Monica Yan, the founder of CQ London, is making waves with her innovative fabric jewellery series, “Between People,” as it gains international attention. This series, which draws inspiration from the traditional Pankou craft, delves into the impact of human relationships on both our physical forms and our imaginations. Yan, known for her cross-cultural expertise, is now bringing this work to both academic and public platforms, stretching from London to Edinburgh.
In April 2026, Monica Yan was invited to Queen Mary University of London to give a guest lecture. Her presentation focused on contemporary innovations in Chinese intangible cultural heritage, marking a notable moment as this was one of the first instances of such a practice being introduced in a Western academic setting as a methodology rather than mere cultural content. Following this, her series “Between People” will be showcased at the FIVE LEAF Conference on Law and Aesthetics, happening from June 1 to June 2, 2026, at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS) at the same university. This conference is a gathering of scholars and practitioners from several regions including the UK, Europe, North America, Australia, and Scandinavia, covering diverse fields like fashion, film, performing arts, and architecture.
The inclusion of “Between People” in the conference’s official catalogue and the potential for publication through Routledge is a first for Yan’s work in an academic context, offering a reflective examination of themes like intimacy and aesthetics beyond standardization. This move represents a departure from a traditional cultural display, engaging audiences with thought-provoking questions about these themes.
Moving beyond academia, Monica Yan will also play a pivotal role at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2026. She will curate the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) section within Chinese Culture Week, an initiative powered by CQ London. As the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe provides a global platform where Chinese intangible heritage can be presented within a public arts context, fostering dialogue with contemporary practices from around the globe.
With over a decade of experience bridging Chinese and Western cultural landscapes, Monica Yan has built a career at the crossroads of high-end industries across finance, law, and culture. Holding two master’s degrees from University College London and the University of Westminster, she has transitioned her extensive network toward cultural endeavors. Since 2016, her work has focused on integrating Chinese aesthetics into Western life, not as a spectacle but as a shared emotional experience. Her brand, CQ London, has made notable appearances at London Fashion Week and London Craft Week, highlighting its unique position as the only Chinese qipao brand to feature across these prominent events.
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