ABOUT US
POND Los Angeles is a AAPI female-owned design studio creating refined essentials with purpose. Made in small batches with women-led partners, our pieces balance form, function, and quiet luxury.
Hi, I'm Daphne Chen
I design with one purpose: to make life feel lighter
POND was created for the woman who moves through many roles in a day. From early meetings to long-haul flights, from quiet moments to constant motion, each piece is designed to meet you where you are and carry you forward with ease.
Before launching POND, I spent over a decade designing for fashion houses like Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani. There I developed an obsessive eye for detail and a deep respect for timeless craftsmanship. I learned how the smallest choices can shape how something feels and functions.
The idea for POND came mid-flight between Tokyo and Hong Kong, somewhere high above the clouds. I was living out of my bag and needed something that could shape itself around the rhythm of my life. I wanted function without compromise and elegance without excess.
What I could not find, I designed. The result is a collection of refined essentials made in Los Angeles, created to simplify your day and support your life beautifully.
MY DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
DESIGNED WITH INTENTION
I began my career in fashion in 2006 as a denim designer, working with some of the industry's most iconic brands. Places where precision, fit, and craftsmanship weren’t just expected, they were non-negotiable. It was there that I developed a deep appreciation for designing pieces that are both beautiful and built to last.
Like denim, I believe a great design should move with you. That philosophy inspired me to create handbags that are as functional as they are refined, pieces that support real life without sacrificing style.
My work has taken me from Los Angeles to New York, Shanghai to Tokyo, shaping not only my aesthetic but my values: purposeful design, global perspective, and an unwavering commitment to quality.Each piece is made to move with you, keep you organized, and free you to focus on what really matters.
Pictured: Seated on the right during a Ralph Lauren Blue Label denim fitting, 2010. Taken with a digital camera.
MY DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
DESIGNED WITH INTENTION
Everything I create begins with a 100% original hand-sketched design. I often spend months, sometimes up to a year designing, testing, and refining every detail until it feels just right.
I produce in small, handmade batches to ensure each piece stays true to my original vision. It’s my way of protecting both the integrity of the design and the quality you deserve.
I’m deeply committed to offering ethically made, beautifully crafted essentials blending thoughtful design with expert craftsmanship and precision. Each piece is made to move with you, keep you organized, and free you to focus on what really matters.
Where Purpose Took Shape
This began as a quiet, personal pursuit. A designer’s need to create with intention, clarity, and purpose. After spending nearly two decades honing my craft in the fashion industry, I came to value the discipline of designing slowly and precisely. Every line drawn, every material chosen, is part of a deliberate process to create something that holds meaning beyond trend or season.
From the early days to now, my vision has remained uncompromised. I produce in small, considered runs, guided by the principles of slow fashion and quiet refinement, designing for those who understand that true luxury lies in the details.
always forward
What i'm working on next
I'm currently designing on something truly magical. Find out more here
