Beyond the Binary: How Fashion Designer Shao Yang is Breaking Gender Barriers in Tailoring

Are you ready to step into a world where style is personal, bold, and non-binary? In this episode, I chat with Shao Yang, the visionary behind Shao New York, a bespoke suiting brand that’s pushing the boundaries of what tailored clothing can be. From creating custom pieces for both men and women to blending tailoring with streetwear, Shao is redefining how we think about fashion and identity. We discuss her journey, the challenges she’s overcome in a male-dominated industry, and how she crafts pieces that are as unique as the people who wear them. If you’re ready to transform the way you look and feel, or simply want to hear more about Shao’s innovative approach to fashion, this episode is for you. Join us as we talk about the future of fashion and how you can start your own journey of self-expression through custom tailoring. “A custom suit isn't really particularly a man's garment or a woman's garment. It is just a piece of garment that you can use to tell your own story.” ~ Shao Yang In this Episode: 00:00 Meet Shao Yang 01:56 Shao’s vision behind tailoring 04:20 Breaking gender norms in fashion 07:00 The fusion of tailoring and streetwear 11:20 Client transformations and personal stories 16:48 The custom tailoring process 22:35 The flexibility of custom tailoring vs off-the-rack fashion 24:45 The unique vision behind Shao's ready-to-wear brand 26:44 Inspiration behind Shao’s latest collection 30:15 Upcoming projects and future plans for Shao New York About Sha