William Fan draws inspiration for his Fall/Winter 26 collection from his own retail history.
The collection entitled “Ring the Bell” is based on its own store in the German capital and was presented during Berlin Fashion Week.
The store backs onto a back alley and for four years was only accessible by ringing a bell, the show notes say. It is “a homage to the analogue, to conscious experiences, to the luxury of taking your time”. The store at Große Hamburger Straße 25, near Hackescher Markt, just celebrated its reopening last summer – during the last edition of Fashion Week.
The physical location also played a role in the Berlin label’s set design. In the middle of the rectangular room was a replica of a retail space with small shelves, stands and objects displaying various accessories such as sunglasses and bags.
Meanwhile, the looks were inspired by the different guests. “The conversations and encounters with them left a lasting impression and inspired William Fan to incorporate this sense of diversity into his design,” according to the show notes.
Velvet and corduroy were featured alongside technical fabrics and waxed tops. Down jackets met pleats, which were used for pieces such as skirts and long-sleeved tops. The movement of the fabrics and layering were among the central elements of the collection. This created a motif between casual looks and elegance, reflecting the diverse customers.
