IN CONVERSATION WITH CHRISTINE CHIU

interview by JANA LETONJA

Fashion curator, philanthropist, and businesswoman Christine Chiu has cemented herself as an undeniable fashion authority, known for her impeccable and daring personal style. Outside of the fashion space, Christine continues to be a passionate advocate for championing AAPI voices and projects in mainstream media and culture. She produced and starred in the global smash Netflix hit ‘Bling Empire’ and recently announced her position as a strategy consultant for Asian American On Demand Platform, HAAPI TV. 

You’re making your return to Haute Couture next month after a few seasons away. What inspired the timing of this comeback, and how are you approaching this season differently?

I missed experiencing couture week in person, learning about the stories behind, materials and construction of each collection, seeing the people involved in the craft, eating Parisian food. But as much as I love Haute Couture, family and my business comes first. Since my last season at Paris Haute Couture, Gabriel started school, kindergarten and then first grade. I wanted Gabriel to feel the love and support of mom during his early childhood years, and had adjusted my time and resources accordingly. I volunteer often at his school, never missing a drop off/pick up, and ensure that I am the first face he sees each morning and the last each evening while being tucked in bed. On the business end, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, which I co-founded with my husband, continues to grow and expand, exploring additional locations, hiring top talent, and overseeing a significant increase treatments and procedures offered.

I feel that I have a more relaxed approach this season to Haute Couture. This is partially because 4 main houses/shows I usually attend were in transition and not showing - Dior, Fendi, Valentino and Gaultier. My schedule was instantly reduced. More importantly, because it’s been well over a decade of attending Couture, I am just more ‘chill’ about it all. I know the pace and place. Without a current TV show being in production, and needing to satisfy press objectives etc., I am able to simply show up and truly enjoy my time with each collection and maison.

You’re collaborating with Lorenzo Posocco, known for his bold yet refined aesthetic. What has the creative process been like between you two?

While Lorenzo and I have very similar aesthetics and I admire his eye for curating cool and chic looks, it was a bit challenging with Lorenzo being based in Milan without an assistant in Los Angeles. Fortunately, I have very established relationships with each house and respective fashion teams, so together, we were all able to explore different looks to wear for the shows. There were many WhatsApp group chats with photos and self-guided showroom/boutique visits in LA leading up to Paris. Lorenzo was able to give feedback along the way and is lovely. Amongst the biggest difficulties leading up to this Couture week was creating a look to wear to Schiaparelli show, that is equally as stunning as the couture gown I had ordered which was not completed in time for the show.

What were you most excited to witness on this season’a runways?

This season, I was most excited to see Demna himself and his very last collection for Balenciaga. Demna is among the most genuinely nice designers I have ever met and worked with. I was blessed to experience and purchase  from his very first Haute Couture collection at Balenciaga, and I certainly would not have missed his farewell collection this season. I am also most grateful that the house of Balenciaga very thoughtfully facilitated their relationship with me as both a Couture client and as talent. In fact, Demna and the Balenciaga team had invited me to walk in a previous Couture show, and though I was not able to that season, I will never forget it.

How does it feel returning to Paris as not only a front-row regular but as someone seen as a true fashion curator in your own right?

It feels so amazing returning to Paris, hugging and catching up with friends and teams at each house, as well as meeting a new generation of Couture clients and show attendees. It was so sweet to hear stories of other’s’ “first” Couture pieces or “first” shows. I recall when I first attended Couture in my twenties and there was an Haute Couture ‘old guard’ of ladies. They were chic, powerful, leading the audience with style, and I was just bright-eyed and excited to be a part of this world. Now, I see that new gen crowd, and they are a fun mixture of stylish influencers and young eager clients from all over the world. 

You’ve topped best-dressed lists worldwide and are known for daring yet elegant style. What’s your fashion philosophy in 2025? Has it evolved?

I hope my fashion philosophy and sensibilities continue to evolve. Fashion for me should reflect a time, place, state of mind, state of the world. I used to attend fashion weeks in a rainbow of colors and spectrum of materials. This season, I wore all black. My focus was on powerful statements, with silhouettes, craftmanship, and intricate details wherein if you know, you know. Some could say it’s more understated as compared to the past, I would say it’s more curated and intentional.

As someone who bridges both East and West in fashion, how do you see Asian designers shaping the future of couture and luxury?

I would love to see more Asian designers make their mark in Haute Couture. I’ve had the pleasure to getting to know, and to wear, both Guo Pei and Miss Sohee in the past. We need more like them. One of the reasons I love Couture so much is the educational component of learning about history through fine garments, luxurious detailing, and the designers’ homage to particular moments in time and place. Both Guo Pei and Miss Sohee produce pieces that are love songs to their respective heritages and help shine a light on cultural diversity in the most beautiful way.

Can you talk about your approach to fashion curation. How do you build a look that tells a story, rather than just dressing for impact?

This is it. This is the shift I hope to be making in my fashion evolution, from solely aesthetic impact to greater storytelling, and specifically, the telling of my personal story in relation to others. The look I wore for Chanel, for instance, was from the runway of their collection shown in Los Angeles. My city, Los Angeles, is undergoing unpresented and tumultuous times with entertainment strikes, fires, crime and more. But Los Angeles is strong and beautiful, and will persevere. You can take me out of Los Angeles, but you can’t take the Los Angeles out of me. The Couture look I wore for Armani is one that so elegantly intertwines eastern meets western beauty.

You helped change the narrative of Asian representation in mainstream media through ‘Bling Empire’. How do you reflect on that experience now that the spotlight has shifted?

While it was not easy co-executive producing ‘Bling Empire’ and being on-camera as talent, the project represents such a meaningful chapter of my life that I know has had great impact for AAPI representation in media. Although the show is no longer filming, the acceptance and normalization of AAPI faces in television and motion pictures has significantly improved. More needs to be done. By the way, AAPI is thriving in comedic arts.

Education is a personal passion of yours. How do you see fashion intersecting with education and cultural literacy, especially for younger generations?

Fashion is such a fun and exciting way to express art, communicate culture, and educate on histories of the world. This is why I very much dislike fast fashion, as they are devoid of ‘nutrients’ and offers us nothing. I’d much rather support vintage, recycled or upcycled pieces as they contribute something to our society, environment and knowledge. I feel that the younger generation more than their predecessors are keen to intentional buying and cause-based purchases. 

You’ve worn many hats: businesswoman, producer, mother, curator, philanthropist. When do you feel most creatively fulfilled?

At the risk of sounding like an overachiever, I am most creatively fulfilled when all of these aspects of my life are in full motion. Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery is my first born, it is and continues to be a shared love between myself and Dr. Chiu. Without the opportunities to impart positive change through innovative medical aesthetics, I’d feel entirely unstimulated. While motion picture and television arts is a newer space for me relative to aesthetics, the creatives and talented people I meet and stories I get to create together with them keeps my perspectives fresh and renewed. I love to curate traditional art and fashion, for their significant roles in storytelling. Philanthropy is inevitable for me. My mother was an incredible philanthropist and I feel that it’s in my blood. Giving of both time and money keeps me grounded and grateful. I currently serve on the Board of Governors for Motion Picture and Television Arts, which gives me the best of both worlds. And lastly, motherhood. The opportunity to curate and shape a human being’s experience of life is still the most amazing concept to me, and I do not take it for granted!

As you look ahead, what’s next for you? Any personal projects or goals on the horizon beyond the couture calendar?

 I am currently developing a new show and am extremely excited to return to television. Dr. Chiu and I are also working closely with The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures to continue to increase, highlight, support AAPI stories and perspectives. Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery is expanding. I am looking forward to new offices and locations.