Ding Youqiao's Chinese-inspired designs show her love for culture and utility

In a Chongqing high school dormitory, Ding Youqiao's aspirations danced across the foggy window pane. With nimble fingers, she etched her dreams: To study at Tsinghua and become an exceptional costume designer. Today, those dreams stand fulfilled as Ding proudly holds the title of independent designer and the distinction of being the first Chinese face to grace the halls of Louis Vuitton.

Ding Youqiao works at LV's Paris headquarters as their first Chinese designer. [Photo/Ding Youqiao]

Her journey into the world of design began in junior high school, where a passion for painting ignited her creative spirit. With each passing year, Ding's talent blossomed, earning her a scholarship at the prestigious Academy of Arts and Design at Tsinghua University. Despite offers for postgraduate studies, Ding was determined to head for Central Saint Martins (CSM), a reputable art university in London, the United Kingdom. She was drawn in by its illustrious alumni, which includes John Galliano, one of her favorite designers.

Ding likened the two universities to architectural structures: CMS, the facade, and Tsinghua, the foundation. It was her solid education at Tsinghua that empowered her to unleash her imagination at CSM.

Ding Youqiao's graduation works at Central Saint Martins' Press Show. [Photo/Ding Youqiao]

A pivotal moment in Ding's career came when she clinched the top prize in a competition co-hosted by CSM and LV, catapulting her into a year-long stint at LV's Paris headquarters. Despite the language barriers, Ding embraced the challenge and left her mark with the creation of the Speedy bag with an added belt – a best seller.

While her graduation works at CSM caught the eye of Lady Gaga's styling team, Ding chose to keep them as cherished memories. Her time at LV also deepened her appreciation for her Chinese heritage. "Living abroad made me realize the true beauty of the orient," she mused.

Ding Youqiao creates her own brand Jo Qiao Ding, which features traditional Chinese elements. [Photo/Ding Youqiao]

Driven by a desire to showcase the beauty of Chinese culture to the world, Ding turned down work opportunities at LV to come back to China to establish her own brand, Jo Qiao Ding, a brand that is known for its traditional Chinese elements.

When starting her business in Beijing, Ding immersed herself in the city's rich tapestry of historical sites. Ding visited the Forbidden City at least once a week, as it became a sanctuary for her creative spirit. "I enjoy looking at the trees, bricks, and the calligraphy there," said Ding.

Today, Ding takes pride in pioneering Chinese-style fashion. She infuses each of her designs with cultural elements. Notably, Ding's designs stand apart for their meticulous details. Each piece comes with a card, sharing its inspiration and background story. For Ding, clothing is more than just design, it's a canvas for expressing rich cultural narratives. 

Ding Youqiao's design works when working at LV. [Photo/Ding Youqiao]

Ding perceives the role of a designer as inherently service-oriented. She strives for each of her creations to find its ideal owner, emphasizing her aversion to waste. Since returning to her hometown of Chongqing, Ding has focused her efforts on personalizing her design approach, aligning her work with her values of efficiency and purposefulness.

Seeing her staff members continue to wear the work uniforms she designed, even after work, and coming across customers who express interest in purchasing them, Ding experiences a profound sense of fulfillment. "I believe the greatest praise a creation can receive is the desire to own it," she asserts.

 

Ding Youqiao designs the uniform through collaborating with tea'stone. [Photo/Ding Youqiao]

Rather than prioritizing her personal fame, Ding is dedicated to empowering more Chinese brands to achieve global recognition through her unique design approach. To date, Ding has collaborated with several Chinese enterprises, including prestigious brands to Summer and tea'stone.