MEET THE FOUNDER OF THE WÀN

Viola Wan, is an LA-based creative director, fashion designer, professional dancer, and choreographer. “China raised me, LA made me” is how she would describe her background. Even though she was always told she can never be a professional dancer because of her body type, society's value on being a dancer would never be a real job back home, she trained in traditional Chinese national dance since 4 years old along with some international and national award in the industry.  She said that dance taught her what hard work looks like at a very young age. 

Moving to LA by herself at 16 years old without knowing anyone, she started to really pursue and trained as a professional dancer in LA’s entertainment industry in all different styles including Hip-hop, Jazz Funk, Dancehall, Afro, Popping, and Heels. “Dance changed my life, if it weren’t for dance, I will never be who I am today, doing everything I do today either.” She explains how dance influenced her over the years. 

As Viola evolves, she starts to realize that she wants to really build an empire that is way bigger than just her. Born in a female dominant family, she was really inspired by all the females in her family including her two grandmothers and her mum. They really showed her how women can do everything men do and more at a very young age. One of her grandmothers built one of the biggest hotels in her hometown by herself at the age of 55 when nobody believed in her. 

As an upcoming creative director and fashion designer with a professional dance background, Viola says she often would ask herself what is the “WHY”, “BIGGER PICTURE” for her with her brand THE WÀN. “ ‘WÀN’ = ONE in my brand name because I want to inspire others to be THE WÀN(ONE) AND ONLY for everything in life!” For a very long time after moving to LA, she felt she never fitted in any community, she didn’t see anyone looking like her or just doing everything she wanted to do on the top she can look up to. “ I want to make it to the top so bad, have the type of platform I’m going to have, the number of funds I owe because I want to show and give back to the younger generation of artists, creators, designers… (who might have a similar background of me, people in the minority group, people of color, or anyone who does not born with the type of privilege they have to pursue their dreams) we do not need to fit into anywhere to be successful the way we want to be; anything in life is possible, it really just matter of how bad you want it!” Viola explains, “ if you feel you don’t belong to this world, make your OWN world.”