Name: Fang Yang
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Now living in: Shanghai, China
Tell us about by FANG
by FANG is organized as a Fashion House with a couture line, Atelier by FANG, and a ready-to-wear line, by FANG. The latter is the initial label of the House which I founded in Paris before officially moving back to Shanghai in 2013. Atelier by FANG was introduced in 2014 as our custom-made signature label and exclusively available on private appointment to VIP clients. by FANG can shortly be described as modern-craftsmanship-elegance and a creative intention to fuse a cosmopolite design with a subtle oriental DNA. It is best interpreted in the silk origami and folding patterns crafted as my signature since the beginning of by FANG.
What materials do you use?
I predominantly like to use silk or silk base fabrics most particularly in our Couture collections. We also work jointly with long-history French lace Houses such as Solstiss, Maison Leveque or Jean Bracq which are preferred partners nowadays. In the meantime, we have developed a multi-year collaboration with Swarovski and crystal ornaments are very present especially in our evening collections… Silk and in-house designed silk prints are also very central in our ready-to-wear collections which we associate with fabrics from all the over world essentially Italy, France and Japan. With the ‘Couture-à-porter’ concept which we like to develop in our ready-to-wear collections, we also like to make use of naturally couture-intended fabrics into modern ‘every-day life’ occasion design.
Where do you draw your inspiration?
As any designer I suppose my inspiration is widely drawn from my daily life, either past experiences or present. Many beautiful or surprising moments in life can be kept inside and aggregate into seasonal inspiration… On a more personal note, I did not jump into Fashion right after graduating from ESMOD Paris… Instead worked for about 2 years in Contemporary Arts galleries which was and remains a more intimate passion. I need a clear artistic angle in order to interact with Fashion. In fact, the initial reason behind by FANG when I was founded the label in Paris was to design collections for women in the Art circle whom I met almost every day at Art openings and started to really understand the core needs and preferences in relationship to their wardrobe…
How are the pieces made?
by FANG is now organized with two design centers, the main one in Shanghai and a small team in Paris as well which mostly contributes to our ready-to-wear collections. In the meantime, we have built our own ateliers in downtown Shanghai, one directly at by FANG villa where we welcome our private clients and the other larger one with our Design / Business office in Jing’an. We are lucky to have been joined by promising talents over the years who enable by FANG to always elevate its craftsmanship and self-developed technics. The head of our Couture Atelier for example has worked several years in Paris for Dior Haute Couture atelier flou and contributes such a valuable expertise.
Who do you create your work for?
I have in mind a charismatic, self-defined, yet naturally elegant woman, of course ideally also an Art lover who can deeply connect to my inspiration.
What are some of the projects you are most proud of?
Pride would be a big word since the way is still very long … I am always more tempted to challenge myself and our teams to pursue climbing the next steps… perhaps sometimes forgetting to fully enjoy pre-existing achievements… On a professional note, our first Couture show at Paris Fashion Week in July 2019 was definitely a huge satisfaction more so as a Chinese designer… We also implemented a strategic partnership with an investor based in Saudi-Arabia which was important in by FANG’s development not only financially but also directly connecting our collections with a luxury-oriented and sophisticated market… On a more personal note, to be able to build by FANG and yet be the mom of three amazing babies.
How has Chinese culture shaped your work?
China is my country, my roots so I am obviously very intimately connected to it. In the meantime, I can easily admit that I may not have become who I am today without the 7 years I spent in Paris which really shaped my artistic vision and my approach to details. Combining both is truly important to me which influenced my decision to come back to Shanghai in 2013 and establish by FANG here. Moreover, to always find the fine and subtle line towards shaping cosmopolite collections, which can be understood anywhere in the world, yet with a clear identity dictated by my Chinese roots.
What is your dream for your brand?
What was initially a dream has probably become an objective to continue to develop by FANG as one the first Luxury Fashion House headquartered in China, and notably associating Couture signature and ready-to-wear collections. Being able to achieve it here and yet maintain the strong connection we naturally have with Paris is an ideal situation… As some may know, my husband is also from France. He is the co-founder of by FANG and has been a main force allowing us to develop to where we are today… The dream, then, would be that our 3 kids also participate to by FANG in the future and as such to formulate a Legacy.
What should we be looking forward to seeing from you next?
We have lots of interesting projects in front of us which can participate to extend the targeted Luxury footprint of by FANG such as accessories and fine fragrance developments… We will also launch a kidswear capsule later this year as I feel more and more inspired in this direction having my 2 little girls around me…
Discover by FANG
Instagram: byfang_official
WeChat: by Fang
Weibo: byFANGMaison