Born in Ningbo, China, Susan Fang‘s journey to becoming a globally recognized fashion designer is a tale of passion, perseverance, and diverse cultural experiences. At a tender age of five, she moved to Canada, eventually relocating to Shanghai a few years later. Her childhood was characterized by frequent shifts between the East and West, which significantly influenced her design aesthetic. After a period in the United States, Fang found her calling at Central Saint Martins in London, where she studied fashion. This prestigious institution, known for nurturing some of the greatest talents in the fashion industry, played a pivotal role in shaping Susan Fang’s design ethos.
To gain industry experience, Fang interned at Kei Kagami and Celine, and later took on a trainee role at Stella McCartney. These stints provided her with invaluable insights into the workings of the fashion world, further honing her skills and understanding of design. Motivated to translate her unique worldview into conceptual fashion pieces, Fang launched her eponymous label in 2017.
The Susan Fang brand stands out in the fashion industry for its focus on perception and mathematics. Each collection is a melange of innovative textiles, vibrant colors, and distinctive silhouettes, resulting in garments and accessories that bear an unmistakable artistic originality. The brand’s designs are inspired by the natural world, with a particular emphasis on fractals – the repetitive and rhythmical mathematical formulas that create beautiful chaos with understandable geometries. This vision enables the Susan Fang brand to transcend trends and aesthetics, instead choosing to express a mirage of artistic illusions.
Susan Fang’s talent did not go unnoticed. In 2019, she was shortlisted for the prestigious LVMH Prize, a testament to her innovative approach and distinctive designs. In 2021, she was awarded the Creative Pioneer Award from the Yu Prize, further cementing her status in the fashion industry. Since its inception, the Susan Fang brand has released several collections that have been lauded for their innovative approach and unique aesthetic. The brand’s collections seamlessly blend innovation in textiles with sustainable practices in design and production, emphasizing craftsmanship and artisanal making.
