Lauren Chan

Early Life and Education

Lauren Chan was born on August 9, 1990, in Brantford, Ontario, to a Chinese father and an Armenian mother. Her multicultural background informed her personal style and later her professional mission to expand fashion's narrow definitions. She attended the University of Western Ontario with aspirations of playing university-level basketball, a plan that changed after a significant health event. During her recovery from a ruptured appendix, she developed a new and lasting interest in fashion. Chan graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, a field of study that provided a critical framework for her future work challenging industry norms and advocating for systemic inclusion. Her Armenian heritage influenced her culinary tastes, as she has noted a particular love for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods, crediting her mother's palate.

Career Beginnings in Modelling and Editorial Work

Immediately after university, Chan moved to New York City to pursue a career in fashion, signing with the prestigious Ford Models agency as a plus-size model. Alongside modelling assignments for designers like Vera Wang and Christian Siriano, she began freelancing as a fashion writer to build her media credentials. In 2015, after three years in New York, she stepped away from full-time modelling at age 25 to accept the role of associate fashion news editor at Glamour magazine. At Glamour, Chan was not only responsible for covering the womenswear market but also became a dedicated voice for size inclusion. She created and wrote the Style Your Size column and digital vertical, co-designed the Glamour x Lane Bryant clothing line, and represented the magazine in broadcast segments on Good Morning America and Today. Despite her influential editorial position, she faced a persistent personal and professional challenge: a lack of stylish, high-quality plus-size clothing suitable for the workplace, which directly motivated her next venture. Her work during this period earned her the ASME Next Award for Journalists Under 30 in 2018, recognizing her early impact in magazine journalism.

Founding and Leading Henning

Frustrated by the market gap she experienced daily, Chan left her secure job at Glamour in 2018 to create a solution. She founded Henning, an ethical luxury womenswear brand exclusively for sizes 12 to 24, which she officially launched in 2019. The company's innovative business model was built on made-on-demand, slow fashion principles, producing garments only after they were ordered to minimize waste and inventory. Chan described the brand's mission as providing the professional workwear that had been systematically absent for plus-size women. Running the start-up was an all-consuming effort for five years, and Chan has spoken candidly about experiencing severe burnout during this period, citing the intense pressures of entrepreneurship. She has described learning about burnout while in the midst of it, with the acquisition finally allowing her to release a breath held for five years. In April 2023, Henning was acquired by the inclusive fashion company Universal Standard, a strategic move that validated Chan's vision and allowed the brand to scale. This transition enabled her to pivot her focus to new professional chapters while her brand's ethos continued under new ownership.

Historic Modelling Milestones and Awards

Chan's modelling career, which she resumed after leaving Glamour, achieved unprecedented milestones through her work with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. In 2023, she was named a Rookie in the magazine's annual issue, becoming the first plus-size model who was also openly queer to receive that designation. Her feature included a personal essay discussing her journey of coming out in her thirties. In 2025, she reached a historic peak by earning a solo cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, photographed by Ben Watts on a beach in Bermuda while wearing a Cult Gaia bikini with accessories by Alexis Bittar. This made her the first out lesbian to be featured on the cover in the publication's history. She was one of four solo cover models for the 2025 issue, alongside Salma Hayek Pinault, Olivia Dunne, and Jordan Chiles. Chan reflected on the moment, stating that being part of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit allows one to 'live in the spirit of hope and possibility.' Her professional impact has been recognized through a series of awards and honours from both the media and fashion industries, documenting her contributions across journalism, entrepreneurship, modelling, and community activism.

• 2018: Awarded the ASME Next Award for Journalists Under 30 by the American Society of Magazine Editors.
• 2019: Named one of Chatelaine magazine's Women of the Year and listed by Toronto Life magazine as one of the city's best dressed.
• 2021: Nominated for the Canadian Arts and Fashion Award (CAFA) for Digital Fashion Creator of the Year.
• 2023: Won the Canadian Arts and Fashion Award for Model of the Year, was listed among Toronto Life's 50 most influential Torontonians, and was included on Marie Claire's Power List.
• 2024: Honoured by Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and New York State Assembly member Grace Lee for her leadership in New York City's Chinese-American community and her advocacy for size inclusion.

Expansion into Television, Film, and Collaborations

Chan has systematically expanded her reach beyond print and runway into television, film, and major retail collaborations. In 2024, she joined the cast of the second season of the popular reality competition series The Traitors Canada as a contestant. She is also set to appear in the second season of the series Heated Rivalry, which is expected to premiere in the spring of 2027. Chan made a cameo appearance in the 2026 feature film The Devil Wears Prada 2. In May 2026, she launched a significant collaborative collection with the Canadian retailer Joe Fresh, a Pride-themed line featuring colourways directly inspired by the Progress Pride Flag. Also in 2026, she served as a co-chair for the Outbid charity event alongside former professional hockey player Harrison Browne. Chan has stated she is actively working on new projects in television and podcasting, indicating a continued evolution of her career in entertainment and media. She has expressed excitement about these new professional spaces and encourages her audience to stay tuned for upcoming announcements.

Activism and Advocacy Work

Chan's commercial success is fundamentally linked to her activism, with a consistent focus on size inclusion, mental health, and workers' rights. Since 2019, she has served as a national ambassador for the National Eating Disorders Association, using her platform to promote positive body image and combat harmful diet culture. She is also an active member of the advisory board for the Model Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group dedicated to securing fair treatment, better working conditions, and sustainable practices for models throughout the fashion industry. In 2024, her dual impact on community and industry was formally acknowledged by New York City officials. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and New York State Assembly member Grace Lee presented her with an honour for her leadership within the city's Chinese-American community and her groundbreaking work to advance size inclusion. In interviews, Chan has repeatedly stated that her core motivation across all her professional roles is to empower people who have been excluded from fashion because of their size, whether through direct representation as a model, educational content as an editor, or tangible product as a brand founder. She describes this mission as deeply personal and vital to sustaining her through the challenges of the fashion business.

Personal Life and Public Journey of Authenticity

Chan's personal life has unfolded with notable public transparency, reflecting a significant journey toward self-acceptance. She publicly announced her divorce from her husband on Valentine's Day in 2023. Later that same year, in a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue article published alongside her rookie feature, she came out as a lesbian. Chan has said that during the pandemic she was able to slow down work-wise and focus on what fulfills her outside of her career, spending energy on learning about herself. In 2024, she announced her relationship with film director Hayley Kosan. The couple got engaged in March 2025 and were married in October 2025. Chan has discussed using therapy, meditation, and intentional lifestyle practices to manage these major transitions and maintain mental health. She identifies the courage to start over professionally and personally as one of her proudest accomplishments, expressing that she is happier than ever and would endure the difficult process again for the authenticity she has gained.

Recent Projects and Public Appearances

Chan continues to be a fixture at high-profile events and maintains a deliberate and influential public profile. In 2026, she attended the Academy Awards, walking the red carpet in a custom gown designed by Leeland Mitchell, which she discussed in interviews as a collaborative creative process. She manages an active and carefully considered online presence, sharing her work, advocacy, and personal reflections with a large audience on platforms like Instagram. To sustain her well-being amid a demanding career, Chan implements strict personal boundaries with technology, such as limiting her online activity to between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm daily and putting her phone on Do Not Disturb overnight. She also keeps a gratitude journal as part of her wellness routine. Her stated goals include being intentional about her digital presence, continuing professional growth, learning about new forms of mental wellness, and spending more time away from screens, pointing to a balanced approach to her future in the public eye. Chan has also reflected on her style evolution, noting that since coming out she feels she uses clothes to attract people rather than as a shield, enjoying the discovery of her femme side.

Questions about Lauren Chan

What is Lauren Chan known for?

Lauren Chan is best known as a Canadian model, entrepreneur, and advocate for size inclusion. She founded the plus-size clothing brand Henning and made history as the first out lesbian to appear on a solo cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2025. Her career also includes significant work as a fashion editor for Glamour magazine and appearances on television shows like The Traitors Canada. She has been recognized with awards including the Canadian Arts and Fashion Award for Model of the Year.

What happened to Lauren Chan's clothing brand Henning?

Lauren Chan founded Henning, an ethical luxury womenswear brand for sizes 12 to 24, in 2019. The company operated on a made-on-demand, slow fashion model to reduce waste. In April 2023, the brand was acquired by the inclusive fashion company Universal Standard. Chan has described the acquisition as a relief after years of intense work and personal burnout running the business herself, allowing her to focus on new ventures.

Is Lauren Chan married?

Yes, Lauren Chan is married. After announcing her divorce in February 2023, she began a relationship with film director Hayley Kosan in 2024. The couple got engaged in March 2025 and were married in October 2025. Chan has spoken openly about this new chapter, crediting therapy and self-reflection during the pandemic for her journey to this point of happiness and authenticity.

What awards has Lauren Chan won?

Lauren Chan has received several prestigious awards. She won the ASME Next Award for Journalists Under 30 in 2018 and the Canadian Arts and Fashion Award for Model of the Year in 2023. She was also named a Chatelaine Woman of the Year in 2019 and was nominated for a CAFA for Digital Fashion Creator of the Year in 2021. In 2024, she was honoured by New York City officials for her community leadership and advocacy work.

What TV shows has Lauren Chan been on?

Lauren Chan appeared as a contestant on the second season of The Traitors Canada in 2024. She will also be in the second season of Heated Rivalry, which is expected to be released in spring 2027. She had a cameo role in the 2026 film The Devil Wears Prada 2. Chan has expressed excitement about working in new entertainment spaces like television and podcasting.

Where is Lauren Chan from?

Lauren Chan is from Brantford, Ontario, Canada. She was born there on August 9, 1990, and is of Chinese and Armenian descent. She later moved to New York City to pursue her career in fashion after graduating from the University of Western Ontario with a degree in sociology in 2012. Her Ontario roots remain a part of her identity, often referenced in interviews and profiles.

Sources and further reading

• Lauren Chan (Wikipedia)
• spotlight feature: lauren chan (edeneats.com)
• Canadian Model Lauren Chan Makes 'Sports Illustrated ... (inmagazine.ca)
• lauren chan, Ben Shoppe (thebenshoppe.com)

Checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-24.