In the contemporary cultural landscape, it's a matter of survival that brands move toward an approach that is fan-centric, and not only cultivates but also celebrates their fan bases everywhere. ESPRIT, whose stature during the 90s is easily attributed to its hoards of adorers, is tapping into what it knows best— the fans.
Enter FUNDOM: ESPRIT’s answer to finding the fans and sub-cultures who bring their brand to life. Bouncing across Europe, the series will see sub-cultures across the continent and the fans who make them up. First stop: world-famous cultural hub and high-octane music capital, Amsterdam.
The Netherlands is a country with a global impact on all things pop culture. As the world revisits millennial culture, music, and fashion, it comes as no surprise that all things Dutch are having a revival too. Bright electric colors, rapid thumping bass, and happy smiling faces evoke iconic scenes, from gabbar, to happy hardcore, to sugar sweet 90s house music.
Fans of gabbar, house, and hardcore alike descended on ESPRIT’s Amsterdam flagship this week to celebrate all things FUNDOM, using the archive to manifest new creative expressions. Hiding away from the grim October weather, those on the guestlist for the kick-off event found warmth and comfort amongst the radiant colors of the ESPRIT store. At the store’s foyer stood a handcrafted statue by multidisciplinary artist Tim Wes. Once inside, high-BPM music kept spirits high and had the dance floor heaving, courtesy of dan1dang3r and Zgjim Elshani.
We had the chance to catch up with Tim and Zgjim and get their thoughts on the fan’s place in a successful fandom, their creative inspirations, and where communities find their common interests. Tim Wes is a multidisciplinary who connects diverse creative fields, uniting people across various backgrounds. His mission is to inspire creators and help audiences break free from their mental confines. Embodying the uomo universale ideal, he pursues excellence in all aspects of his work, journeying where creativity knows no limits.
Zgjim is an Amsterdam-based DJ and graphic designer, and is a graduate of the city's renowned Sandberg Institute. He is also the co-founder of Angry Youth, a collective, club night and label formed and operating in Kosovo since 2012.
Tim Wes
When did you start considering yourself a dancer? Is it something learned? Or do we all have dancers inside us?
When it comes to dance, we often ask, 'What's it all about?' Well, I think of dancing as similar to singing. We've all got our own unique style, just like everyone has their own voice. Picture a stadium full of people singing together; it always sounds good, right? I believe that deep down, we can all groove in our own way.
What's interesting about moving your body is that it's a way to show who you are without talking. It's like we pick up different dance vibes from our background, our interests, and our personality. If you dance all alone, some folks might think it's a bit strange. But when two people dance together, it can start a movement.
What genres or styles of music shaped your style of dancing?
I grew up in a home where my dad's love for Jazz was almost like an obsession, and he had me diving into the genre from a very young age. My older brother was quite the active house and electronic DJ, while my middle brother delved into producing Pop, R&B, and rap tracks. I believe my deep interest and appreciation for such diverse music styles can be traced back to these influences.
In Surinamese culture, dancing holds a special place. It's an integral part of every birthday party, a medium for expression and connection through movement. Just as we have different facets of ourselves depending on the setting we find ourselves in, we can adopt various dancing styles based on the atmosphere and environment, I suppose. It's all about adapting to the rhythm of the moment.
Hakkan is famous for sharp lines and powerful beats. What draws you toward these thumping basslines and booming clubs?
The minimalistic vibe, the tangible energy, the sense of togetherness, and the liberating "be yourself" atmosphere—these are the elements that truly attract me to these clubs. Observing people break free from the daily grind and just be another face in the crowd, where nobody is really fussy about who you are or what you do, is something I find quite appealing. It's a unique sense of freedom.
Where do you believe community in a fandom lies?
I believe we are born into a community that becomes an inherent part of us, whether we embrace it or not. However, as we mature, we gain the ability to select our own communities and the individuals we feel a true connection with. I am genuinely drawn to people who dare to think differently, who chart their own course, irrespective of the world's opinions. Those who make bold choices and continually challenge themselves resonate with me.
Discovering that I wasn't the only one with unconventional thoughts provided a sense of comfort. I think this is precisely what a community can accomplish; it can instil a sense of belonging, purpose, and the reassurance that you're not alone in your uniqueness. We can dance and laugh together while also sharing our burdens, and that, to me, is both enjoyable and vital for our spirits.
Zgjim Elshani
What role do you think visual identity plays in fandoms?
It’s quite important. Not only is it there to create a more expansive world in which the fans can find themselves in but also it functions as an identifier for each other, thus creating a sense of belonging and community.
How has the internet and social media influenced the formation of fan communities?
I think it played a huge role in bringing together and growing underground and niche communities. People who previously might have been left isolated in their interests have managed to find others and build communities. We see new fandoms and subcultures grow out of the internet almost every other week. That said I think that this should and can not be a replacement for fan communities formed in the “real” world but rather be another form of community building.
When does someone who is a fan shift into being deep into a fandom?
This depends on the person or fandom.
I think deep fandom happens once people find something they can identify with on a level that goes beyond and reaches into a lifestyle. For example you can be a fan of Black Sabbath and a lot of people are but then you can also be a true metalhead and live the part by dressing, talking and just living a certain way which goes beyond just listening to the music.
