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Ying Cai ®


Ying Cai _ Dress

 
Born in Canton, China, Ying Cai is an American designer living and working in New York City. She was born into a family with four generations in the clothing business. She developed her skills in design, sewing and drawing by watching her mother sketch, draft patterns, and sew her family's wardrobe. At the age of 12, she began professional ballet training and at age 17, she received a full scholarship to study at the Beijing Dance Academy. Eventually she made her way to the United States to pursue a Master of Fine Arts at Shenandoah University. It wasn’t long before she found her way back to her family’s roots, fashion design.

She launched her eponymous label in 2016. Her early career as a ballerina has heavily influenced her awareness of proportion and informed an effortless attitude evident in her work as a designer. The intention behind the label is to create a powerful yet feminine image by embracing “Eastern Elegance” which is heavily influencing by the designer’s Eastern and Find Art background.

The showing of her first Art Collection in December 2019, features detail paintings and the original “Tao Te Ching” in Chinese language hand written and paint by artist on silk lining inside each garment, every piece is “Made to Measure” and limited to 5 orders on each style. Harper’s Bazaar UK described the label as: “ Her collections are made for the ‘Powerful Feminist’. Came across noble, yet feminine; sophisticated, yet romantic.”

The designer also puts focus on quality and the finish of each piece. With the intent of creating a ethical luxury brand, she strives to find the best quality fabrics and set a high standard on craftsmanship to reinforce the aesthetic of the brand. Cai believes the inside of the garment is just as important as the outside. A high standard; a sustainable focus and a commitment to giving back that the designer believes is at the heart of her brand.

Ying Cai debuted her first collection in February 2016, in Hollywood, CA and her second collection in Paris, in March 2017. Pieces from her collections were worn by Fox producer Heliya Alam at the 2016 Oscar Red Carpet; model and actress Dustin Quick at 'The Man Who Saved The World' premiere during the Atomic Age Cinema Fest on April 2016, Los Angeles; actress Elise Luthman at the 37th Young Artist Award as nominee and presenter which broadcasted on PBS in March 2016; actress Christina Ochoa at the Oscar celebration party in Hollywood, February 2017. Since June 2017, the label has been regularly seen on British Harper’s Bazaar; Glamour; GQ and Tatler magazines.

Awards:

2021 International Design Award 

Prize: Silver - Apparel Category / Runway Collections

Prize: Silver - Sustainable / Recycle Fashion

2020 International Design Award 

Prize: Silver - Pret-a-porter / Women

Prize: Bronze - Apparel Category / Runway Collections

2020 London International Creative Competition

Prize: Official Selection in Use (product)

 

Read more about the Art Collection here

Read more about our Values and Giving Back here

 

Ying Cai _ Clothing