Feng Chen Wang — Heritage Meets the Future

Celeste Lee: Your spring/summer 2026 collection marks Feng Chen Wang’s 10th Anniversary. How do you think your creative influences or sensibilities have shifted in the past decade?
Feng Chen Wang: They’ve matured in depth and clarity. While nature, craft, my Chinese heritage and human connection have always been central, I’m leaning more into emotional storytelling—designing with purpose, vulnerability, and community in mind.

CL: Who were your early fashion influences and how did they inspire an interest in traditional techniques?
FCW: My grandmother was a deep influence—she made clothes by hand. That connection to craft inspired my love for heritage techniques and the beauty in imperfections. The local artisans in the community I grew up with in Fujian were also huge inspirations and later collaborators throughout my collections.

CL: Growing up in China and spending significant time across several other countries, what does ‘home’ mean to you and how does that influence you creatively?
FCW: Home isn’t just a place—it’s memory, emotion, culture. Growing up in Fujian, and later living in London, New York, Paris, and Shanghai, I’ve absorbed a lot. That duality and hybridity constantly inform my designs. It’s about reconciling tradition with change.

CL: Your collections open a dialogue between nature and innovation. What is it about the tension between these opposing forces that draws you?
FCW: That tension is where creativity lives. Nature is intuitive, imperfect, and emotional. Innovation is structured, forward-looking. When the two meet, something extraordinary happens—designs that are both grounded and boundary-pushing.

CL: You’ve often embraced Lanyinhuabu in your designs, going through great lengths to find artisans who still practice this technique. How did you discover Lanyinhuabu and why was it important to incorporate it?
FCW: I discovered Lanyinhuabu while researching traditional dyeing methods. It’s a centuries-old technique rooted in rural China, and I was struck by its uniqueness and fragility. Incorporating it into the brand felt like a way to honour and preserve that cultural legacy through contemporary design.
I want to spotlight the value of preservation through reinvention. By giving ancient methods a modern context, I hope to keep them alive—not as relics, but as evolving narratives that people can connect with today.
We’re exploring more plant-based dyeing systems and looking into biodegradable composites for garment construction. The goal is always innovation that honours tradition and pushes us toward a more sustainable future.

CL: One of the highlights of the collection is the incorporation of hand-pressed floral imprints. Why does this technique resonate with you?
FCW: They’re physical memories—capturing the transient beauty of nature in fabric. Each piece is unique, imperfect, and alive. It’s a very emotional process, and it aligns with our philosophy: to design garments that feel personal and deeply connected to their origins.

CL: The collection also brings plaid into the Feng Chen Wang universe for the first time. How did you go about making this classic print your own?
FCW: We approached plaid not as a pattern but as a structure. Using it for architectural tailoring allowed us to subvert its familiarity—remaking it in 3D forms and contrasting it with organic textures like lace and knits

CL: Russell Westbrook has been a longtime admirer of the brand, and we love that he’s part of this presentation’s cast. How did the friendship begin, and how do you think he embodies the brand?
FCW: I first met Russell about 10 years ago in Beijing, and then we have reconnected several times in Shanghai over the following years. That’s where a genuine and long-standing friendship began. We met again in Paris just last year, and even though we don’t always see each other in person, we’ve always stayed connected. Russell often shares his thoughts on my designs and what looks from the runway he resonates with. He’s been incredibly supportive, not just wearing Feng Chen Wang at key moments, but also engaging with the brand creatively.
From the very beginning—even one of the first times we met—he was already shopping at Feng Chen Wang. That early support means a lot to us.
Russell embodies the spirit of the brand in many ways. He has this unwavering determination and never-give-up attitude, which mirrors the ethos of Feng Chen Wang. The way he connects with and uplifts his community is something we deeply admire and also strive to do through our work. Over the past 10 years, Russell has stayed true to himself, always pushing forward with clarity and purpose—just like we do. He’s not only an icon in sport but also a reflection of the values we hold close.

CL: You’re known for designs that celebrate androgyny and self-expression. In a world that increasingly embraces that, how would you like to see the future of menswear and perception of masculinity?
FCW: It’s true, menswear today is evolving—it’s becoming more about freedom and self-expression than strict definitions. We’re seeing more unisex designs and a shift away from traditional ideas of masculinity. For me, it’s not about a specific body shape or silhouette anymore; it’s about how clothes make someone feel.
Someone like Russell really embodies this spirit. He’s strong and masculine, but he’s also confident exploring different styles. That’s what modern masculinity looks like: having the courage to express yourself fully, without limits.
I believe the future of menswear is spiritual—it’s less about conforming to a certain look and more about embracing individuality. People want clothes that are flexible, interchangeable, and that reflect who they are beyond gender. It’s about authenticity and freedom, and I hope to keep pushing those boundaries through design.

CL: You’ve worked with a wide range of collaborators outside the fashion space throughout your career. What kind of collaboration would you be interested to take on next?
FCW: I’d love to explore the intersection of fashion and architecture—perhaps working with a spatial designer or even a sound artist. Something immersive, where people can feel design in more than just clothing.

CL: How do you envision Feng Chen Wang evolving over the next 10 years?
FCW: Emotionally richer, more global, and increasingly interdisciplinary. We’ll continue exploring new mediums, deeper storytelling, and community-focused projects. But at the heart of it all, we’ll stay committed to human connection and meaningful design.