An Inspired Chat with zixuan xu of los angeles

We recently had the chance to connect with zixuan xu and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning zixuan, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
“The first 90 minutes? Haha. Well, if we’re counting from the second I actually open my eyes, I usually give myself another 20 minutes to just… “kiss” the bed again. I mean, at least 20 minutes.To be honest, I don’t really snap back to ‘reality’ right away. I’m still kind of half-living in my dreams. I’ve been a huge dreamer since I was a kid—pretty much every night—and I always remember them. I actually make a point to write them down or sketch them out.For me, dreaming feels incredibly real. I’ve even read up on it online, and apparently, I fit the description of a ‘lucid dreamer.’ My dreams build these whole worlds that change over time—the architecture, the space, the vibe, the story, even the smells… each dream has its own distinct style.I really cherish those feelings and the inspiration I get from them. They’re honestly the most mysterious and romantic source for my creative work.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Zixuan Xu, and I am a fashion designer from China whose work blends storytelling, sustainability, and emotion. I graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and my practice centers around transforming everyday materials into something with new life, new meaning, and new energy.

One of my signature ongoing projects is RECOOK, where I “re-cook” discarded or forgotten garments—treating old clothing like ingredients that can be reimagined, re-seasoned, and reborn. I believe in the emotional value of objects, and I love the idea that a piece can carry its past into its future in a completely new form. My design approach is tactile, instinctive, and deeply personal, often influenced by my dreams, memories, and the small details of daily life.

And honestly—at the core of everything—I just like doing things that feel fun to me. Nothing too deep. Making things has always been my way of staying connected to joy, and I hope that same feeling can pass through to the people who wear or experience my work.

Rather than chasing mass production, I focus on slow, intentional creation—making one-of-a-kind pieces that feel alive. My goal is to inspire more people to appreciate upcycling not just as a method, but as a lifestyle and a way of thinking. Through fashion, I hope to share warmth, sincerity, and a sense of possibility.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I think the part of me that needs to be released is the version of myself that believed I had to “earn” permission to exist in the world. For a long time, I carried a habit of constantly proving, explaining, justifying—almost apologizing—for the space I take up. That mindset helped me survive earlier stages of my life and pushed me to work hard, stay alert, and constantly self-improve. It served its purpose.

But now it feels too heavy. It limits the way I create and the way I breathe.

I want to release the part of me that operates from pressure instead of curiosity. I want to let go of the reflex to overthink every step before taking it. I no longer want to shrink myself to make things easier for others.

The person I am becoming creates from sincerity, not fear; from instinct, not obligation. I want to live with more softness, more playfulness, more trust in my own rhythm. That part of me—the one that is ready to be lighter—deserves to come forward.

So the version that needs to be released is the one who constantly tries to be “enough.”
The version I’m keeping is the one who simply is.

Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
Honestly—always. I’m someone who loves to talk and express myself. One of my biggest fears, but also something I’m strangely proud of, is that I tend to hand people my whole heart. I speak openly, emotionally, sometimes too much. I’m naturally a people-pleaser; I put others’ needs above my own without even noticing.

But somehow, throughout my life, I’ve always had people who truly listened to me. My friends, my family, my partner—they’ve all been incredibly patient with me. They don’t just hear my words; they try to understand my chaotic, layered inner world.

Maybe that’s why I keep sharing so fearlessly. Their willingness to listen makes me feel safe enough to keep showing up as who I really am.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Of course. I’m not very good at hiding myself. I talk a lot, I express a lot, and most of the time what you see is exactly what you get.

But I’ll admit—there’s a tiny bit of “packaging” involved. I tend to speak very directly, sometimes a little too casually, and my friends often joke that I have “no filter” or “no boundaries.” Maybe that’s true. Maybe I just grew up expressing myself before learning the “polite” way to do it.

So the public version of me is real—it’s just the slightly edited version, where I try my best to say things a bit more appropriately. The core of who I am never changes; I just soften the edges when needed.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Honestly? Full-time employment — absolutely goodbye.
If I only had ten years left, the last thing I’d do is spend them sitting in an office, pretending to care about deadlines or workplace politics. I’d stop forcing myself to tolerate environments or people that drain me. Unless someone magically hands me a perfect job with a perfect boss (which… let’s be honest, is basically a myth), I’m done.

What would I do instead?
I’d go outside. I’d travel. I’d spend real time with the people I love — my family, my friends — the people who actually make my life feel full. I’d play more, laugh more, disappear for weekends, have long conversations, get lost, do spontaneous things just because they feel good.

Yes, I’d still create, but not in a tortured-artist way — more like a person who finally has time to breathe.
But the main thing? I’d stop living for work, and start living for my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zixuanxu.squarespace.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xzx_suki/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zixuan-xu

Image Credits
Model: Shammah Dosunmd/ Sevahna de leon
Photographer: Hankunyu Wei