Founded by Chinese-American Co-Founders Ophelia Chen and Abi Lierheimer, BOBBLEHAUS is a a combination of their heritage with suiting and streetwear.

From multicultural to multisensory, BOBBLEHAUS ’s mission is to build the community the founder’s craved for at a younger age and still crave now. Drawing inspiration from New York and Shanghai BOBBLEHAUS partners and collaborates with multidisciplinary design studios, musicians, artists, and philanthropists to create a community-based experience rooted in the new generation’s spirit.

BOBBLEHAUS ENCOURAGES THE WORLD TO SEE THE BEAUTY IN ITS OPPOSITES, CREATING A SPACE FOR UNITY.
BOBBLEHAUS BRIDGES EAST + WEST YOUTH CULTURE. WE ARE A NEW YORK DESIGNED, SHANGHAI-MADE, GENDERLESS BRAND, DEDICATED TO EXPRESSING OUR INNER ABSURDITIES THROUGH ELEVATED + ETHICAL STREETWEAR. BOBBLEBLOGS MAKE SPACE FOR OUR VOICE + LIFESTYLE, WITH WRITERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. EVERYTHING IS WRITTEN BY, AND FOR, OUR COMMUNITY; FROM AMSTERDAM TO LONDON, FROM JAKARTA TO NEW YORK, AND FROM TAIPER TO SINGAPORE.

– Ophelia Chen and Abi Lierheimer, CO-FOUNDERS of BOBBLEHAUS

A CHAT WITH ABI LIERHEIMER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF BOBBLEHAUS

How did your passion for design start and how your creative process work?

My passion for design was ultimately cultivated and developed in college. I started out as a mathematics and studio arts double major at a traditional liberal arts college, before transferring to art school. My creative process always starts from what I have idealized, and still idealize in the details of clothing itself. I ask myself, “how can this detail, this cut, ultimately, this piece of clothing improve someone’s life?”

How fashion nowadays helps and motivate you to become a fashion designer?

The fashion industry itself didn’t motivate me to become a fashion designer. I wanted to design because I felt that, as a generally introverted person, this form of art was the best way for me to “speak up”. Through design, I feel I’ve found my voice. 

Can you tell us a little bit about your references for the last collection?

For Bobblehaus’ debut collection, we took reference from highly technical wear and skate-wear. It can be categorized as streetwear, but I think it’s more thoughtful than that. We used fabrics such as recycled cotton, and TENCEL – which is 100% biodegradable. We like the concepts of atypical male and female stereotypes, such as soft masculinity. In the fashion industry, we’ve only just begun to see the shifting of stereotypes. We like softening the traditional male stereotypes in streetwear, and encouraging emotional intelligence among all our consumers. 

Do you see yourself as an example for the new generation in fashion industry?

Yes.

How fashion competitions can change the business industry? Will you apply at some in the future?

Fashion competitions have the potential to completely change someone’s existing business, or help them launch their business. We may consider fashion competitions at some point, but for now, we’re solely focused on building our community through the clothing, and through our BOBBLEBLOGS and media. 

How do you want people to feel when they wear your clothes?

I want people to feel comfortable, put together, colorful, and like they can have fun!

What do you think it’s your best-selling piece from your last collection?

Our best- selling piece from the SS20 collection was BH Checker Print Ripstop Nylon Camp Collar Shirt.

What do you think about the opportunity of selling your products on online platforms, you think it might be a good showcase for your work and your future?

I definitely think that established online retailers are helpful for emerging brands, because they reach a consumer that we, as a start-up, might not have the capacity to target.

What do young designers need right now from fashion industry to grow up?

I think that young designers want to see that brands are run by real people. And hopefully those people have every intention to leave them with a more positive, and uplifting industry, that they feel proud to join, and proud to uphold.