After years of working on the buying team at Bloomingdale’s, receiving her joint master’s degree and working in private equity, Los Angeles-born, Taipei-raised designer Mina Chen has debuted her first women’s ready-to-wear brand, M’Rhen.
“I think my experience there helped me see the women around me, who are drawn to M’Rhen now, of what they’re missing. They’re drawn to really beautiful, rich brand stories as well as high-quality clothing, fabrics and comfort,” she said of the line’s inception, which she fundraised for and launched direct-to-consumer.
A set from M’Rhen.
Courtesy of M’Rhen
“There was a gap in the market I saw where luxury-designer-level-quality items were offered at a more accessible price-point,” Chen added. Her first collection, “Chapter 1” offers elevated, versatile styles such as the Mariana pleated pant, priced at $725 and available in black Japanese gabardine wool and white Italian wool, and up to $1,425 for her softly sculpted Amalia jacket with knife pleat and slightly flared hem details. Each piece is made in New York City and the brand incorporates fabrications from Japan, Italy and Taiwan.
A dress from M’Rhen.
Courtesy of M’Rhen
Furthermore, the brand was founded to serve as a “reverence for beauty and excellence, and that femininity is not frivolous, but something to be honored,” via high-quality ready-to-wear that reflects timeless design and the beauty of femininity.
Following the first collection launch, Chen said, “We are developing both spring-summer and fall-winter. Because of my background as a buyer, and my experience as a product manager before, I’ve always loved to understand the customer first — getting real feedback and incorporating it as I go. For the next collection, we have 12 styles designed and we’ll grow steadily for fall.”
Olivia Palermo and Mina Chen wearing M’Rhen.
Courtesy of M’Rhen
For the brand’s launch, Chen hosted an intimate dinner at Chateau Royal with cohost Olivia Palermo, who donned the brand’s signature jacket — a style that Chen said was well-loved at the event. Ditto the romantic, venetian red Japanese cotton poplin Camila day dress, as seen on model Bambi Northwood-Blyth in M’Rhen’s first collection look book.
Following the event, Chen traveled to Taipei for private salons with clients; has two trunk shows additionally planned in the capitol in January and February, and is working on future events in New York.