Describe the Susan Fang & Other Stories co-lab collection in three words? Susan Fang: Nature-inspired, fantastical, and with a three-dimensional quality that I love.
What sparked the inspiration behind this collection? SF: It’s a collection that ties nature, dreams and surrealism together through fashion. Nature served as our primary inspiration and the idea of creating dreamy statement pieces that also can be worn in your daily wardrobe.
You can really sense nature’s presence with all the flowers in the collection… SF: Yes – we actually added floral elements in all the pieces, where some flowers are in the broderie anglaise and some are made with beads. And we combined a lot of floral prints with transparent fabric so they appear to be floating, giving the wearer a sense of freedom.
The flower-printed dress is a real stand-out piece. Can you share more about its inspiration and design? SF: Yes, the “treasure dress”! It draws inspiration from my deep love for trees. In my main collection we use a special technique to make flower petals out of organza laser cuts and assemble into a dress, and for this treasure dress, we were able to recreate that effect. The flower print is painted by my mother, and it feels like you’re floating in organza flowers as you walk. We decided to make the dress strapless and more minimal, and I think it’s perfect for any grand event as well as for daily wear. It’s actually a very effortless floating-flower-petals dress!
The flower necklace is also a real show-stopper. Tell us more about it? SF: The necklace is so special as it came from a dream I had about a transparent flower blossoming. I didn’t know if transparent flowers exist in the real world, maybe only in a fantasy world. So I felt I had to create one. It became my 3D-printed flower necklace, initially a showpiece, and now we’ve crafted a less heavy version for & Other Stories, which I love. It’s a necklace inspired by dreams and fantasy, rendered in reality.
What sets this collection apart for you? SF: One thing that stands out to me is the finishing we could achieve, allowing me to realise some design ideas I’ve wanted to do but couldn’t before, like the beaded “water drops” on the broderie anglaise.
Which pieces embody the typical Susan Fang design elements? SF: We were able to incorporate many signatures into the collection, like the laser-cut flower petal dress and skirt, the unique prints, the crochet pieces, and the broderie anglaise. The transparent beads that repeat on many of the pieces create a dreamy water-drop effect on the fabrics, tying everything together perfectly.
Your mother’s involvement in your brand is inspiring. How does your collaborative process work? SF: My mother plays a significant role in my brand, and working with her is a very organic and creative process. Together, we explore new design techniques and incorporate her drawings into fabric prints. My mother is very important to me and my designs.
Are the prints in the & Other Stories co-lab collection based on your mother’s drawings? SF: Susan Fang: Yes, the floral prints are created from my mother’s flower drawings and marble paintings. My mother used to be a farmer, which has given her an in-depth knowledge of how flowers grow and what they actually look like, which is very different from how we are taught in school to draw flowers. That perspective makes her flower drawings so very unique.
Your diverse upbringing across many countries has made you a true global citizen. In what way has your background influenced your design aesthetic? SF: Growing up, I spent my childhood years between China, Canada, the United States, and the UK, and that way of constantly meeting new cultures has shaped my approach to fashion design. Living in various cities across the world exposed me to many cultural differences, and I experienced a lot of misunderstandings or constantly felt misunderstood. That experience of cultural differences is what sparked my love for fashion as a language. I will always see fashion a means to connect with others.
When did you first discover your interest in fashion? SF: Growing up, I spent a lot of time creating my own imaginary world where I could express myself freely. I developed a love for drawing dreamy dresses and coming up with stories about the girls wearing them. As I got older, I realised that fashion is a way to actually bring all my dreams and fantasies to life, for real!
You’ve mentioned ancient Chinese divination and Yi Xing as unique inspirations. In what way does it resonate with you? Susan Fang: I became interested in Yi Xing when I was still studying fashion at Central St Martins – and questioning the meaning of everything. Yi Xing is like a language of nature, and it’s fascinating as it reveals patterns in our world and reminds us that everything is alive and nature is constantly changing. The idea of being connected to nature and the cycle of life is important to me. We are never alone; we are a part of nature and a part of this cycle. As a designer, I want to create collections that inspire and connect people to something greater than themselves.