Why I Created La Belle Élégance™: A Return to True Elegance

When I was a teenager, I fell in love with the world of high fashion. Watching Gossip Girl, I was captivated by the elegance of every look—the effortless glamour, the quiet confidence, the way style could transform a woman into the most unforgettable version of herself. Around the same time, legendary fashion houses were unveiling collections that felt like magic—crafted with imagination, emotion, and intention.

In those early years, I made a quiet vow to myself: to seek out only those pieces that were truly beautiful and made me feel truly extraordinary.

But somewhere along the way, that magic began to fade.

As I searched for that feeling again, I found fewer and fewer designs that truly spoke to me. The market became saturated with trends chasing speed over soul—dresses and handbags lost their allure, offering nothing new or inspired. Chic creativity vanished, and true elegance was replaced by designs that robbed a woman of the confidence and presence that make her unforgettable.

So I made a new promise.

If I could no longer find pieces that stirred my heart, I would create them. I would craft gowns that honor the timeless essence of elegance—designed not only to be seen, but to be felt. Pieces that celebrate a woman’s strength, grace, and quiet power.

La Belle Élégance™ was born from that devotion—to restore what once was, reimagine what can be, and elevate it into something both modern and timeless.

With grace,

Candice Wu

Founder & Creative Director

La Belle Élégance™