DORÉ

Lauren Chan is one of those people who you feel like you’ve known for years, even when you’ve just met her. She’s warm, engaging, funny, and she’s always got something interesting to say.

I actually have known Lauren for years, starting back when she was an editor at Glamour Magazine. As a plus size model, she focused much of her energy at the magazine on content geared towards plus size women. When she left to go freelance, I had a feeling she was going to take her work to the next level.

Turns out I was right. This fall Lauren is launching her brand, Henning, which will make chic, elevated staples for the plus size market. I couldn’t be more excited to see what she has in store.

The clothes aren’t out yet, so to tide us over in the meantime, we met up with Lauren the other day–just as spring was starting to peek out from behind the clouds–to capture her beauty and her cool, approachable personal style.

Describe your style in 3 words or phrases.
Right now my style is minimal, tailored, and practical.

What is your ideal outfit or uniform?
My uniform changes depending on my job. When I was a model, it was jeans and a tee because that’s a go-to casting outfit. When I was a fashion editor, it was tailoring because I needed to look sharp for the office. Now that I run my own fashion brand, it’s somewhere in the middle—a button-down with jeans or dress with a blazer—because I could be in meetings or running around the garment district, but need to look put-together regardless.

Tell us a little bit about Henning. Why did you decide to start your own brand? How does it align with your own personal style and values?
Henning is my forthcoming brand of high-quality, fashion-minded workwear in sizes 12 and up. The first collection is made up of pieces that I wish I had while I was working as a fashion editor: power suits, day-to-night dresses, go-everywhere coats, et cetera. My mission is to prove that women size 12 and up want clothing of a higher caliber—and, moreover, that they deserve it.

What are you excited about right now in fashion and media?
Right now, I’m excited about fashion brands making sustainability appealing: Reformation’s plus-size expansion, Everlane’s new sneakers, For Days’ subscription model—the list goes on.