Colleen Quen
Couture and Artist
https://www.quenlife.com/
Top 9 Q&A with Colleen Quen
1. How did your mother influence your passion for fashion design?
Colleen Quen: My mother, Mary Quen, was my first teacher, mentor, and partner in creativity. She taught me to design, sew, paint, and embroider, and she always encouraged me to be authentic in my art. Growing up with her support allowed me to develop my creative instincts, and she nurtured that drive within me. Her belief in my abilities shaped my journey, teaching me that dedication and support are essential to bringing your artistic vision to life.
2. How has your Chinese heritage and family history influenced your design philosophy?
Colleen Quen: My Chinese heritage taught me so much about family, community, and respect. I’m a fourth-generation Chinese American, so I grew up balancing American and Chinese values. Family gatherings were central to my life, and my parents instilled respect for tradition. Later in life, studying Taoism and Qigong deepened my understanding of peace, balance, and harmony—values that helped me approach my work and life with strength and compassion.
3. You often incorporate natural forms like butterflies into your designs. What do these elements mean to you?
Colleen Quen: Butterflies have always fascinated me. In Chinese culture, they symbolize longevity, transformation, and beauty. To me, butterflies are magical, reminding me to stay in the moment and continue evolving. They’re symbols of grace and lightness, which are qualities I aim to bring into my work. I see these natural elements as powerful representations of beauty and strength, inspiring me to create pieces that capture their spirit.
4. Many young designers struggle with balancing trends and authenticity. How do you maintain your unique style in a constantly evolving industry?
Colleen Quen: I’ve always found my path in couture, where each piece is unique and made-to-measure. This approach allows me to stay authentic and focused, rather than chasing trends. Being a designer is about expressing your vision, even when the industry changes. I remind myself to create with meaning rather than just following what’s popular. For aspiring designers, learning to trust your voice helps build that foundation of dedication to stay authentic over time.
5. Fashion design is such a multifaceted field. What should aspiring designers—and their parents—understand about the reality of being a designer?
Colleen Quen: Fashion design combines art, business, technology, and discipline. You have to know fabrics, colors, and body shapes, and manage technical skills like pattern-making and garment construction. Time management is also essential—staying organized and setting routines keeps you inspired and productive. Fashion is a tough, competitive field, so resilience and dedication are key. Like in sports, you’re not going to win every match or game, and it’s essential to learn from setbacks. Parents can help by encouraging their kids to develop a routine, understand the value of persistence, and view challenges constructively. This support builds a solid foundation of resilience, which is crucial to success.
6. What advice do you have for young designers who want to pursue fashion as a career?
Colleen Quen: Find your authentic voice. Fashion design is about showing the world your perspective, so embrace what you naturally love. Let your inspirations guide you, and be prepared to dedicate yourself fully. Creating with intention will make your work resonate with others. Parents can support this journey by encouraging a balance of creativity and discipline, helping young designers build habits that will keep them motivated and dedicated.
7. What skills and disciplines do you think are crucial for a fashion designer to develop early in their career?
Colleen Quen: A strong love for color, and fabric, and understanding how clothing interacts with the body is key. Fashion design is like composing music—you need harmony, rhythm, and creativity. Early on, it’s important to develop good time management and structure, which allows you to grow without burnout. Parents can help by fostering a love for learning new skills, which provides a great foundation in this competitive field.
8. How did your background in computer science impact your work in fashion and art?
Colleen Quen: My background in computer science made me very organized and analytical, which is essential for running a design business. It’s important to balance creativity with practical skills like organization and business management. Having structure in place allows me to manage every aspect of my work, from designing to fabric selection. For young designers, learning these skills early is valuable, especially if you plan to run your own studio or brand.
9. How do you handle creative blocks or challenges in the industry?
Colleen Quen: Creative blocks happen to all of us, and during difficult times like the pandemic, I turned to meditation and Qigong to center myself. Sometimes stepping back, being in nature, or listening to music helps reset inspiration. I encourage young designers to be gentle with themselves and take breaks when needed, as this approach often brings back creativity and energy.
Full Interview
CATS: We’re thrilled to have Colleen Quen with us today—a true creative powerhouse whose work blends fashion, art, and a deep connection to nature. With a unique background in both computer science and couture, Colleen, you bring a rare combination of technical skill and artistic vision to your work. Let’s dive into your creative journey and the insights you have for young artists and designers. Welcome, Colleen!
Colleen Quen: Thank you, CATS! That introduction is so heartwarming—I’m so grateful to be here with you.
CATS: Let’s start with your early influences. How did your mother’s influence shape your passion for fashion design?
Colleen Quen: My mother, Mary Quen, was my first teacher, mentor, and partner in creativity. She taught me how to design, sew, paint, and embroider—anything I wanted to learn, she was there to support. She had such a unique ability to listen to my soul and encourage my authentic self. Growing up, we shared a creative bond, almost like “partners in crime.” She nurtured my creative spirit, and together we explored art in a way that was almost like living an artful life. Her support allowed me to trust my voice as a designer, which is a gift I carry with me in my work today.
CATS: Can you tell us about how your Chinese heritage and family history influenced your design philosophy?
Colleen Quen: My Chinese heritage taught me so much about family, community, and respect. I’m a fourth-generation Chinese American, which meant balancing American and Chinese influences. Family gatherings were central to my life, and my parents instilled values like respect for elders and kindness toward others. Later in life, studying Taoism and Qigong deepened my connection to these values, bringing peace, balance, and a love for nature into my designs. This foundation has helped me create work that honors my roots and celebrates beauty and harmony in the world.
CATS: You often incorporate natural forms like butterflies into your designs. What do these elements mean to you?
Colleen Quen: Butterflies have always fascinated me. In Chinese culture, they symbolize longevity, transformation, and beauty. I was drawn to them even as a child, nurturing them from cocoon to butterfly. To me, butterflies are magical—they remind me to stay in the moment and continue evolving. When I design, I want to capture that beauty and ethereal quality. Butterflies and other elements from nature bring lightness and inspiration to my work, almost as if they carry the spirit of the art with them.
CATS: Many young designers struggle with balancing trends and authenticity. How do you maintain your unique style in a constantly evolving industry?
Colleen Quen: I’ve always found my path in couture, which values one-of-a-kind pieces that are made-to-measure. This approach allows me to stay authentic rather than chasing trends. I see my work as wearable art and a way to communicate with the world. For me, being a designer is about expressing a vision—whether it’s compassion, joy, or harmony—that feels true to me. When I create, it’s with the intention of sharing something meaningful, almost like a prayer for beauty and positivity. So, rather than following trends, I listen to my inner voice and focus on what feels true.
CATS: Fashion design is such a multifaceted field. What should aspiring designers—and their parents—understand about the reality of being a designer?
Colleen Quen: Fashion design combines many areas: art, business, technology, and a lot of discipline. You have to know fabrics, colors, body shapes, and also manage technical skills like pattern-making and garment construction. Time management is incredibly important, too—staying organized and setting routines helps keep you inspired and on track. For parents, encouraging kids to explore different aspects of art, like painting or sewing, is helpful. Supporting their creativity with structure and routine will help them succeed in this field.
CATS: What advice do you have for young designers who want to pursue fashion as a career?
Colleen Quen: The most important thing is to find your authentic voice. Fashion design is about showing the world your perspective, so embrace what you naturally love. Maybe you’re drawn to color, fabric, or structure—follow that inspiration. Fashion can be deeply personal, and when you create with intention, it resonates with others. So, my advice is to trust your passion for beauty and expression; it’s what will make your work unique and memorable.
CATS: What skills and disciplines do you think are crucial for a fashion designer to develop early in their career?
Colleen Quen: A strong love for color, fabric, and understanding how clothing interacts with the body is key. Fashion design is like composing music; you need an understanding of harmony, rhythm, and how different elements work together. Developing a good sense of time management early on is also crucial. Balancing creativity with deadlines allows you to grow without burnout, and it’s essential if you want to deliver work consistently. A solid foundation in these skills will help you create expressive, empowering pieces.
CATS: Can you tell us about the works behind you—the cape, your body form, and your paintings?
Colleen Quen: Of course! Each of these pieces reflects a different part of my artistic journey. The cape is inspired by the spirit of transformation and fluidity, almost like a butterfly. I designed it with flowing shapes and layered textures to capture a sense of movement, as if the wearer is surrounded by nature. The body form you see is a constant companion in my studio. It’s a tool that allows me to translate ideas into shapes and forms on the human body, blending art with functionality.
My paintings, which you also see here, are deeply personal—they’re a blend of calligraphy, Qigong, and Taoist philosophy. I paint with a style that’s similar to calligraphy, where each stroke is intentional and captures energy. The colors, often inspired by nature, convey my love for life and the harmony I see around me. Each piece has its own story and message, like a mantra in color, expressing joy, gratitude, and the beauty of our world.
CATS: How did your background in computer science impact your work in fashion and art?
Colleen Quen: My background in computer science made me very organized and analytical, which is essential for managing a design business. This combination of technical skill and creativity helps me in everything from designing and fabric selection to managing payroll. For aspiring designers, balancing creativity with practical skills like organization and business management is so important, especially if you plan to run your own studio or brand.
CATS: How do you handle creative blocks or challenges in the industry?
Colleen Quen: Creative blocks happen to all of us, and during difficult times like the pandemic, I turned to meditation and Qigong. These practices helped me stay centered and reconnect with my creativity. Sometimes, stepping away and being in nature, listening to music, or just taking time to breathe can reset your inspiration. My advice to anyone facing a block is to be gentle with yourself—sometimes you need a break to find new ideas. Creativity is a journey, and it’s okay to take a step back when you need it.
CATS: Fashion design is such a multifaceted field. What should aspiring designers—and their parents—understand about the reality of being a designer?
Colleen Quen: Fashion design combines many areas: art, business, technology, and a lot of discipline. You have to know fabrics, colors, body shapes, and also manage technical skills like pattern-making and garment construction. Time management is incredibly important, too—staying organized and setting routines helps keep you inspired and on track. Fashion can be tough and competitive, so resilience and dedication are essential to stay motivated and grow. For parents, helping children develop a sense of structure, resilience, and constructive ways to overcome challenges is a great way to support them. Encourage kids to explore different aspects of art, but also help them develop habits and routines that balance creativity with discipline. This foundation will give them the skills to pursue their passion with confidence and perseverance.
CATS: Colleen, as we wrap up this inspiring conversation, what’s the one piece of advice you would give to aspiring designers?
Colleen Quen: I would tell every aspiring designer: Stay true to yourself. Your authenticity is your greatest gift. Fashion is a way of expressing who you are and what you see in the world, so let that inner voice guide you. Don’t get too caught up in trends or what others are doing. Focus on what feels meaningful to you, and bring that into your work. When you create from the heart, your designs will naturally connect with others. Remember, beauty and inspiration come from within—trust that, and you’ll find your path.
CATS: Thank you so much, Colleen, for sharing your wisdom, your journey, and your vision. You’ve truly inspired us, and we’re grateful for the advice you’ve given to the next generation of designers.
Colleen Quen: Thank you, CATS. It’s been a joy to share my journey with you. I hope it encourages others to find their own voice in this beautiful, challenging, and rewarding world of design.