About chi

Chi Couture Uniforms Inc. was founded in September 2006 in Vancouver, BC Canada.

A former employee of the medical field, Agnes Dalisay, founder and president of Chi Couture Uniforms Inc. experienced first hand the frustration of not being able to find uniforms that fit or flatter the female figure.  Being small in stature, finding her size was even a bigger challenge.  Even after major alterations, she found conventional uniforms unflattering, uncomfortable and inconvenient.  She  also felt that they did not represent the status of the female professionals that wore them nor did they enhance the image of the establishments they represented.  Determined to solve these challenges Agnes’s initial response was to create uniforms for herself that were fashionable, functional, comfortable and professional at the same time. What has evolved is a designer uniform line that delivers, chi.

Agnes started designing and translating fashion trends into her own uniforms in 2003.  Her colleagues started noticing her designs and were placing orders in a small scale.  She commissioned tailors to customize her uniforms and to supply to her friends and colleagues.  Even at this level, Agnes used only high quality stretchy fabrics to address the issues of style, comfort, and functionality.

For three years Agnes continued to work full time in the laboratory. Her colleagues continued to place orders. At this point she also realized that there was indeed a void in fashionable, comfortable and functional uniforms in the uniform industry.

Her patients also appreciated her professional appearance at work. Agnes found it very rewarding to have her patients feel at ease when coming in to the medical laboratory which generally is an unpleasant experience. “You only make a first impression once.”

Agnes has turned her frustration into an opportunity because of her passion for fashion and a genuine respect for her patients. “It made them feel good that I took the time to look presentable to them.”

In September 2006 Agnes took her passion to a whole new level.  She introduced Ella trench style lab coat, the first design to have been manufactured in Vancouver, Canada in a larger scale.

Eleven more designs have been introduced since then and chi is continuously coming up with fashion forward designs.  Chi is proud to have introduced the concept of seasonal collections in the industry, Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer.  One of the pioneers of wearable medical uniforms in Vancouver, Agnes keeps her collection fresh by staying abreast of the fashion trends.