Advertisement
HomeFashion

Chinamaxxxing, But Make It Fashion: Chinese Designer Brands to Shop

Whether you’re deep in your Chinese era or simply fashion-curious, these brands deserve a spot in your wardrobe.

By

From drinking hot water first thing in the morning to buttoning up Tang jackets, people everywhere have been living in their “Chinese time.” Clearly, Chinese traditions and fashion are making waves across the world. While the West may frame it as a trend, for many Asians, it’s simply culture—always a step ahead of its time.

But your style doesn’t have to wait. Even if you’re not fully in your Chinese era, your wardrobe can still reflect its influence. Shop these brands and discover what your wardrobe has been missing.

RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: What Authentic Representation Looks Like in 2026, According to Casting Director Lorenz Namalata

Mark Gong

Lisa in Custom Mark Gong, coat from
Mark Gong Spring-Summer '26
Mark Gong Spring-Summer ’26

Mark Gong channels the free-spirited, rebellious energy of a woman driven by curiosity and self-expression, all while fusing Chinese and American influences. A regular fixture at New York and Shanghai Fashion Week, the brand delivers trend-forward ready-to-wear with attitude. The brand counts BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, Lisa, and Jennie among its fans—often spotted wearing Mark Gong on stage.

Ao Yes

Ao Yes Spring-Summer '26
Ao Yes Spring-Summer ’26
Ao Yes Fall-Winter '25
Ao Yes Fall-Winter ’25

Think traditional Chinese culture but executed with a modern sensibility; a marriage of heritage and high fashion. Co-founders Austin Wang and Yansong Liu brought Ao Yes to life, merging meticulous details and thoughtful fabric choices to create pieces that deserve a second look.

Uma Wang

Uma Wang Spring-Summer '26
Uma Wang Spring-Summer ’26
Uma Wang Fall-Winter '25
Uma Wang Fall-Winter ’25

Uma Wang was the first Chinese designer featured in the European fashion calendar in 2009. The brand’s appeal lies in its rugged elegance, balancing restraint and sensuality. Her ready-to-wear collections feature neutrals with raw edges, layered textures, and a sense of quiet depth.

LII

LII Spring-Summer '26
LII Spring-Summer ’26
greta Lee in LII
greta Lee in LII

Founded by Zane Li, LII blends minimalist design with playful proportions, often merging sport and couture. Its elevated basics with eclectic touches reflect the brand’s vision: freedom, individuality, and style that doesn’t compromise personality.

SHUSHU/TONG

SHUSHU/TONG Spring-Summer '26
SHUSHU/TONG Spring-Summer ’26
Jisoo in Shushu Tong
Jisoo in Shushu/Tong

Shanghai-based label SHUSHU/TONG dresses the modern woman who embraces unapologetic femininity—balanced with an effortless, cool-girl edge. Founded by Gen Z design duo Liushu Lei and Yutong Jiang, the brand is bold, playful, and constantly blurring the line between girlhood and womanhood, redefining what contemporary femininity looks like.

While Chinese culture may be framed as a “trend,” these fashion brands prove that heritage and modernity can coexist—especially in your closet. Consider this your sign to look east for pieces that feel thoughtful, intentional, and deeply personal.


Featured Image and Photos: MARK GONG, AO YES, UMA WANG, LII, SHUSHU/TONG (via Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions

Contemporary Chinese fashion design blends traditional heritage with modern, global sensibilities, focusing on intricate craftsmanship, structural silhouettes, and cultural storytelling adapted for everyday wear.

Prominent labels like Mark Gong and SHUSHU/TONG are frequently worn by global fashion icons, including BLACKPINK members Jisoo, Jennie, and Lisa, during major stage performances.

Uma Wang became the first Chinese designer featured on the European fashion calendar in 2009, gaining international acclaim for her rugged elegance and textured textiles.

Shanghai-based label SHUSHU/TONG focuses on redefining contemporary femininity by balancing bold, unapologetic girlhood aesthetics with an effortless, modern cool-girl edge for the progressive woman.

Global interest in Chinese fashion grows as designers successfully showcase authentic heritage through high-fashion garments that prioritize individuality, innovative tailoring, and premium material choices.

Moira Del Rosario

Moira Del Rosario

Digital Content Writer

Once immersed in fictional writing at UP Diliman, Moira del Rosario eventually traded imagined worlds for the fast-paced landscape of digital media as a Digital Content Writer for MEGA Asia, covering women’s stories across the region alongside the latest in beauty.

They spotlight women shaping culture today through profiles, exclusive features, and roundups on Asian representation at global fashion events. They also write about beauty through a growing lens—covering makeup, skincare, wellness, nails, and fragrance with curiosity and a strong eye for emerging trends.

Having worked in digital media for years, Moira is drawn to stories that beg to be unraveled—from the ever-changing landscape of pop culture and the inner workings of beauty to queer voices that deserve to be seen, celebrated, and championed.

Recommended Video

Tap to Unmute
Unmute
0:00
0:00 / 0:00
0:00

To provide a customized ad experience, we need to know if you are of legal age in your region.

By making a selection, you agree to our Terms & Conditions.