A third-culture kid raised by a family of artists and art dealers, New Zealand-bred designer Claudia Li fell in love with fashion and painting at a young age. Following her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Li moved to London to pursue her interest in fashion design at Central Saint Martins, and eventually to New York for an MFA in Fashion Design and Society at Parsons School of Design. Before launching her eponymous label in 2015, Li took on coveted design roles under highly respected designers: Brandon Maxwell for Haus of Gaga, and, then, British designer J.W. Anderson. Known for her architectural silhouettes and unique play of prints, Li’s background in fine arts is visible in her collections, which have earned accolades for their craftsmanship, wearability, and sense of artistry. Li was the winner of the FGI Rising Star Award and a U.S. finalist for The International Woolmark Prize. In 2017, she was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 Art and Style honoree. Currently based in New York, Li creates her current collections with the help of her team in the Garment District.
Claudia Li is a CFDA Member since 2021.