Emerging in the early 2000s as China’s “Queen of Retro,” CherryGun, full name Chen Xingru, has successfully navigated the country’s fast-evolving digital landscape and dynamic pop culture and fashion industries.
An internet sensation, she found success as a fashion blogger, and went on to diversify into fashion styling and now spearheads avant-garde fashion media platform Lofi.
Originally from Guiyang, Guizhou Province, and belonging to the Bouyei ethnic group, one of 55 minorities recognized by the country’s government, Chen says her urban upbringing wasn’t heavily influenced by her ethnicity.
Yet, the rich heritage of her home region, encompassing Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan, did subtly influence her distinctive fashion sense.
In 2009, her popular retro flair led to a regular “My Retro Party” column in the mainland version of Hong Kong fashion title Milk Magazine.
She styled prominent Chinese artists like Fan Xiaoxuan, Zhou Bichang and Zhang Haoran in the 2010s, and masterminded Taiwanese singer Jolin Tsai’s Muse album cover, the avant-garde latex styling of which earned widespread recognition.
Chen launched Lofi, which curates coverage of street culture trends and influences young consumers, in 2016. The digital media has boasted nearly 150,000 followers on Weibo.
Here she talks to Jing Daily about the latest developments in China’s fashion, cultural industries and the importance of local subcultures to the evolution. Continue to read the full article here
