebellious but soft, the brand merges feminine strength and understated beauty with collections that feature lace, floral prints, fluid silhouettes, and intricate textile techniques.
Yuhan Wang’s designs often explore themes of femininity, individuality, and emotional expression, blending Eastern and Western influences in her unique signature style.
As we celebrate the Year of the Serpent, these 12 designers remind us that fashion is more than just clothing—it's a powerful expression of culture, identity, and vision. Their innovative designs are pushing the boundaries of creativity, blending heritage with future-forward thinking. These designers are not only creating the future of fashion, but they are also shaping how we see ourselves in the world.