Jandéqene's First Collaboration and Its Silk Heritage

Jandéqene, the New York-based label founded by Chinese-American designer Janice Guo in 2022, is set to launch its first-ever collaboration this Thursday. The partner is fashion content creator Aly Kima, and the result is a two-piece silk set that reimagines one of Kima’s favourite Jandéqene pieces: the Justin Top. The collaboration marks a deliberate step in the brand’s evolution, signalling Guo’s intention to broaden the label’s reach beyond its core ready-to-wear offering and to create more opportunities for customers to experience the products in person.

The capsule collection draws heavily on Kima’s personal style and her references, which include Audrey Hepburn and classic Parisian dressing. The two friends, who knew each other long before they discussed working together, came up with the idea during a casual lunch catch-up. “The idea for this collaboration was actually born during a casual lunch catch-up, making the entire process feel completely organic,” Guo explains. Rather than rushing into a partnership to hit a milestone, Guo waited until she felt the brand’s voice was fully grounded. “We chose not to rush our first collaboration just to hit a milestone; we waited until our brand voice was completely grounded.”

The design translates Kima’s influences into Jandéqene’s existing design language. The Aly Skirt, for instance, features a below-the-knee length that nods to Hepburn’s elegant silhouette, while the campaign was shot in a Parisian townhouse to reinforce the mood. Guo’s signature backless detailing and her focus on silk remain central, ensuring the collaboration feels like a natural extension of the label rather than a departure.

Building a label from scratch

Guo’s path into fashion was unconventional. Entirely self-taught, she started Jandéqene as a creative project, developing her first collection from deadstock fabrics while teaching herself design online and cold-emailing industry professionals. “As a self-taught designer with no industry connections, I built everything from scratch,” she says. “My weekends were filled with endless hours teaching myself online and cold-emailing professionals.”

A turning point came with the Astrid dress. The response to that design helped Guo understand what her customers wanted, prompting a move to New York to develop production. There, she approached sewing houses in the Garment District in person, carrying the dress on a hanger. “Eventually, one sewing house took a chance on me,” she recalls. “Partnering with them transformed our quality and established the high standard of craftsmanship that defines Jandéqene today.”

Silk has been a constant throughout. For Guo, the material is deeply personal, rooted in childhood memories of her grandmother’s home in Beijing. “Silk is deeply personal to me because it connects directly to my ethnicity and heritage,” she says. Her grandmother used to sew her nightgowns on a traditional wheel-pedal sewing machine, instilling a lifelong appreciation for the fabric and its tactile qualities.

Future plans: accessories and physical retail

While the collaboration adds a new dimension to the brand, Guo is already looking ahead. Women’s ready-to-wear will remain the foundation, but she is keen to explore accessories as a natural next step. “While women’s ready-to-wear will always be our core foundation, I’m excited to explore other avenues into new categories, starting with accessories that complement our signature silk pieces,” she says.

Physical retail experiences are another priority. Guo has ambitions for temporary concepts, pop-ups and dedicated showroom spaces in New York, designed to complement the label’s online presence. These are plans rather than confirmed openings, but they reflect a desire to build deeper, face-to-face connections with the community. “We’re hoping to show up through more immersive pop-ups and dedicated showroom spaces in New York,” she says. “Ultimately giving our audience a physical destination to experience the drape, fit, and craftsmanship of our silk is our biggest focus moving forward.”

The Aly Kima collaboration launches on Thursday, marking a new chapter for Jandéqene as it balances heritage, craftsmanship and a growing community.