I-am-Chen spring-summer 2020 presented at New York Fashion Week (photos: Getty Images)
Cover I-am-Chen spring-summer 2020 presented at New York Fashion Week (photos: Getty Images)

We caught up I-am-Chen designer Chen Zhi just before her New York Fashion Week show.

Alibaba’s TMall is the world’s largest third-party online store. This is a fact that not many people outside of Asia know about. However, the past couple of seasons, Tmall has been showcasing emerging Chinese designers at New York Fashion Week. This season, Alibaba’s TMall will launch the Tmall China Cool pop-up exhibition in Soho. We caught up with I-am-Chen designer Chen Zhi just before her show and this is what she has to tell Tatler Asia.

Tatler Asia
Zhi Chen presents her I-am-Chen collection at Gallery II at Spring Studios during New York Fashion Week (Photo by Thomas Concordia/WireImage)
Above Zhi Chen presents her I-am-Chen collection at Gallery II at Spring Studios during New York Fashion Week (Photo by Thomas Concordia/WireImage)

Tatler: Tell us a little about your brand

Chen Zhi: Chen is my name and I started the line when I graduated from London College of Fashion two years ago. We focus on knitwear. I come from an engineering background, my first major was engineering and I believe technology can bring extra creativity in fashion.
 
T: What do people who are not familiar with your brand need to know about you?

CZ: People need to have a young soul to see my collection for what it is and to keep some part of their childishness!
 
T: What is exciting in your world now?

CZ: I am excited about my show! I spent the summer working a lot so I am very excited about my show!

T: Who would you like to see wearing your clothes?

CZ: Tilda Swinton
 
T: What is the most best thing about being the new generation of Asian designers in fashion now?

CZ: I think it's the best time to be an independent designer in China right now. The manufacturing industry is changing and we have the media focus on emerging designers and not just about made in China but rather design and made in China. It's a great time for us—not to mention we have a huge market.