William Fan, a perfectionist known for his sincerity, calm demeanor, and unwavering determination, has been delivering the most beautiful collections in the most breathtaking locations year after year. He’s one of my favorite designers, and as the guest editor of my newsletter, William allows us to get to know him better. Have fun following him around, and make sure to watch the documentary about William's work as heritage mentioned below—highly recommended!
Lots of Love,
Franzi
Hello, my name is William Fan, and I'm the founder of the eponymous brand WILLIAM FAN. The brand was created in 2015, right after my studies. I enjoyed one of the best educations and spent more than 6 years in art school, working interdisciplinary, touching on sculpture, dance, and fine art. I have always loved collaborations and the general exchange of knowledge. I have worked in the industry at Alexander McQueen in London and had the privilege of working with Lee McQueen himself.
My approach is to offer a new perspective on fashion and integrate my Chinese roots. My parents emigrated from Hong Kong in the 60s. They set up a series of successful Chinese restaurants, and I spent my childhood and teenage years in them. Being a good host was always important in my family. I grew up feeling at home in two cultures, and it wasn't always easy to fit in. "William Fan - In Between," which is now available online on ARD and ZDF, is a 60-minute documentary about my heritage and my way of working. The director, Kim Hess, and her entire team captured a respectful view of my biography.
With my own brand, without investors, my company has naturally grown over the last decade. Next year, we will celebrate our 10th anniversary. We have clients all over the world who travel to Berlin to buy the collection. We are located among many galleries, and people from the art scene are fans. International art collectors also collect WF, and I feel honoured to be recognised by such an elite audience. But also, people from the artists themselves to gallery owners are in our customer pool. I think anyone looking for a strong wardrobe staple with a twist can relate to our brand.
I'm proud to have created a safe space for my team and myself. It's a warm and fun environment, and I like to guide and develop creative minds and push everyone individually. In my spare time, I love to travel. I travel a lot for my job and develop relationships with new manufacturers. I travel to Italy, Hong Kong, China, and Japan for my collections, and I just love developing products in an innovative way.
You are also welcome to visit our store in Berlin Mitte. Here you will find fashion, accessories, art, stationery, and hand-picked Asian antiques. I designed the whole shop, including our jade marble floor. It's a little oasis in an urban environment.
WILLIAM FAN, Große Hamburger Strasse 25, Berlin
THE GOOD FOOD
My dear friend Trang Hong-Mumme is one of the best hosts I know. I appreciate good food with authentic cultural references. She has established several "Saveur de Banh Mi" shops throughout Berlin. Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich, with French colonial influences. For me, it’s the best lunch and a great snack in between. All the shops are small and well-designed. They really remind me of travelling home to Hong Kong or to Tokyo, where food places are compact and efficient.
THE GOOD MOVIE
I recently watched the documentary "AKA Mr. Chow" (HBO production available on WOW), which was very emotional for me. Mr. Chow was one of the leading Chinese pop culture figures of the 1960s to the 2000s. He was married to Grace Coddington and built a restaurant empire. He was friends with Andy Warhol and had the best guest list in town. His New York Uptown restaurant hosted the most iconic evenings with Grace Jones, Jean-Michele Basqiuat, and the entire fashion scene. Born in Shanghai, he came to the West as a teenager in search of a better life. This immigrant story resonates with me, echoing many tales, including my own family's pursuit of safety and a better life. He takes great pride in his Chinese heritage and incorporates it into everything he creates. A documentary - humorous and intriguing - about an interesting fighter who is now redefining himself as a painter and artist. I adore the glamour and chic of that era, and I'm inspired to hopefully create a vibe one day. For anyone who loves images from 1980s and 1990s NYC, this is a must-see portrait.
THE GOOD ART
We recently held a pop-up shop in Munich’s Hofgarten. While there, a customer told me about James Turrell's installation. On our way back to Berlin we stopped in Freising, which was one of my best car stops ever. Turrell's light installation is on permanent display at the Diözesanmuseum in Freising. I have never experienced a space like this light installation. The light changes smoothly, leading to a loss of 3-dimensional perception. It's soothing and out of this world. The colours are extremely intense and almost feel tangible. And the best part: it's only 30 minutes from Munich’s city centre.
Diözesanmuseum Freising, Domberg 21, Freising
THE GOOD SHOP
We have recently launched a new shop concept called FAN PLAZA. It's a small space where we offer gifts, accessories, and small vintage items. We've just received some 200-year-old ceramics found in front of an old industrial building, originally used for cosmetics. Now, they can be repurposed for jewelry or as vase for small flowers. I created this space because I missed a shop where you could stroll around and discover gifts for your loved ones and yourself. You can find postcards, beauty products, or even a key ring in the shape of a fortune cookie. Our products start at €15, and we offer a curated selection of external brands such as Penco, Shupatto, Midnight 00.00, Chi Chi Fan, Kaweco, etc. Additionally, FAN PLAZA hosts various exhibitions. In the past, we have showcased artwork by Hannah Sophie Dunkelberg, and for the upcoming Gallery Weekend, we will be featuring photography by Christian Lindemann, who captured mesmerizing pictures during his trip to China.
Fan Plaza, Große Hamburger Strasse 25, Berlin
THE GOOD HOTEL
From 3rd-10th of May, our next Pop Up Shop will take place at the Sturmhaube in Sylt. This small, popular island in the north of Germany is exceptional when it comes to nature, food, and hotels. We will be hosting a dinner with Mercedes-Benz, who will be our partner for this event. The Sturmhaube is one of the oldest institutions on the island and offers six different types of rooms. One room features a copper bath in the living room, and all the little details make it very special and cozy. It's definitely a must-stay if you appreciate interior design and sea views. Additionally, the hotel has a restaurant that serves only local food and brews its own beer in the basement.
Sturmhaube, Riperstieg 1, Kampen (Sylt)
THANK YOU, William, for being part of THE GOOD MOOD BOARD! <3