LONDON — Cult men’s fashion publication Fantastic Man is launching its first international edition in China with local firm MC Style Media Group as a partner.
With a publishing permit from Shanghai Translation Publishing House, the Chinese edition of Fantastic Man will launch digitally in June. A bi-monthly print edition will be revealed in September.
The title will launch two official accounts on Xiaohongshu for men’s fashion week coverage, and will bring a further range of content, such as mini-dramas and podcasts, to engage its audience on topics like fashion, lifestyle and social issues.
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Branded events, including creative forums, photography and design exhibitions, private parties and awards, and cross-disciplinary collaborations with artists and innovators are in the pipeline as well.
The local edition will be edited by Fantastic Man China’s new editorial director Jiacheng Guo, former editor in chief of Wallpaper China. He will report to MC Style Media’s chief executive officer Alex Sun and chief content officer, Mix Wei.
“By merging digital storytelling with offline experiences rooted in local culture yet globally informed, I hope to introduce fresh industry perspectives and inspire societal resonance,” said Guo, who previously was widely believed to take up the role of editorial director at GQ China, before the hope for the Condé Nast-owned men’s title getting a new publishing permit in China vanished after parting ways with its former state-owned local publishing partner more than a year ago.
Bringing in a global perspective to the readers in China, Stefano Pilati has joined Fantastic Man China as editor at large.
The magazine said the former Yves Saint Laurent creative director will deepen its cultural commentary on masculinity.
“As fashion evolves, magazines remain the timeless chronicles of our cultural journey. I am deeply honored to contribute to this vibrant story, especially as China emerges as the future of global fashion — bold, innovative and full of promise,” Pilati said.
The magazine also hired Mars Ren, a leading AI investor in China, as a strategic adviser. He will guide the team in exploring how emerging technologies can enhance content workflows and brand partnerships.
“Launching Fantastic Man China represents our entry into men’s publishing and our ambition to reshape the media landscape, said Sun, whose company, MC Style Media, publishes the Chinese editions of W and Marie Claire.
“By integrating social media with traditional formats, we aim to offer a multidimensional cultural experience that resonates with a new generation of readers,” added Sun, who also serves as a consultant at the newly announced GQ Hong Kong, published under Rubicon Publishing Ltd. via a licensing agreement with Condé Nast.
Fantastic Man founders Gert Jonkers and Jop van Bennekom said launching in China is an important step forward for a title that was founded 20 years ago.
“Since its inception, Fantastic Man has always been international in spirit. We’re excited to see how Fantastic Man’s perspective translates in this new context and reaches an entirely new audience,” added the duo.
