About

Elena Qiu is a Taiwanese-American fashion designer who makes custom, one-of-a-kind pieces. Specializing in womenswear, she explores the intimate connection between femininty and clothing. Through bold silhouettes, statement shoulders, and layered textures, Qiu rejects the need for women to be desirable objects as palatable to men, imagining a universe where women take up space freely. Qiu creates clothing for those who are unafraid of facing discomfort in an unforgiving world that demands us to stay small. 

Based in Seattle, WA, but willing to travel. Avaliable for commissions, styling, and stylist pulls. 

 

Experience

Production Assistant at Collina Strada, New York Fashion Week | September 2023

  • Guest list management of high-profile influencer guests, managed guest flow of 100+ attendants. 
  • Collaborated with team of 10+ people, communicating to navigate guests across convoluted shipyard venue and difficult weather conditions.  

Production Assistant at UGGS X ASAP Nast x esquire, New York Fashion Week | September 2023

  • Managed intimate guest experience, ensuring privacy of high-profile guests, including A$AP Nast, A$AP Ferg, Tremaine Emory, and Bloody Osiris. 
  • Assisted in event production and set up, arranging silverware, placing name cards, managing flower pieces.

Set Design at CHAN CHIT LO, New York Fashion Week | September 2023

  • Constructed and draped detailed installation chair piece, used for main fashion performance. 
  • Communicated with designer and production staff to discuss layout of fashion exhibition space, in addition to guest placement and guest list management. 
  • Assisted with production to ensure smooth running on show-day, distributing drinks, and greeting high-profile guests. 

Production Assistant at NAMESAKE, Paris Fashion Week | June 2023  

  • Assigned seating for over 300 guests at the Namesake Paris Men’s Fashion week show.
  • Managed guest list for high-profile buyers, press at High Snobiety, Vogue, etc. Notable guests include Mia Khalifa and Bloody Osiris.  
  • Communicated with stakeholders to facilitate dressing celebrity clients for 4+ influencer guests. 
  • Facilitated communication between designers and clients, interperting Mandarin, Chinese to English. 
  • Tracked and organized 20+ samples, delivering directly to guest hotels. 
  • Operated in fast-paced environment in 5+ person team, managed rushes of 300+ guests within the span of ~45 minutes on show day. 

Production Assistant and Dresser at Airei LA, Paris Fashion Week | June 2023

  • Worked in conjunction with show stylists to organize looks for 20+ models.
  • Dressed and prepared clothing for assigned models, organizing looks in conjunction with the order models were to walk on the runway, transporting clothing, clothing racks, accessories, etc.
  • Coordinated with show producer to arrange runway setup, moving benches and seating for guests.  
  • Assisted in efficiently helping models change into two different looks shortly before their next turn on the runway.

Fashion Designer at MESH UW Fashion Show | May 2022 & May 2023

  • Worked under a tight schedule with hair makeup artists to style models for photoshoots, runway walk, and editorials.
  • Designed, pattern drafted, sewed 4-look fashion collection within the span of 2 weeks (2022). Produced 5 looks within the span of 3 weeks for 2023 fashion show.
  • Produced the first ever student-run fashion show at the University of Washington. 2022 show sold out with more than 200 guests; 2023 show held at an outside music venue at “The Crocodile”, sold out with over 300 guests’ attendance.
  • Featured in multiple local news publishing sites such as GzRadio and The Daily.