Today we’d like to introduce you to Yue (Cassie) Xu.
Hi Yue (Cassie), we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My approach to fashion has been shaped by my experiences across two very different cultures: China and the United States. I studied at Parsons the New School and Central Saint Martins, where I built my skills and developed my creative voice. I’ve also gained hands-on experience working for brands both in China and New York, taking on roles as a designer, pattern maker, and stylist. This range of experience has given me a deeper understanding of the industry from multiple perspectives.
Last year, my thesis collection debuted at New York Fashion Week. It featured bold, playful shapes and a strong focus on craftsmanship, including techniques like hand crocheting, molding, and specialized leather treatments. Experimenting with textures became a signature part of my design style.
Currently, my work continues to highlight detailed handcrafts and playful, creative cuts. My professional experiences have also led me to pay more attention to the origin and handling of materials, the labor and craftsmanship behind each piece, and the joy and practicality of dressing, whether through styling, versatility, or wearability.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, haha—I’ve learned to embrace the struggles along the way. The unpredictability and challenges actually make this journey even more thrilling for me. The fashion industry is complicated; it’s something I deeply love and have committed myself to, yet I’ve also faced some tough realities, like toxic work environments, not receiving credit for my efforts, or being underpaid and overworked. Those experiences helped me clarify what kind of future I really want.
In school, we learned a lot about sustainability, but in reality, things can look very different. To me, sustainability shouldn’t just be a business decision; it needs to be embedded in the culture and lifestyle of fashion itself—showing respect to every step in the process. That means caring about how materials are sourced, honoring the people behind each garment, and even influencing how the piece lives in someone’s wardrobe. Ultimately, these struggles have become another form of learning beyond school, guiding my growth in the industry.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My strength lies in taking traditional crafts and giving them a fresh, modern, and playful twist. Each piece I design is guided by how materials perform and interact with the body. I create both womenswear and menswear, ranging from conceptual fashion to ready-to-wear. One of my best-known pieces is the “Sofa look,” where I incorporated elements and shapes inspired by sofas directly into the garment- entirely designed, pattern-cut, and sewn by me. This conceptual collection was inspired by household objects, featuring traditional crafts such as dubied knitting, crochet, bespoke tailoring, and leather treatment, all reinterpreted in innovative ways.
Most of my designs involve intensive labor, time, and meticulous attention to detail. Currently, I’m working on a fully crocheted top, collaborating closely with a group of skilled crochet artisans in China. Each top uses recycled or deadstock wool-based yarn, creating only one piece for each type of yarn. Due to the nature of this project, it’s never intended for mass production or fast fashion. Instead, it feels more like an ongoing creative dialogue- a long-term partnership with these knitters, we discuss and share while we make.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
While my work features bold choices of shapes and color, I’m actually quite introverted and recharge by spending a lot of quiet time alone.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xuy953/
