Lauren Chan

Being the first out lesbian model on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2025 wasn’t necessarily on Lauren Chan’s vision board. But spreading queer joy and empowering others like herself, long-excluded from fashion culture, was. Today, this Canadian model’s accomplishments extend beyond the runway into the ranks of recognized clothiers as the founder of Henning, a workwear line catering to people above size 12. “All of my work is rooted in representation for marginalized communities, especially those that make up my own identity,” Chan says. “Because I’m not a thin, straight, white woman, I take pride in breaking down the beauty ideal and expanding the idea of how women are allowed to exist in our culture—whether that’s been with inclusive fashion content while editing at Glamour, plus-size clothing for Henning, Pride merch for Joe Fresh, or as the first [out] lesbian model on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.” Among her most prized possessions? The L Word: A Photographic Journal signed by Jennifer Beals. “When I was coming out, I binged The L Word, start to finish,” she shares. “After years of mainstream rom-coms missing the mark, I felt my identity finally click into place while watching Ilene Chaiken’s lesbian Los Angeles.” Formerly one of Toronto’s best-dressed, the current Bed-Stuy resident is excited for Run-A-Muck, a joint media venture between Ilene Chaiken, Jennifer Beals, and Pam Drucker Mann. “Because lesbian representation can change lives—ahem, speaking from experience.” –MH