Fashion career profile
Emma Chopova
Emma Chopova is a Bulgarian-American fashion designer and co-founder of the London-based label Chopova Lowena with Laura Lowena-Irons. The pair met while studying fashion at Central Saint Martins and continued into a joint master’s course. They founded the label in 2017, building a shared practice around Bulgarian craft and folklore, sportswear, recycled and deadstock textiles, and a distinctive use of hardware. Chopova’s work is presented as part of a co-led studio rather than a sole creative-director credit. The duo became finalists for the LVMH Prize and won the 2024 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund. Their collections connect research into traditional techniques with contemporary clothing and an independently built business.
- Role
- Co-Founder and Co-Creative Director, Chopova Lowena
- Nationality
- Bulgarian-American
- Age
- 35
- Career appointments
- 1
- Fashion houses
- 1
- Chopova Lowena Doubles Down on Experience, Service with ‘Clubhouse’ Retail ConceptWWD · 2026-08-27
- Education: Fashion, Central Saint Martins (BA and MA)The designers met during their studies and completed a joint MA course. · LVMH Prize
- Co-founding: Co-founded Chopova Lowena with Laura Lowena-Irons in 2017The British Fashion Council dates the label’s founding to 2017. · British Fashion Council
- Selected recognition: LVMH Prize finalist; BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund winner (2024)The label was an LVMH Prize finalist and won the 2024 BFC/Vogue fund. · British Fashion Council
- 2017 — Co-founds Chopova LowenaChopova and Lowena-Irons establish their London label after studying fashion together.
- 2020 — Named LVMH Prize finalistThe duo is recognised for combining Bulgarian craft and folklore with sportswear and reuse.
- 2024 — Wins BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion FundThe co-founders receive the 2024 fund award for Chopova Lowena.
- 2017–Present — Co-Founder and Co-Creative Director — Chopova LowenaCurrent appointment · British Fashion Council