I have a rule for my capsule wardrobe: if a piece needs explaining, I’m not keeping it. No logos screaming across the chest, no trends that look like they’ll be outdated by next spring. Just clean lines, good fit, and the kind of quiet confidence that makes people lean in instead of leaning back.
That’s exactly the philosophy behind Los Angeles-based designer Vivian Chan, whose namesake label VIVIANCHAN has become a go-to for women who want understated elegance with just a little edge. The celebrity roster is impressive — Michelle Yeoh, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, and Kendall Jenner have all worn her pieces — but what I find most compelling isn’t the name recognition. It’s the reasoning behind every cut, every seam, every detail.
The Story Behind the Label
Chan’s path to fashion wasn’t some overnight breakthrough. Born in Taiwan to a Taiwanese mother and Hong Kong-born father, she moved to Los Angeles with her family at age six. Her earliest memories are of watching her mother run a clothing boutique, and from those early years she picked up a lesson I think every woman who’s ever stood in front of a full closet should internalize: the right outfit doesn’t just change how you look — it changes how you feel.
That foundation eventually became her own label, launched in 2013. Femininity and individuality sit at the center of every collection she releases, which is a refreshingly specific commitment in an industry that often swings between extremes.
What Makes Her Aesthetic Work
When I asked myself what separates a designer’s work from a fast-fashion knockoff, it’s never the price tag. It’s the intention. Chan puts it more elegantly than I ever could:
“My design aesthetic is modern and minimal, with a focus on strong silhouettes, clean lines, and thoughtful details. I’m drawn to the balance between structure and softness, creating pieces that feel distinctive without being overdone.”
She pays close attention to proportion, fit, and construction — because even the smallest adjustments can completely change how a garment looks and feels. That’s the part that resonates with me most. It’s why I’ll pay more for a blouse that drapes correctly than a cheaper one that fights my body all day. The cost-per-wear math makes sense when the piece actually works for you instead of against you.
“I want my designs to make an impact while allowing the woman wearing them to remain the focus,” she told me. Exactly.
The Bomb Fashion Show: Four Looks, One Language
Chan is bringing her minimalist-meets-modern aesthetic to The Bomb Fashion Show LA on October 14. The show presented a special challenge: she was tasked with interpreting a luxury vehicle — the Cadillac OPTIQ — through her own creative lens, and the result is a collection of four looks inspired by the car in Monarch Orange.
“Fashion and automotive design share many of the same principles, from proportion and form to materials and function,” she explained. “What drew me to the Cadillac OPTIQ was its combination of sculptural lines, modern design, and bold color. I wanted to take those elements and interpret them through my own design perspective, creating something that feels connected to the vehicle while remaining true to my aesthetic.”
Rather than going full literal, she used variations in color and fabric to bring depth and dimension to the collection. Each look has its own identity while contributing to the whole. That’s a lesson I try to apply to my own outfits: a capsule wardrobe isn’t about matching everything — it’s about pieces that feel distinct on their own but work together without friction.
What ‘Luxury’ Actually Means
Here’s where Chan’s thinking really clicks for me. When I think about the word ‘luxury,’ I usually picture price tags and logos. Chan redefines it entirely:
“To me, luxury is about intention. It’s the thought and care behind every decision, from the selection of materials to the way something is constructed and finished. I believe true luxury is often found in the details that aren’t immediately noticeable. The way something fits, feels, and moves can make all the difference. It’s about creating a piece that feels just as special in its function as it does in its presentation.”
That’s the whole quiet luxury movement, distilled into one sentence. It’s why a well-made pair of trousers from a mid-range brand can feel more luxurious than a fast-fashion piece with a bigger label. The luxury is in the fit, the fabric, the way it moves when you walk. Not the price on the ticket.
The Takeaway
What I love about Chan’s work isn’t that it’s expensive or exclusive. It’s that it proves you don’t need to shout to be seen. A clean silhouette, a considered fit, a detail that earns its place — that’s the kind of style that outlasts trends and keeps working for you season after season.
So the next time you’re about to buy something with a logo you don’t even know how to pronounce, ask yourself: would this make someone lean in, or lean back? If the answer’s the latter, keep shopping. The quiet ones are always the ones that stay.
Wear it well — Elise