FML Artist Spotlight: Ian Chang of IVISION

“The manta represents a mindset of never giving up. It’s about moving forward with calm strength, no matter what’s around you.”
-Ian Chang

Ian Chang is a Hong Kong based fashion designer and artist building a world of his own, one shaped by motion, imagination, and the quiet power of the manta ray. Working at the intersection of wearable art and technology, Chang’s practice feels less like traditional fashion and more like a living narrative, where garments carry emotion, symbolism, and intent.

He began his journey in menswear in 2022, debuting collections such as Golden Ticket and Gigantic Manta Rays. These early works introduced his fluid visual language and earned him recognition on the runway, but more importantly, they hinted at a deeper universe taking form. The manta ray was not just a design reference, but a recurring presence, one that embodied grace under pressure and forward movement without force.

By 2024, that universe expanded into IVISION, a creative platform that merges fashion, art collectibles, and technology. Anchored by the manta ray as its central symbol, IVISION exists as both brand and belief system. It reflects Chang’s fascination with exploration, resilience, and the idea of moving through the world with quiet strength and intention.

“For me, it’s about fully immersing yourself in what you believe in,” Chang shares. “You keep evolving, you keep pushing forward. The manta represents that mindset. It’s about never giving up.” This philosophy runs through everything IVISION produces, forming the foundation of what Chang calls Mantality, a way of thinking rooted in courage, endurance, and self trust.

IVISION’s output extends beyond clothing into manga inspired visuals, art collectibles, and accessories including the Manta Amour collection. Each piece carries a sense of spirituality and storytelling, inviting wearers into a shared world rather than a seasonal trend cycle. The focus is not on hype, but on connection.

At its core, Chang’s work is about empowerment. Through IVISION, he encourages individuality, dream chasing, and self expression, fostering a growing community bound by creativity, resilience, and belief in something larger than themselves. In the world of the manta, movement is constant, and possibility is endless.

FML: You were born in Hong Kong and are now based in London. How have these two cities shaped your worldview and creative instincts?

IC: Being born in Hong Kong and later living in London has deeply shaped my perspective and creative language. Hong Kong gave me a strong foundation in Chinese heritage, craftsmanship, and cultural depth. London, on the other hand, expanded my worldview through its openness, experimentation, and creative freedom. Experiencing both allowed me to develop a hybrid mindset that blends tradition with innovation. My work today reflects that balance, rooted in heritage but driven by forward thinking expression.

FML: Before IVISION, what moments or experiences made you realize you wanted to work across art, design, and fashion rather than stay within one discipline?

IC: My dream and work ethic have always revolved around the full creative spectrum, from building something from nothing to bringing ideas vividly to life. I am constantly inspired by living forms, aesthetics, and emotions, which naturally push me to explore across disciplines. For me, creativity is not just about producing a product. It is about transforming a dream into reality and creating experiences that can change how people feel.

Mantality is central to that. It is about inspiring and motivating others, including my younger self, to embrace creativity, courage, and the joy of building something meaningful.

FML: You often explore identity and transformation in your work. How has your own identity evolved since launching IVISION in 2022?

IC: My identity has evolved significantly since 2022. It began with the Golden Ticket runway collection and continued through the development of the Manta storyline and our art collectibles. Everything traces back to the curiosity and dreams of my younger self, wanting to create something different that blends tradition with the futuristic.

I have learned to live in the moment, to embrace new elements, and to welcome inspiration as it comes. One thing that has not changed is my commitment to momentum. I am always pushing forward and encouraging my community to hold onto the visions and dreams we share. That dedication is the foundation for growth, both personally and collectively.

FML: Your background includes both luxury streetwear and Savile Row tailoring. What did each teach you about discipline, craftsmanship, and self expression?

IC: Both experiences shaped my design ethics in different ways. Luxury streetwear taught me boldness and freedom of expression, while Savile Row taught me discipline, precision, and respect for heritage. Learning to blend those contrasts helped me develop a new narrative, one that balances raw authenticity with structure and refinement.

“Luxury streetwear taught me boldness. Savile Row taught me discipline. Combining the two allowed me to find my own voice.” -Ian Chang

Through this, I learned how to express emotion and storytelling through design, translating how I feel and perceive the world into tangible pieces.

FML: The manta ray has become your signature symbol. Do you remember the first time you felt emotionally connected to it beyond aesthetic inspiration?

IC: I first encountered manta rays during my time in Barcelona in 2022, shortly after the Golden Ticket runway collection. I was exploring and soul searching for my creative identity when I visited an aquarium. I noticed that most fish scattered when sharks passed through, but the manta ray moved fearlessly, gliding straight ahead without hesitation.

That moment stayed with me. Its courage and calm strength resonated deeply, and that was when Mantality was born. It became a philosophy of resilience and determination that I wanted to share with my audience, encouraging them to embody that spirit in how they live and create.

FML: Mantality feels both personal and universal. Is it something you consciously live by day to day, or did it become clearer through making the work?

IC: It began as something deeply personal. When I saw the manta ray, I saw myself in its calm strength and fearless presence. Since then, I have lived by its ethics every day, carrying that resilience into both my life and work.

Over time, Mantality grew into something larger. I wanted to create products that provide momentum and empower individuals to embrace their own boldness. My craftsmanship evolved alongside this philosophy, always moving forward and guided by purpose.

FML: Manta Ninja vs Manta Samurai reimagines the Seven Virtues of Bushido. Why did these values feel important to revisit at this point in your journey?

IC: The values of Bushido, discipline, integrity, and courage, are timeless. Ninja and Samurai represent two different energies. One is adaptability, the other structure. Despite their differences, both fight for something greater than themselves. That contrast reflects my own journey and what I want to communicate through my work about responsibility, growth, and strength.

FML: Between Ninja and Samurai, which energy do you personally resonate with most right now?

IC: At this stage of my life, I resonate more with courage and honor. These values guide how I work and live. They keep me grounded while pushing forward with intention.

FML: The collection blends advanced 3D printing with hand finishing. How do you decide where technology ends and the human touch begins?

IC: Everything starts with sketches and drafts. Technology helps refine those ideas into precise forms, but the human touch is essential to the final experience. Texture, temperature, and silhouette are what allow people to truly feel a piece.

From handcrafting sculptures to applying finishes, every detail is designed to be worn and experienced. That balance between technology and craftsmanship defines my vision of wearable art.

FML: The glossy, armor like surfaces reference samurai heritage while remaining futuristic. How do color and finish communicate identity in your work?

IC: My design language begins with emotion and personal experience. Vibrant colors reflect energy and maximalism, while cooler tones reflect my inner world growing up. Metallic gloss symbolizes how each of us shines in our own way. Details like engraved patterns represent growth and experience.

Through these choices, the manta silhouette becomes a medium for individuality, resilience, and personal narrative.

FML: The phrase “Fall seven times, stand up eight” underpins the collection. How do failure and resilience show up in your creative process?

IC: Seven has always been my number. It represents a voice inside me that never fades, reminding me to never give up. Building a brand is challenging, especially when translating complex ideas into physical products. Sometimes things do not come out as imagined, and I have to rebuild and refine. That persistence is where resilience truly lives for me.

FML: IVISION describes Mantality as a living emblem. How do you hope people apply this mindset beyond fashion?

IC: Mantality represents belief, hope, and the courage to dream. Beyond fashion, it is about committing to something with integrity, enjoying the process, and using creativity to uplift others. That is the purpose behind the Seven Virtues of Manta Bushido.

FML: Your sculptures are described as functional rather than purely symbolic. What does functionality mean to you in contemporary art?

IC: Functionality means connection. Art should be experienced, not just observed. When someone can touch or wear a piece, it becomes personal. That connection gives the work deeper meaning.

FML: Showing this collection in Hong Kong feels significant. How does presenting it in your birthplace change its meaning?

IC: Showing my work in Hong Kong allows me to fully embrace my identity as a local creative while expanding my design language. London shaped my artistic mindset, while Hong Kong gives me a platform to express it in a meaningful cultural context. Together, they allow me to bridge East and West.

FML: Looking ahead, what does the next evolution of Mantality look like for you and for IVISION as a community?

IC: For me, it represents a bridge between history and the future, with the present as the space where I continue to create and push boundaries. For the IVISION community, it means embracing boldness and playfulness, allowing creativity to flow across art, technology, and fashion while celebrating individuality and innovation.

Ian’s #FMLFaves

Favorite Song: Hall of Fame
Favorite Movie: The Equalizer
Favorite Dish: Tempura Ebi
What’s in your bag: Always an extra blazer jacket