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Lauren Chan: A Trailblazer in Fashion, Media, and Entrepreneurship

Lauren Chan (born December 29, 1990) from Canada is an authorship, fashion, television and Business beauty.


Lauren Chan was born on December 29, 1990, in Ontario, Canada. She is a model, journalist, entrepreneur, and television personality known for championing size inclusivity in fashion and pushing boundaries in media and business. Starting as a plus-size model, she later made waves as a fashion editor at Glamour and eventually founded Henning — a high-end fashion label for plus-size women. Through every phase of her public career, Chan has worked to create space for marginalized voices in an industry that has long excluded them.

Making Moves in Fashion

Lauren Chan began her fashion career as a plus-size model in New York City, working with top agencies and walking runways for inclusive brands. Her early modeling experience shaped her deep understanding of the fashion world’s lack of representation for curvier women. This awareness drove her to not only model but also to write and edit fashion content that called out industry norms.

In 2019, she launched Henning, a luxury fashion line for women sizes 12 and up. Henning focused on creating high-quality, office-appropriate pieces that were both empowering and stylish. The brand earned critical acclaim for bringing modern tailoring to underserved body types. In 2023, Henning was acquired by Universal Standard, validating Chan’s mission and business acumen.

Voice in Journalism and Authorship

Lauren’s role as a fashion features editor at Glamour magazine gave her a powerful platform to challenge traditional beauty standards. Her editorial work focused on diversity, inclusion, and the evolution of body politics in fashion. Though she hasn’t published a full-length book, her contributions as a journalist and thought leader in fashion media position her as a significant voice in fashion authorship.

Through her writing, Chan sparked important discussions about how the fashion industry markets to women — and why inclusion isn't just good ethics, but good business.

Stepping into Television

In 2023, Chan appeared on the second season of The Traitors Canada, a popular reality competition series. While not her first media appearance, this marked her official crossover into television entertainment. Her participation showcased a different side of her — strategic, competitive, and charismatic — and introduced her to a broader audience outside fashion circles.

Entrepreneurial Excellence

Founding Henning was not just a business move, but a statement. Chan turned her firsthand experiences as a model and editor into a product line that directly addressed the needs of plus-size professionals. From pitching investors to designing collections, she navigated the startup world with savvy and sincerity.

Chan also became a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women looking to break into fashion without compromising their values.

Controversial Highlights

Runway vs. Real World Debate

Despite her advocacy, Chan faced criticism for collaborating with mainstream fashion publications and brands accused of performative inclusivity. Some critics argued that she couldn’t fully challenge the system while participating in it — a tension that often plagues reformers from within.

Henning's Price Point Critique

Henning was praised for its style but criticized for its luxury pricing. Some consumers felt that offering inclusive sizing should not come at a high cost, sparking debates about accessibility versus quality in plus-size fashion.

Reality TV Spotlight

Her appearance on The Traitors Canada was met with mixed reactions. While many praised her wit and authenticity, others questioned whether reality TV aligned with her image as a serious fashion entrepreneur and activist.

Conclusion

Lauren Chan is a dynamic force in the public eye, using her voice and vision to reshape fashion, business, and media. Whether she’s walking a runway, writing editorials, launching a brand, or appearing on TV, Chan is committed to breaking barriers and challenging norms. Her journey is one of bold moves, brilliant strategy, and a willingness to engage with controversy to spark change.