ELLE China September Issue: Faye Wong

Chinese readers will soon find on newsstands pop diva Faye Wong on the cover of ELLE China’s September issue. ELLE’s website features a slideshow of Faye Wong’s past ELLE China/Taiwan/HK covers and a few sneak peek photos from the shoot have been released as well. She reportedly will not be releasing a new record despite the comeback concerts. Ever since the confirmation of the news of her upcoming  Beijing and Shanghai shows Faye Wong’s comings and goings in both China and Europe have been made rather public – even more so than the usual paparazzi coverage of her and her husband’s life. The following are images from ELLE China.

Celine's new face: Faye Wong noted in The Washington Post

The Post recently noted Chinese pop diva’s highly anticipated comeback. The article even explained to its readers Wong’s effect on her fans – often self-dubbed Fayenatics – and a few career highlights:

She generates passion bordering on hysteria among fans and manic screaming at her concerts and public appearances.

The excitement doesn’t just stop at the comeback Beijing and Shanghai concerts slated for October and November. Wong’s collaboration with LVMH-owned label Celine back in 2005 seems to have been resuscitated. She was recently in Paris shooting looks for the pre-fall and fall collections. Even a paper as influential as The Washington Post is pointing out to readers that Faye Wong is indeed a big deal in China.

Faye Wong in Paris shooting for Celine

Though ELLE HK announced via its official website in Chinese that Chinese pop diva Faye Wong has been secretly flown to Paris to shoot Celine’s print ad campaign, it is unclear whether “advertisement spokesperson”, the term used by ELLE HK, refers to being the new face of Celine worldwide, or merely an ‘ambassador’ who models the clothes in a few shoots widely printed by different magazines in Asia (she was dubbed a “friend of the brand” back in 2005).

It is likely that Wong will end up headlining Celine’s print ads in Asia, but her last gig in 2005 with the LVHM-owned label spawned a much publicized appearance at Celine’s fashion show during Paris fashion week and two spreads both shot in Paris (one of Michael Kors’ final collection for Celine and the subsequent modernist spring one by Roberto Menichetti). Thus, it’s safe to say that the sneak peek photos recently released by both ELLE HK and other sources on Chinese websites will at least be promo shots, if not full fledged print ad campaigns. The entire shoot may or may not appear in the September issue of Chinese ELLE, of which Wong is slated to be the cover girl of (ELLE HK was the winning bidder for Wong’s September cover status; the pop star and the magazine have a long history of collaborations).

In the meantime, why not travel back in time – back to 2005 – for a look at Faye Wong’s first collaboration with Celine.

Faye Wong: the new face of Celine Fall 2010

The news has been released! Chinese pop diva Faye Wong 王菲 has been in Paris shooting the latest ad campaign for Phoebe Philo’s comeback collection for Celine. This means the ads will be two comebacks in one: Philo’s return to the forefront of women’s ready-to-wear as Celine’s creative director and the end to Faye Wong’s longtime break from the entertainment industry.

Nonetheless, Wong is no stranger to the label. In 2005, Wong was the spokesperson for Celine, modeling Michael Kors’ final collection for the house (fall 2004 – remember those Jackie O. suits? The fur mufflers?) as well as the subsequent modernist collection by Roberto Menichetti, who enjoyed a shortlived career as the creative head of the company.

ELLE HK announced the news of Wong’s Parisian escapade with Celine, with her favorites makeup artist Zing and stylist/costume designer Titi Kwan in two. The print ads are being shot by Horst Diekgerdes.

Wong’s comeback concerts in Beijing and Shanghai slated for October and November, respectively, were sold out in ten minutes. Perhaps Celine’s owners, LVHM, are hoping for the same effect for the collection.

Icons & Muses: Faye Wong 王菲

Faye Wong 王菲 has long played the role of the reigning queen of both Mandarin and Cantonese pop music in Greater China. The Beijing native holds the record for bestselling Chinese female artist and occasionally dabbles in the film industry as well (Chungking Express, 2046). Not only is she one of the highest paid Chinese artists, Faye Wong is also the most original and daring of Chinese style icons. 

Her unique profession as a singer allows her to display that daredevil quality to full advantage – her concert outfits range from sexy to tongue-in-cheek, rock couture to romantic – pairing her angelic voice with whimsical and even bizarre takes on Hong Kong’s culture of outrageous celebrity concert fashion. Often noted for her cool demeanor and terse statements to the press, Faye Wong remains the eternal intrigue of the Chinese paparazzi.

Faye Wong’s style off-stage is just as original. In fact, she is a leading trendsetter in China. Her cool chic, casual flair, and glamorous but modern red carpet ensembles set the bar high for celebrity fashion in Greater China.