Fan Bingbing is more than a Chinese superstar. Across the globe fashion designers are seeking out the actress in admiration of her embrace of daring, extravagant designs. From the beginning of her career in Chinese cinema to Hollywood and her red carpet takeover – where did Fan Bingbing come from?
By Jemma Walker
The Chinese actress rose to fame after her casting in the award-winning 1998 television series, My Fair Princess. Later in 2003 her role in Cell Phone – China’s highest-grossing film of 2003 – secured her place as one of the country’s most successful actresses. With over 35 films and series on her resume, a Barbie doll created in the 33-year-old style icon’s honour and recently starring in The Empress of China as the Wu Zetian – the only Chinese empress in more that 4,000 years – she is branching out all over the world. Starring in Chinese, Korean and French cinema – you might recognise her from X-Men: Days of Future Past and Iron Man 3. With 1.2 million followers on Instagram and a brand ambassador for Chopard, Louis Vuitton and L’Oreal – there’s no stopping fashion’s favourite face.
Fan captured the attention of the fashion world with her dramatic entrance at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival, dressed in a dramatic ‘Dragon Robe’ by Chinese designer Laurence Xu, and marked the beginning of our love for Asian-inspired glamour. For the Met Gala China: Through the Looking Glass event, the daring dresser was celebrated for truly embracing the theme, dressed in a sparkling Chrisptopher Bu sequin gown and printed silk gown inspired by China’s imperial palace – The Forbidden City – the star was dripping in golden elegance. Cannes marked the continuation of her reign of style, in an array of gowns by Ralph & Russo and a beautiful Marchesa plunging gown, decorated with a waterfall of spring blooms – the actress tops fashion charts on and off the movie screens.
