Interview
City Guide: Through Berlin with William Fan
Since the establishment of his own label in 2015, William Fan has been a prominent fixture in the Berlin Fashion Week calendar, with his fashion being widely celebrated. The designer, a mid-30s native of Hong Kong and Hannover, has been living and working in Berlin since 2013, remaining loyal to the city despite international acclaim. After all, Berlin nowadays has everything successful designers need. In this narrative, William Fan shares his favorite places in the city, insights on navigating Berlin effectively, and tips on where to find the best cocktails and most beautiful art.
"I wish that Berlin never loses its own creativity. Berlin must constantly reinvent itself, but should not forget to always provide enough space for young art." - William Fan
Victoria Bar
Best cocktails, in the best company, can be found at the Victoria Bar – an icon and institution of good taste. For a quarter of a century, the finest drink creations like Guyana Manhattan, Prince of Wales, and Brandy Crusta have been served here. A little tip: It's best to make a reservation in advance, as the tables are in high demand every evening.
Potsdamer Straße 102
Kunstgewerbemuseum
Traveling through fashion history is possible at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Berlin. It is the oldest museum of its kind in Germany and impresses with an impressive selection of historical to modern looks: "The Museum of Decorative Arts offers a fantastic selection of historical textiles and costumes. It is unique in Berlin, and you learn a lot about the history of fashion," says William Fan.
Matthäikirchplatz
"I prefer to ride my bike through Berlin. That way, you see a lot and can quickly move from neighborhood to neighborhood. I especially enjoy cycling from Mitte to Charlottenburg, passing through the government district." - William Fan
Aroma
Without much fuss, but with the best dim sums in the city, available in various flavors until the early morning hours, you can find them at AROMA in Charlottenburg. William Fan not only loves the authentic Cantonese cuisine but also believes, 'Here, you discover the best characters of the city.'
Kantstraße 35
FAN PLAZA
In addition to his main store, nestled charmingly in the backyard and stocked with the designer's fashion, accessories, and shoes, William Fan recently expanded with a second outpost: Right in the front building of the same address, you'll now find FAN PLAZA, a William Fan Gift & Souvenir Shop. Both stores are definitely worth a visit: they are small parallel universes, crafted to the highest design standards, perfectly encapsulating and celebrating the dynamic world of William Fan's fashion.
Große Hamburger Straße 24
Galerie Wentrup
William Fan particularly appreciates Gallery Wentrup for its "exquisite selection of contemporary art." With regularly changing, finely curated exhibitions featuring various artists, it's an absolute must-see for those who want to immerse themselves in Berlin's art scene. The latest exhibition titled "Monumental" showcases the works of the painter Sophie von Hellermann and is on display from January 26 to March 9, 2024.
Knesebeckstraße 95
William Fan will present his Autumn/Winter 2024/25 collection next season as well, within the framework of Berlin Contemporary, on February 5th at 5:30 PM. Location: tba. For those who want to delve deeper into the world of William Fan: The 60-minute documentary 'In Between' portrays the designer and is available on the ARD-Mediathek.
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