Colleen Quen, Couturier
Born and lives in San Francisco, California, 1962. Fourth generation Chinese American.
My charming Atelier is privately tucked away on one of the highest San Francisco hills called Telegraph by Coit Tower.
My three decades of work in Couture fashion and art in my community as well as internationally, are inspired by my global cultural influences from my Eastern Spiritual heritage, my American upbringing and French couture education which lead to my International Museum commissions, Ballet costumes and Private Clientele which are exhibited and worn all around the world. Integrating my cultural experiences and life dedication to Couture and art it internally speaks to me with such pure clarity and intention. I am an optimistic poet, romantic sculptor expressing and creating each art piece with my heart and hands through the characteristics of fabric and the human spirit. To be a creative vessel, educator and communicator for our planet through our Fashion Design. My life mission in my work, is to always bring forth a Universal message with honor to French Couture and the message of pure Beauty, Elegance and Style.
photo credit: Vincent Gotti
SFMOMA CAMPAIGN MUSES AND ARTWORKS
Colleen Quen and Femme au Chapeau by Henri Matisse
Colleen Quen's designs are inspired by natural motifs, Impressionism, and modern architecture. With 23 years of experience as a couturier, her designs reflect an intimate and intuitive sense of the art of shaping clothes to the body. Quen's designs have drawn attention in both the art and fashion worlds; her gowns have been featured in Women's Wear Daily, The New York Times, Forbes and the International Herald Tribune, and have been worn by celebrities such as Tyra Banks, Geena Davis, and Paris Hilton. She collaborates with Alonzo King's LINES Ballet, creating costumes that seem to dance along with the dancers themselves. Quen studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and at the Simmone Sethna School of Fashion, where she specialized in French design, modeling, and cutting. A native of the Bay Area, Quen is currently preparing her future International Design commissions at her San Francisco atelier, LeeQuen.
Quen is paired with the painting Femme au Chapeau (Woman with a Hat) (1905) by Henri Matisse.