We were lucky to catch up with Haixi Ren recently and have shared our conversation below.

Haixi, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Yes, I have been fortunate to earn a full-time living from my creative work. Before launching my own brand, I worked as a designer for various fashion houses in New York City. This experience was invaluable, as it allowed me to understand the intricacies of the industry, including operations and business management.

My funding comes primarily from the profits generated by made-to-measure orders and the savings I accumulated while working as a consultant and designer for major brands in New York. Since my designs and company operations require minimal costs, I have been able to maintain a lean business model. Additionally, I benefit from numerous sponsorships and collaboration projects each year. The advance payments from celebrities and private clients’ orders also ensure a healthy cash flow for my brand.

When I first started, I focused on securing my first high-profile client, participating in significant fashion shows, and receiving media coverage. Each of these steps helped to build credibility and attract more clients. Overall, the journey has been challenging but rewarding, and I am grateful for the experiences and opportunities that have shaped my career.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those who may not have read about me before, I am Haixi Ren, the founder and creative force behind REN HAIXI, a luxury fashion brand that embodies sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity. I started REN HAIXI in 2020 to revolutionize garment creation using zero-waste design and development strategies. My brand utilizes a unique made-to-measure business model and zero-waste textile engineering techniques to transform discarded fabric scraps into couture pieces. Drawing inspiration from abstract expressionism, I view fashion as a form of artistic expression, with the human body serving as a 3D canvas. I use signature textiles that can be “painted” onto the body, coupled with a unique embroidery technique, to create sensual and intellectual silhouettes that empower self-expression.

Before launching my brand, I worked as a designer for several major fashion houses in New York City, where I honed my skills and gained insights into the industry’s operations and business aspects. However, I became increasingly frustrated with the pervasive textile waste problem. Traditional cut-and-sew methods produce fabric scraps as a byproduct, and many samples and canceled styles ultimately end up in landfills. Driven by a strong determination to solve these systemic problems, I founded REN HAIXI. My mission is not only to create beautiful products but also to provide a sustainable business model. Growing up in China, I learned to cherish and be grateful for the materials we have, a virtue deeply rooted in my Asian heritage. Finding beauty in discarded materials is poetic to me, and I challenge myself to create wonders using “waste.”

My educational journey includes graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and Parsons School of Design. Since founding REN HAIXI, I have had the opportunity to work with A-list celebrities and their stylists, creating bespoke, made-to-measure looks for individual clients. REN HAIXI has rapidly gained prominence, attracting media attention from major publications like VOGUE, Harper’s Bazaar, Forbes, and Elle, and has been embraced by celebrities including Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Billie Eilish, Cardi B, and Shakira.

I am most proud of my brand’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. REN HAIXI stands at the forefront of luxury fashion, continually pushing boundaries with its dedication to zero-waste practices and innovative design. I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that my work is not just about creating beautiful garments, but about making a meaningful impact on the fashion industry and promoting a sustainable future.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building my audience on social media has been an organic and evolving journey. It started with collaborating with local artists and sharing each other’s work. This helped me tap into different networks and reach people who might not have discovered my brand otherwise. You never know who will see your posts, so it’s important to put yourself out there.

Authenticity is key. Sharing my process, from initial sketches to the finished product, allowed my audience to connect with my work on a deeper level. Once I found a style that resonated with people, I explored it extensively and kept developing that idea. However, when I noticed that a previously successful concept was no longer engaging my audience, I didn’t get discouraged. Instead, I took a step back from social media to reconnect with my core values and do some research. Analyzing my style and building new ideas helped me gain more traction.

It’s important to remember that sometimes new ideas might not get much attention initially. Don’t be discouraged; return to your comfort zone if needed. As an artist, constant evolution is necessary. If you truly believe in a project, keep posting about it. It takes time for people to remember your work and start appreciating it. Simultaneously, learn to let go of ideas that aren’t working. Creative projects are like diaries—they capture moments in time but aren’t definitive statements.

For those just starting to build their social media presence, my advice is to collaborate, be authentic, and continuously develop your ideas. Stay adaptable and keep evolving, and don’t be afraid to let go and move on when necessary.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One major lesson I had to unlearn was the traditional way of building a fashion brand, both creatively and business-wise. Creatively, I had to move away from the conventional cut-and-sew methods and develop my own textile techniques. I focused on fast turnarounds, tailoring to individual needs, and implementing zero-waste practices.

Business-wise, it became clear that fashion designers need to understand their opportunities in a saturated market and identify gaps where they can be profitable. The traditional route we were taught involved creating highly creative pieces to attract attention and then diluting those ideas into ready-to-wear collections. While a few brands have found success this way, many struggle to convert social media following and press into profit.

From the inception of REN HAIXI, I understood who my customer was and did not let press and media influence my business agenda. I identified a market gap where musicians need made-to-measure, high-quality pieces with a fast turnaround time for events and performances. They often have little time for fittings but require a perfect fit. Our made-to-measure approach has been very successful in this niche, and by minimizing raw material waste, we maximize profits with minimal expenses. This unlearning process allowed me to build a sustainable and profitable business model that stands out in the fashion industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://renhaixi.com
• Instagram: @renhaixi
• Youtube: renhaixi
• Other: TikTok: renhaixi

Image Credits

PC: Zain Shah, Ivan Alexander, Vogue Runway, Yuxian He