The Story Behind NIANLAI

A journey woven with nature,
craftsmanship, and time.

Some journeys begin with a dream.

Ours began with a lifelong love for clothing.

In 2009, fashion designer Liu Aixia founded the brands 所喜所悦 and 念来, inspired by a simple yet enduring belief: clothing should never be just something we wear—it should bring comfort, confidence, and a quieter way of living.

Long before establishing her own brand, Liu Aixia graduated from Wuhan Textile Institute, one of China's most respected fashion design schools. She went on to build her career at Yinger Fashion Group, one of China's leading fashion companies, where she served as Designer, Design Manager, and eventually Design Director.

Artisan working with linen fabric in natural light
Linen garments hanging in soft natural light

Years of designing garments, selecting fabrics, developing patterns, and refining every detail taught her that true quality is never accidental. It comes from patience, experience, and respect—for both the craft and the people who wear it.

When NIANLAI was born, it was never meant to follow fast-changing trends. Instead, it was created to celebrate timeless beauty, natural fabrics, and clothing that allows women to feel relaxed, confident, and completely themselves.

For more than fifteen years, Liu Aixia has remained personally involved in every collection—from sketching the first design and selecting linen fabrics to overseeing craftsmanship and quality. She has cared for the brand with the same devotion as one would nurture a child, believing that every garment carries not only workmanship, but also sincerity.

Over the years, NIANLAI has earned the trust and affection of countless women across China for its understated elegance, vintage-inspired aesthetics, and lasting comfort.

Today, that journey continues.

With the same dedication to craftsmanship and the same respect for nature, NIANLAI hopes to share this way of living with people around the world—especially those who seek simplicity, sustainability, and beauty that never goes out of style.

Yet our story is about more than clothing.

Once, life was simple.

There was joy without striving, abundance without anxiety, and days spent among flowers, birds, rivers, and trees. Time was not something to count—it simply flowed, quietly and beautifully.

As life grew busier, we slowly drifted away from that quiet beginning. We exchanged time for responsibility, peace for productivity, and often forgot to leave space for ourselves.

But deep within us remains the memory of gentler days.

Perhaps we are still the women from the ancient poems—
walking through vineyards,
resting beneath apple trees,
gathering lilies in the fields,
gentle as doves,
radiant as roses,
free as young deer,
loved, and learning once again to love ourselves.

That is the life we hope to remember.
A life where the pace is slower.
Where beauty is honest.
Where nature is cherished.
Where every garment becomes a quiet companion rather than a passing trend.

This is the hope that inspired Liu Aixia to create NIANLAI in 2009.
We celebrate life through natural fabrics.
We honor craftsmanship through thoughtful design.
And above all, we hope every woman who wears NIANLAI feels a little lighter, a little freer, and a little closer to the life she has always longed for.

Close-up of natural linen fabric texture and stitching detail

Slow the pace

of your heart.

About NIANLAI

Founded in 2009 by fashion designer Liu Aixia, NIANLAI is a Chinese linen clothing brand inspired by nature, timeless design, and thoughtful craftsmanship.

After years in the fashion industry, Liu Aixia founded 所喜所悦 and 念来 with a simple vision: to create clothing that feels natural, comfortable, and effortlessly elegant. Every collection reflects her dedication to quality, refined design, and the beauty of slow living.

Today, NIANLAI continues to share this philosophy with women around the world—creating garments that offer comfort, confidence, and a deeper connection to nature and everyday life.

How to arrive?

Discover NIANLAI's Cozy Corner in Shenzhen: Find our exclusive physical store at 168-7 Xuefu Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, China.

The Perfect Location for Cross-Border Guests:
Just 15 minutes by car from Shenzhen Bay Port.
A quick 20-minute drive from Shekou Port.
Getting Here is Easy: Navigate directly to us by searching 念来棉麻 on your preferred map app.

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