Fashion as Care: Apparel Designer Helena Wang on Gentle Power and Respect for the Human Experience
Helena Wang’s Central Saint Martins Study Abroad Portrait. Courtesy of Helena Wang.
By Julia Gamolina
Helena Wang is a fashion designer born and raised in New York City, and the founder of her eponymous fashion label. She received her BFA in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design and her MA in Arts Administration from Columbia University. She was named a Fashion Future Graduate by the CFDA, and previously held positions at brands including Vera Wang, Jason Wu, and Ulla Johnson. She studied abroad at Parsons Paris and Central Saint Martins, which shaped her multicultural design methodology. Helena’s mission is to create fashion that heals, redefining everyday luxury as art designed with genuine care.
Congratulations on your debut collection Helena! I can only imagine the amount of work and thought behind it. What propelled you to start your own line? What were you seeing that was missing in the apparel industry, and why now for the launch?
Thank you Julia! It’s an honor to speak with you as a fellow entrepreneur. I studied architecture before fashion, so your platform is especially meaningful to me. I believe fashion is architecture in its softest form.
I come from a lineage of both artists and doctors, so I always saw the world through an artistic lens while valuing health and care for others. Through years of experience, I noticed a lack of empathy within the fashion system: from labor exploitation, to a disregard for how materials affect both human health and the planet, and even to how people within companies are treated.
It is a difficult time to start a brand, given the volatile political and economic climate. I felt that’s exactly why now is the right moment. My design ethos is built on soft power, prioritizing care, integrity, and respect for the human experience. I believe our world needs these qualities the most right now.
Helena Wang NYFW Launch Preparation. Photo courtesy of Blanc Gallery.
Helena Wang Parsons Acupressure Healing Thesis. Photography by Helena Wang.
Now let's go back a little bit; what did you study in college? What were you wanting to do in the world then?
I studied Fashion Design at Parsons, and from the start, I had a clear vision for my brand. I wanted to combine my aesthetic sensibility and love of design with my desire to care for others. To me, design is another form of healing. Fashion is the most direct form of art to care for people because it can transform how you feel in your own skin. For my Parsons thesis, I designed an acupressure-inspired collection using pearls and glass spheres to align with energy points on the body. This concept still subtly carries into my most recent collection.
For my Master’s, I studied Arts Administration at Columbia to approach fashion from an arts business perspective. The world would be a more intentional and sustainable place if we treated clothing with the same care and respect as fine art.
“I believe fashion is architecture in its softest form.”
What was some of the best advice you got early on that has informed your approach to your work and career?
A former boss of mine never took “no” for an answer. Years ago, I didn’t understand this mindset, but now, I carry it with me every day. Entrepreneurship is full of “no’s,” and being told every day what you want to achieve is impossible. It takes grit, confidence, and a touch of delusion — just enough to not take rejection personally while always having the humility to constantly learn.
Tell me about your professional experiences before launching your label. What did you learn with each step?
My favorite experience was interning at Vera Wang, where I learned the value of precision, professionalism, and surrounding yourself with the right team. Eight years later, the fellow interns I met there remain my closest friends. They became the teammates who supported me behind the scenes for my own brand launch. It taught me that in fashion, your community is everything.
Helena Wang. Essence Collection 1. Photography by Vince Cai.
Looking back at it all, what have been the biggest challenges? How did you both manage through perceived disappointments or setbacks?
I don’t think anyone truly understands how difficult it is to start a brand until they live it. You’re responsible for every decision, from the color of a thread to major financial choices, and any one of them can suddenly go wrong.
There are days when you have to make hundreds of decisions. That level of responsibility is both a privilege yet a lonely journey. Having a growth mindset and the sheer refusal to give up has helped me manage setbacks. Every time I experience a downturn, I tell myself, “Most startups fail because the leader gives up at this moment — it will not be me.”
“Listen to your body. Pushing through exhaustion only slows you down in the long run. When you’re tired and unproductive, it’s not weakness; it’s your body’s way of communicating with you.”
Who were your mentors through it all?
My greatest mentor through this journey has been Pauline Brown. She has been so kind to share her expertise with me, and I love to learn from her experiences as the former Chair of LVMH North America. She sat down with me countless times to talk about challenges, and instilled a lot of confidence in me.
What is the impact you’d like to have on the world? What is your core mission? And, what does success in that look like to you?
My mission is to create fashion that heals and to redefine fashion as art designed with genuine care. I always consider how my work can nurture the human body through thoughtful materials and benefit the planet through sustainable design. I hope that when people wear my designs, they feel truly cared for, beautiful, and confident.
To me, success means making a living doing something you love while being able to return home to a warm family. This balance is what I strive for.
Helena Wang NYFW Exhibition. Photography by Helena Wang.
Helena Wang Launch Collection with Models. Photography by Vince Cai.
Who are you admiring now and why?
I admire Gemma Chan for her ability to channel elegance, grace, and kindness through her activism. She truly embodies power that is gentle. Rosé from Blackpink is also a muse to me. I admire how she transforms personal hardship into beauty and connection through her art. Her work inspires me to embrace my own vulnerability and sensitivity.
Finally, what advice do you have for those starting their career? Would your advice be any different for women?
Listen to your body. Pushing through exhaustion only slows you down in the long run. When you’re tired and unproductive, it’s not weakness; it’s your body’s way of communicating with you.
For women especially, our energy naturally ebbs and flows throughout the month. If you learn to respect your body’s needs and rest when needed, you’ll be far more creative, productive, and happy.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.