The transition from academic rigor to the professional arena often presents a complex tapestry of emotions, a sentiment keenly felt by Maggie Fan as she graduated from the prestigious Parsons School of Design in 2024. While the conventional path suggested immediate immersion in established fashion houses through internships and freelance work, Fan harbored a distinct aspiration: entrepreneurial independence. In a job market characterized by intense competition and a deluge of applications, she envisioned a future where her creativity could flourish on her own terms. This pivotal decision to invest in herself over immediate stability marked the genesis of a transformative journey, leading her to her current role as a full-time designer at the burgeoning New York City-based fashion label, Tang Chi Couture. The brand, celebrated for its avant-garde reimagining of classic silhouettes punctuated by striking details, has already carved a niche for itself within the editorial fashion landscape. In a recent conversation with EnVi, Fan offered an in-depth look into the trials and triumphs that have shaped her career trajectory.
From the Heart of Taiwan to the Pulse of New York City
Fan’s earliest encounters with the world of fashion were deeply rooted in her upbringing in Taiwan. Rather than being influenced by distant celebrities, her formative years were shaped by the sartorial passions of her mother and elder sister. She vividly recalls her mother’s meticulously curated walk-in closet, a testament to a profound appreciation for each garment. "Before ‘Get Ready With Me’ videos became a trend," Fan explained, "she truly embodied that spirit of inspirational dressing for events."
This familial influence extended to her sister, who embarked on a career in fashion, engaging in photoshoot styling and amassing a collection of archival fashion books. "I always snuck into her room and just looked at those beautiful images," Fan admitted, her childhood curiosity a precursor to her future endeavors.
Having resided in New York City for over six years, Fan has embraced the city’s dynamic energy. She articulated the enduring allure of the metropolis, stating, "You might get sick of New York City, but you would never get bored in New York City." This vibrant environment has become the fertile ground for Tang Chi Couture, yet Fan remains deeply connected to her Taiwanese heritage. Elements of Taiwan’s natural landscapes often find their way into her designs, influencing not only the aesthetics but also her creative process. "We live at a much slower pace than New York, so it really affected me to have me slow down in my design process," she shared. This deliberate pacing allows for a more profound exploration of ideas, blending the organic rhythms of her upbringing with her innovative design vision, creating a world that is both intimately personal and imaginatively expansive.
The Intricate Process Behind Tang Chi Couture
In an era where digital media dominates, Fan holds a steadfast appreciation for the tangible influence of print magazines and coffee table books. Her research process for each collection eschews passive scrolling, favoring instead a more active form of collection and curation. "When you design a fashion collection, you shouldn’t only look at the inspiration involved in fashion," she advised. "You need to look more outside of the world, like all of the art pieces in exhibitions." This philosophy underscores her commitment to a holistic approach to design, drawing inspiration from a broad spectrum of artistic disciplines.
For her Spring/Summer 2026 collection, Fan emphasized the importance of grounding conceptual ideas in tangible, real-world observations. This initial phase is then followed by a period of unrestrained experimentation, moving fluidly between sketching and draping. "You design while you create something in the process, and then I lend it to the things that I like," she explained. This iterative approach allows for organic development, where intuition and material exploration guide the creative flow.
The narrative of each Tang Chi Couture piece is meticulously crafted, beginning with the creation of detailed mood boards. Every design decision is a thoughtful consideration, driven by introspective questions such as, "Is this the color that I want for this collection? Should there be a pop of color in there? Is it too dark or too light?" This rigorous attention to detail ensures the cohesive aesthetic of each collection from its inception to its final realization.
Beyond the solitary pursuit of design, Fan finds profound fulfillment in the collaborative spirit that surrounds her brand. "I enjoy seeing all those creatives out there, like the stylists or artists, how they sort of restyle my garments and give new life into the clothing that I created," she remarked. The diverse perspectives and interpretations offered by other artists enrich her work, providing "a different aspect and perspective that I could give into my own clothing, so it’s definitely interesting to see that." This sense of community is a cornerstone of her brand’s identity, fostering a dynamic exchange of creative energy.
Like many creatives navigating the fashion industry, Fan’s career has not been without its challenges. However, she approaches these inevitable ups and downs with a steadfast reliance on her intuition, choosing conviction over apprehension.
Stepping Stones to Recognition
The aspiration to present collections at Fashion Week is a common dream among designers, a platform to showcase their creations to industry leaders. For Maggie Fan, this ambition materialized last year at Flair Fashion’s runway showcase in London. This significant opportunity, however, was accompanied by considerable apprehension. "I was a little doubtful whether I should launch this couture brand," she confessed. "They reached out to me a few times when I was in college, but I never felt like I was ready for that kind of commitment." Ultimately, Fan recognized that Tang Chi Couture was not a deferred dream, but a destiny unfolding precisely as it was meant to.
A year after her graduation from Parsons, Fan took a decisive step outside her comfort zone by embracing the challenge of an international runway presentation. "It was definitely a big challenge because it’s the first runway that introduced my couture brand, and it was overseas in London," Fan reminisced. "So it had so many challenges, but I guess I’m the person who really likes to walk out of my comfort zone and take these kinds of challenges to push myself." The London debut featured her SS26 collection, titled "Silent Marks," and served as a poignant full-circle moment. Fan had previously studied abroad at Central Saint Martins in London during her college years and expressed a deep affection for the city. "I really miss London, I love London. The vintage markets that I used to go to, like all those memories sort of came back," she joyfully recalled. This return to a city that held significant personal memories provided a powerful backdrop for the launch of her couture brand onto the global stage.
Following her established presence in the industry, Tang Chi Couture was poised for broader international exposure.
Finding Muses and Defining Aesthetics
Less than three months after her London debut, Tang Chi Couture expanded its reach to Los Angeles through a strategic showroom partnership with L.E.R. Public Relations. This expansion soon led to a significant breakthrough when one of Fan’s designs caught the attention of celebrity stylist Enrique Melendez.
The actress Leah Sava Jeffries, a prominent figure in contemporary television, captivated audiences at the season two premiere of Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians in December 2025, wearing a striking look from Tang Chi Couture’s SS26 collection, "Tick-Tock." This unexpected placement resulted in a viral red carpet moment, bringing considerable attention to the emerging brand. "The accessories were initially inspired by the hour hands on the clock, so I think he sort of related that to the siren and anchor vibes in the show," Fan shared, highlighting the thoughtful connection made by the stylist.
Melendez’s styling choices also introduced a nuanced modification to the original design that particularly resonated with Fan. "He switched the back of the necklace to the front so the long part kind of resonates with the anchor of the show, and that’s really interesting," she noted, appreciating the creative interpretation that amplified the thematic elements of the television series.
While Jeffries has become a significant ambassador for Tang Chi Couture, the brand’s inspirations extend to other influential figures. Long before her immersion in fashion, Fan was an ardent fan of the musical artist Lady Gaga, a member of the "Little Monsters" community. "I grew up listening to her music in elementary school, like me and my dad would play her music in our cars, so I really love her," Fan shared. She expressed admiration for Gaga’s fearless evolution of style over the years, celebrating her willingness to stand out. Actress Anya Taylor-Joy also emerged as an inspiration, with Fan describing her "dark but elegant aesthetic" as perfectly embodying the spirit of Tang Chi Couture.
Charting a Course for the Future
Looking ahead, Tang Chi Couture is set to further define its identity through a narrative-driven approach, seamlessly blending dark romance with refined elegance. As Fan continues to cultivate the brand behind the scenes, this next chapter promises to be one of significant growth and artistic exploration.
Fan articulated ambitious plans for the immediate future: "I am planning to do a collection this year. My goal for this year is to really create a new collection and then to participate in New York Fashion Week to have my own show." This forward-looking strategy signifies a deliberate evolution from her initial, more observational approach. "For the first collection, I kind of held back because I wanted to observe what feedback the industry would give me," she explained. "But for now, I think I’m ready to push further and challenge myself to do more experimental work." This readiness to embrace bolder creative risks indicates a maturation of both her artistic vision and her confidence in the brand’s trajectory.
Tang Chi Couture aims to expand its creative horizons through diverse collaborations and artistic ventures. "I definitely want to reach out to more stylists to have different creative collaborations. I want to participate more in the art and creative side, like maybe to do more films," Fan stated. She also expressed a desire to leverage New York City as a backdrop for more of her own editorial photoshoots, utilizing the urban landscape to further enhance the brand’s visual storytelling.
Fan’s philosophy for maintaining professional longevity is rooted in a commitment to ethical conduct and self-awareness. "Have a kind mindset and don’t be too easily influenced by other people’s opinions," she advised. "It’s really, really important, or else you’ll get too many unhealthy breakdowns throughout this journey. But yeah, just try to stay true to yourself." This emphasis on inner resilience and authenticity serves as a guiding principle for navigating the demanding fashion industry.
When faced with stress, Fan finds solace in the tranquil environments of dog parks, a pastime that allows her to decompress and reconnect with nature. "I think, and especially New York, is such a great place for a lot of amazing parks, so that’s my favorite place to be in," she noted. Even in these moments of respite, Fan’s creative mind remains active, subconsciously absorbing the subtle details of her surroundings, which may one day inform future collections. New York City has served as Fan’s academic crucible, but Tang Chi Couture is now embarking on a journey to redefine its place in the global fashion narrative.