About
Lauren Chan is a Canadian model, fashion editor, and entrepreneur who has made size inclusion her life’s mission. She started as a plus-size runway and editorial model, became a fashion news editor at Glamour, founded the work-wear label Henning, and then returned to modeling—appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and, in 2025, becoming the magazine’s first out lesbian to land a solo cover. Her career sits at the crossroads of fashion, media, and advocacy, and she regularly uses her platforms to push for clothing that fits more bodies, better mental-health support in modeling, and broader LGBTQ+ visibility.
Chan’s influence extends beyond glossy pages. In 2018 she earned the ASME Next Award for young journalists, and in 2023 her brand Henning was acquired by Universal Standard—an exit hailed as a milestone for independent size-inclusive labels. Whether she’s fronting high-profile campaigns or speaking at industry panels, Chan keeps the focus on realistic representation and the idea that fashion should serve everyone.
Before Fame
Born in Brantford, Ontario, to a Chinese father and Armenian mother, Lauren grew up balancing athletics and creativity. She headed to the University of Western Ontario on a basketball path, but a ruptured appendix sidelined her season and sparked a new obsession: fashion magazines. After graduating in 2012 with a sociology degree, she moved to New York City and signed with Ford Models.
Modeling alone didn’t feel sustainable, so she leaned into writing. By age 25, Chan was an associate editor at Glamour and soon steered its “Style Your Size” vertical, highlighting brands that carried extended sizing. Those early newsroom years sharpened her eye for gaps in the market—gaps she would later fill with her own label.
Trivia
- Sports Illustrated firsts: Chan debuted in the 2023 Swimsuit Issue as its first queer plus-size rookie, then graced the 2025 cover in a forest-green bikini, marking both a size- and sexuality-inclusive milestone for the franchise.
- Reality-TV detour: Between shoots, she competed on The Traitors Canada—proving that strategic gameplay can be as thrilling as a runway strut.
- Award magnets: Beyond her ASME honor, she’s been a Chatelaine Woman of the Year, a CAFA Model of the Year, and a regular on “most influential” Canadian lists.
- Activism roots: Chan serves as an ambassador for the National Eating Disorders Association and sits on Model Alliance’s advisory board, channeling lived experience into policy change.
- Hidden talents: A lifelong thrifter, she can spot vintage designer pieces at lightning speed and often styles her own red-carpet looks with second-hand finds.
Family Life
Although public about her career, Chan keeps family details gentle: she often credits her parents’ multicultural background for her flexible worldview and loves visiting Ontario to recharge.
In February 2023 she announced her divorce, later sharing her journey of self-discovery and coming out as lesbian. By early 2024 she confirmed a relationship with film director Hayley Kosan, and Page Six reported their engagement in 2025—a personal chapter that runs parallel to her professional rise and reinforces her message that authenticity wins.
Associated With
- Glamour magazine: Chan cut her editorial teeth here, using its pages and digital platforms to champion size diversity long before it was trending>
- Universal Standard: After acquiring Henning in 2023, the size-inclusive giant brought Chan on as head of brand partnerships, amplifying her reach from startup founder to corporate changemaker.
- Sports Illustrated: Her rookie spread and 2025 cover cemented her status as a mainstream face of body positivity and LGBTQ+ pride.
- Lane Bryant & broadcast outlets: Earlier collaborations—like co-designing capsule lines and appearing on Good Morning America—helped broadcast her message to everyday shoppers.
