Giving a personal touch to fashion trend
Rónan Kent
Rónan Kent
At the age of 25, Rónan Kent is the Founder and CEO of ROJO Clothing. Originating from Ireland, Kent has a background in corporate finance and strategic development.
Graduating from Dublin City University, he earned a Masters degree in Finance from Fudan University. Kent leverages Mandarin and CFA knowledge to run ROJO Clothing and harness its competitiveness. He aims to redefine the global suiting industry in his own way.
If I have to pin myself to one style, it would have to be a pair of baggy lounge pants, a clean white T-shirt and Nike runners paired with minimal sunglasses from Swedish designer brand Dienastie. When people first meet me, I think they are sometimes surprised to learn that I am the CEO of a Made-To-Measure suit and menswear company as I don’t really have a personal style. I am a simple man, possibly wearing a pair of trousers and T-shirt that I’ve had for decades.
The best outfit I’ve ever worn for a special occasion was definitely my ROJO Clothing double-breasted velvet tuxedo that I wore for my girlfriend’s sister’s wedding in Norway.
I don’t really follow fashion trends. I just wear what I think suits my body, my skin color and what I like. I also go through double-breasted periods, but sometimes I really can’t bear to wear a suit. Different phases, different outfits, different Rónan’s.
I don’t usually shop for clothes and accessories as I run ROJO Clothing and most of what we produce is what I also wear. I guess the only thing we don’t produce at the moment is underwear. My girlfriend normally gets those from C7 at Akenz in Shanghai. When I’m back in Scandinavia I always pop into Berg&Berg.
My favorite fashion brands are many Scandinavian brands, but I love COS for men.
The designer I most admire is Yohji Yamamoto. He is a master tailor. This is a skill I can really appreciate, but also the aesthetics of his designs align perfectly with what I look for in my high-end clothing.
The style icon I look up to is Mads Mikkelsen, a Danish, gymnast and a superb actor. Mikkelsen is one of the few men in the world who actually possesses his own style of suiting, which intertwines on many subtle levels with some of the roles he has played in the past. Outside of fashion, the word icon inspires Elon Musk feelings.
The last item I added to my wardrobe was a wax overcoat with a beautiful Scottish tartan inner lining.
The fashion item I’m eyeing next is a new backpack, one of those that can charge my gadgets on the go. I am thinking of ripping out the lining and replacing it with some sort of radio-wave lining blocker to protect all my gadgets inside.
I collect memories. Polaroid photos of all my nights out with friends in Shanghai.
My grooming staples are deodorant, mouth wash, hair comb.
My signature perfume is Bleu de Chanel.
The best souvenir I brought home was chopsticks with my mum’s name on them. She really loved that.
The most memorable places I have traveled to in the past were New York and Koh Phi Phi in Thailand. A beautiful concrete jungle and a beautiful jungle.
The best thing about living in Shanghai is that we are able to run such a successful start-up. The digital modernization that China is going through is an amazing opportunity to be a part of, one that will be a nice story to recount to the younger generation, and one that my start-up is taking and will continue to take full advantage of.
The last book I read was “Tools of Titans” by Tim Ferriss. It’s about living life to the absolute highest level. It’s more of a guidebook rather than a once-off-single-read kind of book. I check back in with it when I’m looking for guidance, inspiration, advice or when I’ve just had a bad day.
I would love to live in Copenhagen during the spring, Florence/Sardinia during the summer, Shanghai during the autumn and Switzerland during the winter.
Zhang Na
Zhang Na
Zhang Na
Zhang Na is founder and creative director of Fake Natoo, a locally grown fashion brand that has caught much attention in the fashion circle. Zhang was awarded as Most Creative People in Business 100 by “FastCompany,” and was honored one of the Top 30 Chinese designers by Forbes.
My personal style is causal and stylish. I especially care if there a unique design language.
The best outfit I’ve ever worn for a special occasion was a burgundy red velvet robe designed by myself, with a handmade embroidered al-Sufiyyah hat that I bought in Istanbul years ago. The outfit of that day made me feel comfortable and relaxed. It felt like kind of time-travel, artistic and interesting.
I never follow fashion trends. It’s depressing.
I usually shop for unique design pieces, which really express the language of the designer. But normally, this kind of design is not popular and are hard to sell. A lot of people refuse to try these beautiful pieces, since they are used to following fashion trends. I love Marci of Paris. It’s unique and full of design for daily stuff.
If I have to limit my shopping to one neighborhood in Shanghai, it would be Xintiandi.
My favorite fashion brand is Dries Van Noten.
The designer I most admire is Comme des Garcons.
The style icons I look up to are those who never follow regular procedure, who are brave and creative
The last item I added to my wardrobe was a handmade, large stocking cap that I brought from children’s clothing store.
The fashion item I’m eyeing next is a clutch.
I collect yarn tint pattern catalogues. I’ve collected German, British, Japan and Chinese catalogues.
My signature perfume is Chergui of Serge Lutens.
The best souvenir I brought home is a carved door that came from (mob boss) Du Yuesheng’s house.
The most memorable place I have traveled to was some small remote islands. Everything was so unique. The houses were the same color as the sea. It was a place full of energy and passion. Everything was so alive and so isolated.
The best thing about living in Shanghai is the multiple lifestyle.
The last book I’ve read was Jack Kornfield’s “After the Ecstasy, the Laundry: How the Heart Grows Wise on the Spiritual Path.”
Except Shanghai, the city I would love to live in is Mexico City.
