Lauren Chan is a Canadian model, fashion editor, entrepreneur, television personality, and advocate for size inclusion and LGBTQ+ representation.
From working as a magazine editor to launching her own fashion brand and making history with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, she has built a career that reaches far beyond modeling.
Who is Lauren Chan?
Lauren Chan is a Canadian model, editor, entrepreneur, television host, and diversity advocate.
She is widely known for challenging beauty standards and promoting greater representation for plus-size women and the LGBTQ+ community in fashion.
Over the years, she has worked in several fields, including fashion journalism, modeling, television, public speaking, and business.
Lauren first gained recognition after joining Ford Models as a plus-size model while also building a career as a fashion writer.
She later became a fashion editor at Glamour, where she led projects focused on size-inclusive fashion and helped bring greater attention to body diversity.
In 2019, she founded Henning, a luxury clothing brand created for women who wear larger sizes.
The company quickly earned praise from leading fashion publications before being acquired by Universal Standard in 2023.
Lauren has also appeared on television programs such as The Traitors Canada, Canada’s Drag Race, and Project Runway Canada.
Her work as a model, entrepreneur, and advocate has made her a leading voice for diversity and inclusion in Canada’s fashion industry.
Early Life of Lauren Chan
Lauren Chan was born on August 9, 1990, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.
She grew up in a multicultural family with a Chinese father and an Armenian mother, giving her a diverse cultural background that later influenced her views on identity and representation.
During childhood, Lauren loved sports and dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player.
She spent many years playing basketball and continued the sport throughout high school with hopes of competing at a higher level.
While studying at university, Lauren’s plans changed after a ruptured appendix ended her hopes of pursuing basketball.
During her recovery, she discovered a passion for fashion, a turning point that eventually led her to build a successful career as a model, editor, and entrepreneur.
That experience eventually inspired her to explore opportunities beyond sports.
After completing her studies, Lauren moved to New York City to pursue careers in both modeling and fashion journalism.
Those early experiences helped shape the career that would later make her one of the most recognizable advocates for diversity and body inclusion in fashion.
Lauren Chan Age
Lauren Chan is 35 years old as of 2026 because she was born on August 9, 1990. According to her birthday, she falls under the Leo zodiac sign.
Over the years, she has built a successful career across modeling, fashion, television, and business while becoming an influential voice for inclusion and representation.
What is Lauren Chan Gender?
Lauren Chan is female.
She identifies as a woman and has openly spoken about her experiences as a lesbian while advocating for greater LGBTQ+ representation in fashion, media, and entertainment.
Lauren Chan Ethnicity
Lauren Chan comes from a multicultural family. She is of Chinese and Armenian descent, with a Chinese father and an Armenian mother.
She has often spoken about growing up with a mixed cultural background and how those experiences shaped her understanding of identity, diversity, and representation.
Lauren Chan Education
Lauren Chan completed her early education in Ontario before attending the University of Western Ontario (now Western University).
She originally enrolled with plans to continue playing basketball at the university level, but her goals changed after a serious health setback. Lauren graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.
During her time at university, she developed a strong interest in fashion, media, and social issues, which later shaped both her editorial work and business career.
Her education also helped her understand topics related to identity, diversity, and representation, themes that have remained central throughout her professional journey.
Moving to New York and Starting a Career (2012–2014)
After graduating from university in 2012, Lauren Chan moved to New York City to pursue a career in fashion.
One of her first opportunities came after signing with Ford Models as a plus-size model.
At first, modeling helped her secure a work visa, but it soon became an important part of her career.
During the same period, she also worked as a freelance fashion writer, contributing to publications such as Vogue, Interview, and The New York Times T Magazine.
Balancing modeling with writing gave her valuable experience and introduced her to different sides of the fashion industry.
Building a Reputation at Glamour (2015–2018)
In 2015, Lauren joined Glamour magazine as a fashion writer and later became Fashion Features Editor.
She covered fashion trends, interviewed designers, and managed editorial projects while focusing on size-inclusive fashion.
She also created the Style Your Size column and helped design the Glamour x Lane Bryant clothing collection.
During this period, Lauren also spoke at fashion events and appeared on television shows like Good Morning America and The TODAY Show.
She used these opportunities to promote body diversity and encourage greater inclusion in the fashion industry.
Her work helped bring greater attention to the need for more inclusive fashion.
Launching Henning and Expanding Her Career (2018–2023)
After struggling to find professional clothing in extended sizes, Lauren decided to create a solution herself.
In 2019, she launched Henning, a luxury fashion brand designed for women wearing sizes 12 and above.
The brand focused on high-quality workwear and modern designs while promoting ethical production.
Henning received praise from major fashion publications, including Vogue, Forbes, and Business of Fashion.
In 2023, the company was acquired by Universal Standard, marking a major achievement in her entrepreneurial journey.
Following the acquisition, Lauren worked with Universal Standard before returning her full attention to modeling, television, and content creation.
Modeling, Television, and Advocacy (2023–Present)
Lauren’s career reached new heights in 2023 when she appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue as the publication’s first openly queer plus-size rookie.
Two years later, she made history again by becoming the first openly lesbian model to appear solo on the magazine’s cover.
The milestone was widely celebrated for improving LGBTQ+ representation in the fashion industry and received significant international media coverage.
In addition to modeling, Lauren built a television career by competing on The Traitors Canada and appearing as a guest judge on Canada’s Drag Race and Project Runway Canada.
She also works as a television host and entertainment correspondent, covering major events and celebrity interviews.
Lauren continued modeling for leading designers and partnered with major fashion brands around the world.
At the same time, she used her platform to promote size inclusion, LGBTQ+ visibility, and greater diversity in fashion.
Lauren Chan Partner
Lauren Chan is married to Canadian film director and cinematographer Hayley Kosan.
The couple first met while working on a commercial set in 2019, but their relationship developed over time.
They publicly confirmed their romance in late 2023, announced their engagement in March 2025, and married in October 2025 during an intimate ceremony at New York City Hall.
They later celebrated with family and close friends at a reception in Manhattan and hosted a welcome dinner in Chinatown to honor Lauren’s Chinese heritage.
Hayley has stood by Lauren during many important moments in her career.
She was especially supportive when Lauren made history as the first openly lesbian model to appear solo on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover.
Although the couple occasionally shares special moments on social media, they prefer to keep most of their married life private.
Their relationship has become a positive example of love, authenticity, and LGBTQ+ representation in the fashion and entertainment industries.
Lauren Chan Ex-Husband
Before publicly coming out as a lesbian, Lauren Chan was married to a man. She announced in 2023 that the marriage had ended in divorce but chose not to reveal his identity.
Lauren has explained that the experience became an important part of her personal journey and helped her better understand herself.
She has since focused on living openly and has shared parts of that journey through interviews and public appearances.
Lauren Chan Net Worth
Lauren Chan has an estimated net worth of $2 million as of 2026. She earns money from several professional activities.
Modeling remains one of her main income sources through runway shows, advertising campaigns, fashion editorials, and partnerships with major brands.
She also receives income from television hosting, guest judging, entertainment reporting, and public speaking engagements.
Brand collaborations and sponsored social media content provide another steady source of earnings.
In addition, Lauren benefited from founding and later selling the fashion brand Henning, while consulting projects and creative partnerships continue to add to her overall income.
Lauren Chan Height and Weight
Lauren Chan stands approximately 5 feet 10 inches, which is equal to 178 centimeters or 1.78 meters tall and weighs around 198 pounds, which is equal to 90 kilograms.
She has a confident presence that has made her one of the most recognizable plus-size models in the fashion industry.
As a professional model, she maintains a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, balanced eating habits, and an active schedule.
She has often spoken about embracing her body instead of trying to meet unrealistic expectations.
Her confidence and authenticity have inspired many people, especially those who rarely saw themselves represented in mainstream fashion.
Through her work, Lauren continues to show that beauty comes in different shapes and sizes, helping redefine modern standards within the fashion industry.
Lauren Chan Weight Loss
Lauren Chan has not publicly spoken about following a specific weight-loss journey or transformation.
Instead, she has consistently promoted body acceptance and encouraged people to focus on health rather than appearance.
Throughout her career, she has challenged traditional beauty standards by advocating for greater size inclusion in fashion and encouraging confidence at every body size.
Her message has always centered on self-acceptance instead of trying to fit unrealistic expectations.
Social Media Presence
Lauren Chan has built a strong presence across social media, where she shares updates about modeling projects, television appearances, fashion campaigns, and everyday life.
She also uses her platforms to promote body positivity, LGBTQ+ visibility, and diversity while giving followers a behind-the-scenes look at her work.
She is active on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), where she posts fashion content, travel moments, advocacy work, and personal milestones.
Her social media has become an important part of her career, allowing her to connect with audiences while supporting brands, creative projects, and charitable causes.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, Lauren Chan has built a career by combining creativity, business, and advocacy in a way that has inspired many people around the world.
From fashion editing to building a successful clothing brand and making history as a model, Lauren has achieved success in many fields.
Along the way, she has helped create more opportunities for diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry.
Her journey shows that success often comes from believing in your vision and having the courage to create change when something is missing.
Which part of Lauren Chan’s journey inspired you the most? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
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