Ian Fang throws a big bash to celebrate his fashion label’s 1st birthday

SINGAPORE — When actor Ian Fang conceptualised his streetwear brand First Attempt, he already had big dreams for its first anniversary; the plan was to book a club, invite all his friends and showcase his clothes.

On Sunday night, he made it happen.

It was not just his fashion label’s anniversary he was celebrating — the event also marked the first performance of the actor’s first single. Titled First Attempt, the Mandarin rap number was released on iTunes on Christmas Day. The party was also filmed as part of the single’s music video.

Celebrity guests such as Rebecca Lim, Romeo Tan, Elvin Ng, Pierre Png, Zheng Geping, Hong Huifang, Huang Biren, Zhang Zhen Huan, Shane Pow, Jeffrey Xu, Aileen Tan, Shaun Chen, Jayley Woo and Dennis Chew all turned up to lend their support.

When we chatted with Fang just before the event started, he was understandably a little keyed up, having planned and organised everything himself, over “three or four 
sleepless nights”.

“I supervised every single detail. I’m quite a perfectionist. I don’t want things to be an embarrassment. I want everyone to come and say, ‘Great party.’ Then, tomorrow morning, we go back to work,” he said.

What kind of feel was he going for in the video? “Messy. Just messy,” he grinned. “I don’t like to do things systematically. So, just go with the flow; capture all the natural expressions.”

First Attempt is a rap he started writing three years ago; it was completed in May with music by George Leong and additional vocals by Sylvester Sim.

It is a very personal piece about how his years in the industry have moulded him. “I’m less impulsive. I’m not argumentative any more. I used to always think I was right,” he shared. “I wanted to launch (the song) three years ago, but I didn’t have the financial stability to do so. I went through a lot and I think I’m mature enough now.”

Just as he was a dancer before he became an actor, he was interested in singing before circumstances caused him to shift his focus to rap. “I’m not really an angry kind of rapper. Two years ago, I suffered a permanent injury to my throat. I can’t sing any more. But instead of getting frustrated about that, I turned to rapping,” he said.

Although his clothing brand is currently not turning a profit, he said it is making a name for itself and there are projects in the pipeline that could raise its profile.

“Next year, I might be collaborating with Stage, Show Luo’s brand; and A Bathing Ape wants to work with me — we are just waiting for approval from Japan,” said Fang. “I’m very, very happy about that because I’ve been a fan since I was very young. So, I’m still trying to do better, but I think I’m satisfied with how things are coming along.”

He hopes to release more music, including collaborations with other artistes such as Bonnie Loo and Jeffrey Xu. “These days, artistes need to have more platforms so that people will know that, actually, we are capable of doing this and that,” he said.

The actor said he was not throwing a party to impress others. “If I were really that cool, I’d be flying everyone to Los Angeles,” he quipped. “I don’t know what will happen later ... (But I) feel very proud of myself because I really made it happen.”

He added: “I don’t know what people will think of my song and my label, and I’m not saying that I’m really good in certain areas — I am just trying to fulfil my dreams. Maybe I can motivate other youngsters to chase their dreams and goals. I love acting so much that I don’t know what else I could do, without it. But rapping and designing T-shirts are my hobbies; things that I like.”

Still, Fang knows the nature of the business and while he is happy to take the accolades, he is also prepared to face his naysayers head-on.

“I would just really appreciate it if people didn’t criticise me or say my rapping sucks. At least I worked very hard for it — I hope people can give me credit for that,” he said. “But those critics will make me strive to become a better man, and I’m definitely going to work very, very hard in the future (such that) people will know: ‘Oh, Ian Fang actually can do this. He is not one who only talks; he can do it.’”