Her parents, who are originally from Taipei and Shanghai, own a consulting textile import-export business, and Chen attributes her early love of fashion to her mother's influence.

[6] Chen attended the Brearley School,[6] then went to college at Johns Hopkins University where she was pre-med, but eventually decided to major in English.

[10] She also became the first head of a commercial arm for the publication, Lucky Shops, serving as both editor-in-chief for the magazine and chief creative officer.

[11] In July 2015, Chen joined Instagram, owned by Facebook, to develop partnerships with fashion brands.

[14] On May 27, 2020, Chen gave remarks at her alma mater Johns Hopkins University's Commencement ceremony.