Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann Weinand.
Hi Ann, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Gen Chérie was founded on the idea of becoming — the moments in a woman’s life when she steps into something new: a bride, a wife, a mother, and beyond.
Founder Ann Weinand came to the United States believing in the modern American fairytale — that with vision, resilience, and hard work, it’s possible to build a life rooted in purpose and beauty. Her journey across fashion, beauty, and consumer brands gave her a front-row seat to how women celebrate their milestones, and where those experiences often fall short of the meaning they deserve.
Bridal became the natural starting point. Ann saw how wedding shopping had become transactional and overwhelming, leaving little room for intimacy or intention. Gen Chérie was created to restore that sense of care through a private, appointment-only approach, working with a curated collective of designers to offer custom and semi-custom gowns that feel personal, elegant, and enduring.
But Gen Chérie was never meant to stop at the wedding day. As a becoming brand, it extends into thoughtfully designed jewelry, beauty, and baby essentials — pieces meant to accompany women through life’s most meaningful transitions. Each category reflects the same philosophy: timeless design, emotional resonance, and craftsmanship over excess.
At its core, Gen Chérie celebrates transformation. It’s about honoring the moments that shape who we are — and creating beautiful things to carry us through them.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like many founder-led brands, Gen Chérie’s journey has not been linear. One of the greatest challenges has been building the brand while juggling family life, work, and motherhood — learning to grow a business during seasons where time, energy, and focus are constantly being divided. Balancing creativity with responsibility required discipline, sacrifice, and a willingness to move forward even when conditions weren’t perfect.
Another challenge has been introducing a relatively new concept to the market. Gen Chérie was never designed to fit neatly into a traditional retail box. Combining a private, appointment-only model with a broader “becoming” brand philosophy required education, patience, and experimentation. Early on, it became clear that awareness would need to be built intentionally — not just for products, but for the experience and values behind them.
As a result, the brand has evolved through multiple pivots, each one sharpening its focus rather than diluting it. Those adjustments were not setbacks, but necessary refinements — listening closely to customers, responding to real-world feedback, and learning how to communicate the vision more clearly.
These challenges ultimately shaped Gen Chérie into what it is today: a brand rooted in resilience, adaptability, and purpose. The experience reinforced a core belief — that meaningful brands, much like meaningful lives, are built through persistence, reflection, and a willingness to grow through change.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is driven by an instinct for beauty, form, and storytelling. I design and develop products that mark life’s most meaningful moments — pieces meant to be worn, felt, and remembered.
I grew up with deep roots in Singapore, surrounded by a rich mix of tradition, craftsmanship, and modernity. That global sensibility continues to shape my creative lens. Early in my career, I had the opportunity to work within some of the world’s most influential fashion and beauty houses, including Dior during the John Galliano era and Ferragamo, where I learned how emotion, structure, and artistry come together to create desire. Later, working with L’Oréal and Mary Kay allowed me to translate that creative vision into beauty products — understanding formulation, texture, performance, and how women actually use and experience what they buy.
Design has always been intuitive for me — whether shaping a gown, refining a piece of jewelry, or developing a beauty product that feels luxurious yet approachable. One of the projects I’m most proud of was helping bring Zales’ two-stone diamond ring to market, a piece rooted in symbolism and storytelling. I’ve also been part of iconic global launches such as Dior’s J’adore, experiences that reinforced how powerful design becomes when it connects emotionally.
What sets my work apart is the ability to move fluidly across disciplines — fashion, jewelry, and beauty — while maintaining a clear point of view. With Gen Chérie, I bring that creative sensibility into a becoming brand, where every piece is designed with intention, craftsmanship, and feeling at its core.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice to anyone starting out is to build resilience before chasing recognition. The early stages are rarely glamorous, and progress often comes quietly before it ever becomes visible. There will be moments of doubt, pivots you didn’t anticipate, and long stretches where effort outweighs immediate results — that’s all part of the process.
Adaptability is just as important as vision. Being clear on what you stand for while remaining flexible in how you get there allows you to grow without losing your core. Some of the most important lessons come from listening — to customers, to the market, and to your own instincts — and being willing to adjust when something isn’t working.
And finally, there is no substitute for hard work. Building something meaningful requires time, focus, and consistency. It’s the hours spent refining, learning, and showing up even when momentum feels slow that ultimately shape both the brand and the founder behind it.
Success isn’t about getting everything right the first time. It’s about staying committed long enough to let the work evolve into something strong, intentional, and lasting.
Pricing:
- Custom bridal gowns start from $800
- Beauty products start from $29
- Jewelry start from $29
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gencherie.com
- Instagram: @gencherieofficial
- Facebook: Gen Cherie
- TikTok: @gencherieofficial
