Who: Fan Bingbing
She’s a Household Name In: China
Why She’ll Be Known Worldwide: Unless you speak Chinese, you probably haven’t seen any of the films or television shows that have earned Fan Bingbing countless awards and a huge fan following in her native China. If you’ve been paying attention to the front row at the last few fashion months, however, you’ve probably noticed her—although you may not have known who she is. That’s because Fan Bingbing’s fashion sense is hard to pin down; she looks equally stunning in the elegant and elaborate Chinese-inspired gowns she dons on the red carpet and the more avant-garde, free-spirited ensembles she favors for press conferences and fashion shows. She turned heads at this year’s Cannes Film Festival when she dazzled in a gown inspired by a Chinese vase by Christopher Bu and a green Elie Saab clutch (above). Her ability to work different hairstyles—from this classic Tang dynasty updo to long and flowing waves—adds to her chameleon-like sense of style.
Photos: WENN.com, Imaxtree.com
The actress and singer (she released an album in 2005 called “Just Begun”) stood out in the front row at the Versace show during Paris Spring/Summer Fashion Week, looking fairly dressed down but edgy in a yellow and silver dress by the designer. She went with a darker look at the Monte Carlo TV and Film Festival in Monaco, wearing an off-the-shoulder Salvatore Ferragamo top and brocade skirt with luxe-looking jewelry. Western designers have taken note of her striking beauty, including Stéphane Rolland who invited her to close his latest haute couture show in a white gown with a feather-effect cape.
Photos: TPG/Getty Images, Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images, Marc Piasecki/Getty Images
At a press conference in Beijing for the film Double Xposure, Fan Bingbing showed off her quirkier side in a graphic-printed dress by Ground Zero, lime green tights and dangerous-looking platform sandals. Going in the opposite direction, she looked positively angelic in a floral Valentino Couture dress at the L’Oreal and Cannes 15th Anniversary dinner. Spotted in Paris during Fashion Week, she looked chic and modern in a white tunic and black Capri pants with oversized round sunglasses.
In 2012, Fan Bingbing began to enjoy international recognition for her flawless style, winning Elle’s Personal Style award last year, as well as earning the ninth spot on Vanity Fair’s International Best Dressed list. She is the Global Asian spokeswoman for L’Oreal and the brand ambassador for a line of Louis Vuitton handbags. Like what you see? You may have a chance to get to know this international fashionista’s style better, no subtitles necessary. She’s slated to star in Iron Man 3 next year, so keep an eye out for Fan Bingbing.
