We’re back with a new guest tastemaker for some quick-fire questions and a mini-curation of some fab Chairish finds!
This week we are joined by the founder of the luxury plus-size womenswear brand Henning, Lauren Chan. A plus-sized model and former fashion editor for Glamour and Vogue Italia, Lauren founded Henning with the hopes of creating quality and expertly fitted basics, workwear and loungewear for women sizes 12 and up. She’s all about including plus-sized women in the design process and crafting looks that will make her clientele feel like they can own the room. And her bold and sophisticated style of dress translates to the way she decorates her Brooklyn apartment.
Read on to discover her favorite of many past Chairish scores, and what advice she has for those looking for style inspiration during quarantine.
What is the coolest vintage piece in your house? What makes it the coolest?
My ceramic, life-size Great Dane sculpture from a gallery in Miami via Chairish. It’s my favorite because it’s vintage and hand-made, plus its uniqueness and size make it a real statement piece!
Who is your ultimate style icon and why?
I don’t have a singular icon, but I am always inspired by womxn in menswear. I particularly love seeing Rihanna in an oversize suit. But then again, who doesn’t?
What advice do you have for those who are struggling to find a reason to dress up and express themselves stylistically while in quarantine?
Tune into how your clothes make you feel. If you need your spirits lifted, try wearing bright colors. If you need a hug, wrap yourself in your favorite sweats. When you notice the little uptick in your mood, you’ll be more inclined to keep up the effort.
If you could change one aspect about the fashion industry, what would it be?
I would – and am trying to – change fashion’s lack of size inclusion. Just because someone is above a size 12, doesn’t mean they don’t want to have fashionable, high-quality clothing. Moreover, the fashion industry shouldn’t be telling them that they can’t have it by way of exclusion.
What Henning project are you most proud of?
If I had to pick one thing, I’d say that I’m most proud of Henning’s suiting, because it proves that brands can in fact make design-forward, well-fitted, expertly-crafted garments – ethically in the US, to boot! I never want to go back to the time where plus-size women like me were only offered cheap, baggy, outdated fast-fashion.
Header image courtesy of Lauren Chan
