Chinese fashion designer Ou Ma wants her creations to become heirlooms of the future. This is her story and how she weaves tradition and modernity in iconic bridal and evening gowns.
Beijing-born, Canada-based designer Ou Ma reimagines romanticism through her namesake bridal and eveningwear label OUMA. Founded in 2017, when Ma relocated from New York to Vancouver, the brand exists at the convergence of modernity and timeless elegance.
Her designs, informed by her Chinese heritage, her education at one of New York’s top schools, and her experience at U.S. heritage brands, merge craftsmanship, cultural nuance, and storytelling. To name a few, Korean superstar Jisoo, Bling Empire’s producer Christine Chiu and South African actor Debs Howard have sported creations by OUMA on magazine covers and major red carpets, including the Gold Gala and the Cannes Film Festival.
Celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Ou Ma chatted with No Manners about her brand’s history, channeling her heritage through bridal couture, and how AAPI talent is reshaping the fashion industry.
OUMA’s History
Ou Ma’s journey in the fashion industry
Before making her headway in North America, Ou Ma was raised in Beijing by her grandparents—a strong grandmother and creative grandfather, as she describes them. This upbringing ignited her interest in the arts and creative pursuits. Ma then moved to New York, where she studied at the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). Upon completing her education, she worked at American labels such as Calvin Klein’s Made-To-Measure Atelier and Ralph Lauren Women’s Collection. The designer credits these work experiences for teaching her “the rigor and refinement of design.”
But what inspired her to establish her own brand?
“It wasn’t until friends began asking me to make their wedding dresses that I felt the emotional depth of bridal,” Ma tells No Manners. “After moving to Vancouver and getting married myself, I knew it was time to build something of my own—something deeply personal, artful, and rooted in storytelling. That’s how OUMA was born: a bridal brand that honors craftsmanship, individuality, and romance with quiet strength.”
OUMA’s Latest Collection
Echo
In April 2025, OUMA unveiled its Spring 2026 collection. Titled “Echo,” the bridal lineup found musing on the gentleness and power of the wind. The collection combined clean silhouettes, delicate fabrics and avant-garde details in gowns that channeled the freedom and movement of wind. The lookbook ultimately consisted of silk and georgette dresses that embodied “quiet strength, elegance, and romance.”
Behind Echo’s creative process
“Each design reflects the essence of a bride’s journey, capturing moments that echo forever in memory. With intricate details, ethereal silhouettes, and empowering artistry, this collection invites brides to embrace their unique beauty,” Ma shares. “Some designs began with a vintage fabric swatch or a line from an old diary. Others came to life through draping directly on the form, allowing intuition to guide my hands. There’s always a tension I love to explore between strength and fragility, old-world romance and modern ease. I want every bride to feel like the gown was made just for her, like a part of her story already lived in it.”
OUMA’s Influences
Early cultural connection
While Ma’s designs reflect the diversity of her upbringing and professional experience, she feels particularly proud to spotlight her heritage through her work. As she explains, growing up in Beijing, she always felt deeply influenced by the beauty of traditional Chinese art. The designer remembers sitting for hours watching her grandfather paint, feeling mesmerized by the brushstrokes and symbolism. That early connection to culture has remained at the core of her work.
How does Ou Ma feel about channeling her heritage through OUMA?
“Through OUMA, I’ve found a way to express those roots in a modern, wearable form. Whether it’s a subtle hand-painted detail, a silhouette inspired by historical dress, or a nod to ancient symbolism, I love weaving my background into each piece,” the designer says. “It feels meaningful to bring something so personal into the bridal space—and to share that part of my story with brides around the world.”
OUMA’s Celebrity Clients
Gold Gala with Christine Chiu
OUMA’s designs have adorned iconic Asian stars, including BLACKPINK’s Jisoo and Hong Kong-Canadian reporter Elaine Lui, who took one of Ma’s dresses to the Oscars’ red carpet. However, the designer’s most recent AAPI celebrity moment was dressing Bling Empire star Christine Chiu for the Gold Gala. OUMA crafted a gorgeous gown infused with cultural legacy and nods to the designer’s Chinese heritage for Chiu’s red carpet appearance. The golden dress featured a structured bodice decorated with hand-painted strokes, embroidery and a 3D plum blossom branch that climbed from the waist to the neckline. In the skirt, micro pintucks recreated the texture of silk scrolls.
What was the inspiration behind the dress?
“When I came across the Qing Dynasty painting of the camellia and plum blossom—two flowers that bloom against the cold—I immediately thought of [Christine],” says Ma. “Translating that imagery into a living, breathing garment felt like painting in motion. This collaboration allowed me to weave together art, culture, and personal story in the most intimate way.”
What was the experience like?
“We were so honored to dress Christine Chiu for the Gold Gala—an event that celebrates AAPI excellence,” the designer tells No Manners. “She’s been a trailblazer in amplifying AAPI voices, and collaborating with her was both meaningful and creatively fulfilling. Each piece we create tells a story, and it felt especially powerful to craft something that symbolized both heritage and modern elegance.
OUMA’s Present and Future
On AAPI talent taking the spotlight
In recent years, a new generation of AAPI creatives has stepped into the international fashion scene, bringing attention to Asian talent, heritage and stories. Ma belongs to the group making headlines with novel takes on design and storytelling. As she tells No Manners, being part of a generation reshaping global fashion is “incredibly humbling and empowering.”
“For a long time, our stories and perspectives weren’t widely seen or celebrated—so to witness this shift, where craftsmanship rooted in our heritage is finally in the spotlight, feels deeply personal,” Ma adds. “I’m proud to contribute to this movement not just through design, but by offering a perspective shaped by my upbringing, my culture, and my experiences as an immigrant.”
How would she like people to regard OUMA in the future?
“I’d love for OUMA to be seen as the next iconic bridal house—like the next Vera Wang, but with a voice rooted in modern romanticism, sustainability, and cultural storytelling,” Ma states. “I want our designs to feel like heirlooms of the future: deeply personal, artfully crafted, and unforgettable. When people think of OUMA, I hope they think of emotional beauty and innovation, where every gown tells a story and every bride feels one of a kind.”
