Monica Yan, the founder of CQ London, is set to bring her innovative fabric jewellery series, “Between People,” to a wider audience as it gains international attention. This series, which infuses traditional Pankou craft, delves into the impact of human relationships on both physical and imaginative realms. As a cross-cultural practitioner, Yan’s work bridges Chinese intangible cultural heritage with contemporary Western contexts.
In April 2026, Monica Yan was invited to speak at Queen Mary University of London. Her lecture focused on contemporary innovation within Chinese intangible cultural heritage, marking a significant moment as this methodology was introduced to a Western university setting not merely as content but as an academic approach. Following this, her series “Between People” will be showcased at the FIVE LEAF Conference on Law and Aesthetics, scheduled for 1-2 June 2026, at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies at the same university. This prestigious conference convenes experts from a variety of artistic and cultural disciplines, providing an academic platform for Yan’s work.
The inclusion of “Between People” in the conference’s official catalogue and the potential for publication through Routledge signifies a new academic recognition of her work. It represents a shift from being perceived as a cultural display to being acknowledged as a thoughtful exploration of intimacy, aesthetics, and the challenges of standardization in cultural expressions.
Looking ahead to August 2026, Monica Yan will take on the role of curator for the Intangible Cultural Heritage section during Chinese Culture Week at the renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe. This event is one of the largest arts festivals globally, and the inclusion of a dedicated ICH segment highlights a transformative moment. It positions Chinese intangible heritage within a global arts dialogue, rather than merely as an isolated exhibition, reflecting a dynamic exchange with contemporary global practices.
Monica Yan’s career spans over a decade, characterized by her efforts to fuse Chinese and Western cultural contexts. With two master’s degrees from University College London and the University of Westminster, she initially worked at the intersection of European and Asian high-end sectors. Her transition to cultural practice was marked by a focus on integrating Chinese aesthetics into Western life as a shared emotional experience rather than a spectacle. Her brand, CQ London, has gained recognition by featuring at London Fashion Week in 2024 and 2025, and at London Craft Week in 2026, being the sole Chinese qipao brand to do so across these prestigious platforms.
Legal Disclaimer: The information contained in this article has been provided by independent third-party contributors, clients, or content partners. We do not independently verify the accuracy, completeness, legality, ownership, licensing, or reliability of submitted content, including text, images, videos, trademarks, or other media materials. The submitting party is solely responsible for ensuring that all content, including images and media assets, complies with applicable copyright, trademark, licensing, and intellectual property laws. We disclaim liability for any unauthorized use of copyrighted or proprietary materials by third parties. If you believe that any content published on this platform infringes your intellectual property rights, kindly contact the author above for prompt review and resolution.