Founder of the female-founded, mother–daughter meet Susanna Chow.
At LoveShackFancy, our story began with trunk shows, selling our dresses in other stores and finding retailers who believed in us. That spirit of partnership and taking a chance on others still shapes who we are today. Across all 25 boutiques, we proudly carry select third-party brands, spotlighting emerging female founders building something of their own. Discover Brands We Love here.
In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating several of the female-founded brands we carry in-store and online, beginning with Susanna Chow, a beautiful mother-daughter brand rooted in craftsmanship, heritage, and intention.
Founded by Susanna and her mother, the brand began at their kitchen table in Chinatown, where generations of sewing and beadwork were passed down from grandmother to mother to daughter. Today, those time-honored techniques live on in luxurious pieces designed to be worn, loved, and lived in. Built on patience, artistry, and the dialogue between tradition and modernity, Susanna Chow is a reminder that some of the most powerful brands begin in the most personal places.
What inspired you to start Susanna Chow?
It started very organically. I was visiting my mom in Chinatown and her dining table was completely covered in beadwork. Beading and sewing were skills she learned as a child from her own mother, who was also a seamstress, while growing up in Hong Kong, so they’ve always been part of our family life. When my mom beads, she doesn’t sketch, she thinks of these intricate patterns in her head and just starts beading. For her, it’s part creative and part mathematical equations. At the time, I was working at Estee Lauder overseeing international marketing, so when I saw her talent, I knew I had to help her share her magic with the universe.
At first, I translated that craft into handmade accessories. But as the brand evolved, we felt pulled toward creating pieces you truly live in. Outerwear became our way of taking those generational techniques and turning them into something luxurious and lasting. That shift is when it felt real – like we were building something rooted in heritage but designed for the future.
What is it like building a brand alongside your mom?
It’s definitely a unique dynamic but one I’m very grateful for. My mom and I have both always loved fashion and she brings a nostalgic sense of vintage, traditional glamour to everything she touches, while I tend to bring a more modern approach. It’s actually the best of both worlds and we’ve realized that’s where our best designs and ideas are born – especially being Chinese. It’s the duality and dialogue between the past and present, modernity and memory that sparks innovation, creativity, and the pieces people ultimately connect with on an emotional level.
She has taught me patience and the value of trusting the process. Prior to starting the brand, I worked in technology and luxury cosmetics so my love for color and experimentation I think helps to continue pushing the brand forward. My mother worked in finance for 40 years so she has this incredible business acumen that keeps us sensible. Together our differences really balance each other in the most beautiful way – blending tradition and modernity into something entirely unique.
At the core we share the same value: intention. Nothing we create is rushed. Every piece, every stitch is woven with a story that represents the celebration of love, craftsmanship, and artistry.
Was there a moment when you thought, “This is really happening”?
There have been so many surreal milestones, like seeing iconic strong women such as Ariana Grande, Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez wear our pieces, who I looked up to as a teenager is pretty amazing. When we first started the brand, we used to do trunkshows all across the country. The first trunkshow ever was actually at LoveShackFancy on Madison Avenue. When we saw women buying our pieces and multiple pieces at a time, I knew we had something special.
When something that truly began at our kitchen table travels the world it is incredibly humbling.
Which women have influenced your journey most?
First and foremost, my mom and my grandmother. They taught me to not only embrace but truly celebrate my identity as a Chinese-American woman. They also taught me to chase my dreams no matter how big or small it may be. As three generations of seamstresses and artisans, the sewing techniques we use are rooted in time-honored techniques and were passed down through the women in our family. Beyond them I’m inspired and deeply influenced by everyday women, including our customers who balance careers and family. They remind me why we do what we do.
What narrative around women in entrepreneurship would you like to see amplified?
I would love to see more visibility around women building businesses at their own pace. There is so much pressure to scale quickly, but there is real strength in growing intentionally.
Stories about generational knowledge, especially cultural heritage passed through women, also deserve more attention. Entrepreneurship does not always start in a boardroom. Sometimes it starts at a dining table with skills your mother taught you.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?
To me, International Women’s Day is really a moment to pause and reflect. Our brand exists because of the women who came before us, so it feels deeply personal. It’s not just about celebrating visible leaders, but also the women whose work often goes unseen, like mothers, grandmothers, and artisans who quietly shape everything around them. At its heart, it’s about honoring that legacy and recognizing how powerful it is when women create and build together. For me, it’s not just a celebration, it is an homage to where we come from - and what we carry forward. It’s about honoring the past while shaping the future.
What advice would you give a woman launching her first business?
Build something that feels honest to you and do not rush the process just because the industry moves quickly. Longevity comes from intention! Always trust your instincts, protect your values, and remember that growth does not have to be loud to be meaningful. Some of the most powerful brands begin in very small, personal ways, and that authenticity can become your greatest strength.
