Feel It In My Bones – Fan Bingbing

corset ZHAOYI YU
shirt INTO THE EAST
ear accessory OF HUNGER

ANASTASIA YOVANOVSKA
You have lived many lives in the public eye—actress, producer, entrepreneur, cultural icon. Which identity feels most true to you today, and why?

FAN BINGBING

Actually, for me, no single identity is the most genuine, because all of them are real to me. They are more like branches growing at different stages of my life, all rooted in the same place—the self that constantly seeks exploration and resists being defined.
In fact, acting was my original passion—it allows me to stand in front of the camera and shape characters, experiencing the depth of countless lives. Being a producer, on the other hand, was about bringing the women’s stories I care about to the screen, giving me a more grounded sense of control over the narratives. As for later launching a beauty brand, it stemmed from my belief that beauty is a form of confidence, and I wanted to share this confidence with more girls. As for so-called cultural trends, they feel more like a responsibility, offering me the chance to bring Eastern aesthetics and perspectives to a broader stage. These identities are never separate; they all come together to form the person I am today. Staying true to my heart and doing every task with dedication—that sense of solidity is the most genuine feeling.

AY
You’ve often chosen complexity over comfort in your roles. What kind of woman are you still curious to explore on screen?

FB
I’ve always been fascinated by imperfect yet vibrant female characters. In recent years, what captivates me most are not those grand, haloed heroines but women who grapple with life’s struggles— marked by earthy resilience, even a hint of stubbornness. They lack earth-shattering feats, yet in their day-to-day perseverance, there’s an unyielding grit. I believe complex characters better mirror real life. Those fragile, hesitant, or even battered moments actually let
audiences glimpse their own reflections. What I seek to explore is this luminous strength hidden within ordinary lives. These are the women just like you and me in everyday existence, deserving of recognition.

AY
Working on both Eastern and Western movies, which subtle yet significant differences have you noticed in the filmmaking process and the art of storytelling?

FB
The most subtle difference actually lies in the way emotions are expressed and the rhythm of narration. Filmmaking in the East is very particular about leaving white space, just like ink painting, which does not express all emotions directly. For example, a glance or a turn can hide a thousand words behind it, and the audience need to savor them slowly. The narrative is also relatively smooth and silent, with emotions slowly flowing out along with the story, like a river,
slowly infiltrating people’s hearts. Western creation, on the other hand, places greater emphasis on conflict and individual expression.
The rhythm will be more direct, and the emotions of the characters will often erupt through strong lines and body movements. They pursue that kind of exhilarating resonance more. They are better at focusing grand themes on individual growth and choices, allowing the audience to clearly feel the transformation of the characters. But in the end, good stories have no borders. Whether it’s the subtlety of the East or the warmth of the West, sincerity always touches people’s hearts.

AY
Numéro often explores themes of transformation. How has your personal and artistic evolution over the past few years reshaped your understanding of your own power and vulnerability?

FB
I used to think that strength meant being tough, carrying everything, and not showing weakness. But these years of growth have taught me that true strength lies in the courage to accept one’s own fragility. In recent years, I have gradually realized that vulnerability is not a weakness, but an opportunity that brings me closer to myself. Admitting one’s own shortcomings is the key to finding ways to learn and grow; Accepting one’s own emotions is the key to facing storms more calmly. The power I understand now is to know the world and not be worldly wise, to be gentle despite wind and rain, to be able to handle things, to be soft, to move forward, and to stop and talk to oneself. This transformation has taught me to cherish every moment more and to understand that my imperfect self is the most complete.

dress RAHUL MISHRA
shoes BORIS ZUBOREV

AY
What do you see as your role or responsibility in the global conversation
about Asian representation today?

FB
I think my role is more like a bridge. In recent years, on the international stage, I can feel that people’s perception of Asian women sometimes remains stuck in some stereotypical labels. And I am fortunate to have the opportunity to stand on different platforms and break these labels in my own way, whether it is shaping a flesh and blood image of Asian women in acting, conveying Eastern aesthetics and skincare concepts in branding, or showcasing the unique temperament of Asian women in the fashion industry. I hope more people can see that Asian women are not just gentle or tough. We can have many facets: elegance, confidence, ambition, and dreams. My responsibility is to bring out authentic and diverse images of Asian women, and let the world hear our voices.

AY
You’ve stepped behind the camera as a producer. What stories do you feel a personal responsibility to tell?

FB
What I most want to tell is the stories of women’s growth that have been overlooked in their lives. There are too many women around us who may be white-collar workers working hard in the workplace, mothers silently contributing to their families, entrepreneurs chasing their dreams, or even women persevering in rural areas. Their stories have no earth shattering plot, but are full of real power. As a producer, I feel responsible for filming these stories. There have also been many excellent women’s films in the past two years, and I am very happy to see everyone’s success. Because I believe that every woman’s growth deserves to be seen and respected. When these stories are seen by more people, more girls will find resonance and courage in them. It turns out that I can live like this too.

catsuit TAOTTAO
corset REBITCH
shoes PYOGI PUBLIC

AY
Your beauty brand, Fan Beauty Secret, is a great success. Beyond products, what is the core philosophy of beauty you wish to impart to women today?

FB
Actually, my core philosophy is simple and beautiful, which is to be loyal to oneself rather than catering to others. Nowadays, many girls are kidnapped by ‘standard beauty’, thinking that they need to look in a certain way and conform to a certain template to be considered beautiful. But I think beauty is never uniform. Some people are beautiful in the liveliness of their eyebrows and eyes, some are beautiful in the warmth of their smiles, and some are beautiful in the confidence in their bones. Fan Beauty Secret not only produces skincare products, but also aims to convey a love for oneself attitude. The process of skincare is actually a conversation with oneself. If you take your skin seriously, you are telling yourself: I deserve to be taken care of. As long as you accept your uniqueness and live out your own style, you are the most beautiful.

AY
You’ve worked with some of the world’s most iconic designers. Which collaboration was the most fulfilling for you artistically, and where did you feel that the creator really saw and understood you?

FB
For me, the most fulfilling moment is not a single collaboration, but the moment when I reach mutual understanding and inspiration with each designer. This is not an experience that any one designer can bring, they are all so excellent and different. Because when I choose clothes, I never passively wear them, but rather engage in an equal artistic dialogue. They won’t define me with labels, but instead capture the diverse traits that come with me – both the gentle Eastern color and the refined sharpness that comes with it. I will also interpret design with self-awareness, giving clothes a more vibrant soul; And their works can also awaken the unnoticed side of my heart. The process of mutual understanding and achievement is the most precious. Good collaboration is never a one-way shaping, but
an aesthetic resonance between two creators.

AY
How has your personal style journey changed, and what story are you telling with your fashion choices today?

FB
My fashion choice and the story I want to tell have always been about being myself. Fashion is not about following trends, not chasing them, but a form of self-expression. I hope to tell everyone through my dressing that when you are no longer held hostage by external scrutiny, and when you choose a style that makes you comfortable, you will naturally emit a confident glow. This kind of radiance is more captivating than any glamorous clothing. Although I have been doing this since I was young.

AY
What simple things bring you the most sincere sense of joy and peace when you are alone with your thoughts, out of the glare of the cameras, and away from your work demands?

FB

They are all very trivial matters. For example, on a sunny afternoon, brewing a cup of hot tea and sitting by the window reading a favorite book. Don’t rush, don’t think about work, just stay quietly with the words and let your thoughts drift away with the stories in the book.
Or, give yourself a simple beauty treatment. Starting from washing your face and taking each step to relax can make you feel particularly grounded. These things are all very simple, without any special sense of ceremony, but it is these ordinary moments that make me feel the most genuine happiness and peace.

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