After more than a decade in the film and television industry, Gemma Chan was propelled into international stardom thanks to her role as Singaporean socialite, Astrid Leong, in the 2018 film Crazy Rich Asians. Her subsequent entry into the Marvel universe ensured that she has well and truly become a household name. After playing Doctor Minerva in Captain Marvel in 2019, Chan is now back on the blockbuster scene as Sersi in Eternals.
Always elegant and perfectly poised (much like Astrid), the actress has brought an air of grace to every red carpet appearance and served many a mesmerising look over the years. From her dazzling Tom Ford Met Gala debut in 2019 to a show-stopping golden moment in Oscar de la Renta at Cannes earlier this year, it has been a delight to see her step confidently into the role of style star and bring much needed BIPOC representation to the industry.
Vogue Singapore’s November/December cover star has also increasingly been spotlighting Asian designers on the red carpet and at press days, using her platform to showcase Asian fashion talent. Read on to see 15 occasions where Gemma Chan has championed Asian designers.
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Miss Sohee
On the digital cover of Vogue Singapore’s November/December issue, Gemma Chan wears a couture gown from Miss Sohee. Founded by 25-year-old South Korean designer Sohee Park, Chan also wore a custom Miss Sohee creation at the 16th annual Rome Film Festival for the premiere of Eternals in October 2021.
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PH5
Chan has been on a whirlwind press tour over the past few weeks for Eternals. She kicked things off on day one in LA wearing a dress from PH5. Founded in 2014 by Wei Lin, the sustainability-focused knitwear brand based in NY and China blends sportswear aesthetics with playful silhouettes.
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Prabal Gurung
At the Met Gala in May 2021, Chan and designer Prabal Gurung paid tribute to the first Chinese-American actress, Anna May Wong, with a black sequinned mini dress accompanied by a pastel green train.
Born in Singapore to Nepali parents and raised in Kathmandu, Gurung is known as much for his advocacy as for his designs.
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Before Chan and Gurung came together on her Met Gala look, the actress was already wearing the designer’s pieces during her Crazy Rich Asians press tour. She wore a bright blue dress in the New York City leg in August 2018.
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On day one of her Crazy Rich Asians Los Angeles press tour, Chan opted for a dress with contrasting plaid fabrics gathered at the waist with cut-out detailing.
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Yuhan Wang
Gemma Chan posed for a selfie while wearing a form-fitting lace ensemble with red button accents from Yuhan Wang spring/summer 2021 in March 2021.
Since graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2016, Chinese-born designer, Yuhan Wang, has grown a formidable following. In addition to a three-season showcase with Fashion East, Wang was also shortlisted for the LVMH Prize in 2020.
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Edeline Lee
For the virtual premiere of Raya and the Last Dragon in March 2021, Chan wore a dress from Edeline Lee’s spring/summer 2021 collection paired with heels from Simone Rocha.
Before launching her eponymous label, which focuses on precision and wearability, Korean-Canadian designer Edeline Lee interned at Alexander McQueen in London and John Galliano in Paris.
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Huishan Zhang
Chan wore a belted tweed number from Huishan Zhang on a press day for Raya and the Last Dragon in February 2021. The Chinese-born designer studied at Central Saint Martins and interned at Dior, and runs his eponymous label from London.
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Chan attended the grand opening of the St. Regis hotel in Hong Kong in April 2019 with her parents. She chose to wear a metallic mid-length dress with three tiers of feathering by Huishan Zhang for the occasion.
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The actress wore a drop waist dress with an asymmetrical hemline, accented with ruffles and feathers, on a stop in Dallas for the Crazy Rich Asians press tour in August 2018.
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Adeam
Chan ushered in the Lunar New Year this year in a red dress and gold belt from Adeam. The New York-based fashion label was founded by Japanese designer Hanako Maeda in 2012, and is inspired by Maeda’s upbringing in both cities.
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Back in August 2018 , the actress opted for a modern trench dress by Adeam to attend The IMDB show.
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Philip Lim
Gemma Chan went for bold in a colour block outfit, in March 2019, from 3.1 Phillip Lim spring/summer 2019.
Born in Thailand to parents of Chinese descent, Phillip Lim, the co-founder and creative director of the label, immigrated to the US as a child and is an outspoken advocate for Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) causes.
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Jason Wu
At the Critics Choice Awards in January 2019, Chan was a floral fantasy in an exuberant off-shoulder gown from Jason Wu. The Taiwanese-Canadian designer needs no introduction, having made headlines after designing Michelle Obama’s inaugural ball gown in 2009.
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Simone Rocha
As part of her promo tour for Crazy Rich Asians, Chan wore a lace-trimmed tulle dress with floral embroidery by Simone Rocha in September 2018. Best known for her quirky, ultra-feminine style, the Irish-Chinese designer often pays homage to her heritage in her collections.
The November/December ‘Eternity’ issue of Vogue Singapore is available for sale online and in-store from 16 November.
