Fern Fans Is Bringing Its Cult Take On Your Grandma’s Favourite Accessory To The High Street

Vogue staffers have been stowing Fern Fans in their hand luggage since Daisy Hoppen and Amanda Borberg launched the brand in 2017. Now, thanks to a new collaboration with & Other Stories, five exclusive versions of the functional and ceremonial accessory are about to hit the high street.

Created in line with Stories’s seasonal palette, the birch wood and cotton fans are produced in a family-run factory in Spain, which the pair found after several European jaunts together. Two of the five designs showcase hand-painted prints by Borberg – a Copenhagen-based textile designer – two are striped and one comprises a green gradient. Each £50 to £75 accessory comes neatly packaged with a pamphlet detailing “fan language” – three subtle gestures that fan-bearers can use to communicate without uttering a single word. “It’s not strictly historically accurate but has elements that have been embellished over the centuries,” says the duo, who were inspired to start the brand after bonding over a Karl Blossfeldt photograph of a fan.

“We love the stories and art connected to the accessory,” they divulge. “Throughout history you can see them adorning women in paintings and people flirting behind them at social engagements. Fans are one of the oldest accessories ever created by humans and it’s incredible that their original shape and design hasn’t altered drastically over so many years.”

Hoppen, who runs DH-PR in London, tops up her personal fan collection in Majorca – where she holidays – eBay, vintage websites and flea markets. “I bounce between wanting to use a chic monochrome and wood fan, or something really beautifully decorated with hand-painted florals, silk or lace for special occasions,” she shares. “I love that you can be any age, size, shape – they are possibly one of the most egalitarian accessories.”

As well as proceeding to purchase when their & Other Stories edit hits Stories.com on June 18, Borberg and Hoppen recommend visiting The Fan Museum in Greenwich for its historical displays. (Side note: it has a brilliant gift shop – “Look out for fan napkins and soaps”).

Lend it to your friends, use it to flirt and keep cool, or simply match it to your outfit à la Hoppen – just make sure your Fern Fan always fits in your bag. Your mother and your grandma would approve of this summer accoutrement.