Men and style. For some, the concept sounds a bit like an oxymoron. The two go together like socks and sandals: they rub along, but not comfortably or prettily. Even the word fashion is enough to make some guys break out in an unsightly rash. That’s not the case for everyone though. A few gents out there have their own distinctive and individual ideas about what looks good. In Shanghai, they’re a growing cluster. From singers to entrepreneurs, PR gurus to bloggers, a number of men are raising the bar for style in the city, and carrying themselves through the world with confidence and originality. They are men who can teach you a thing or two about how to get dressed — and whose moves you’ll most want to steal.
We met them. Here are some of Shanghai’s most stylish guys.
Peter Xu
Fashion blogger, PR strategist, digital consultant and overall ‘Digital Pimp’
Shanghai's most fashionable men: Peter Xu
Tell us about your outfits.
For my blue outfit, the shoes are from Raf Simons x Adidas Originals, while the pants and jacket are from London brand Noose & Monkey. The bowtie is Topman. As for my silver look, the cap is Stereo Vinyl’s, sunglasses are Tagbox and pants and jacket are from Juun.J.
With 1.3 million followers on Sina Weibo, you are one of China’s main fashion and social media influencers. How did you get here?
I’ve been drawn to and involved with the entertainment business since high school. At university, I did a bit of TV co-hosting a bilingual program, and that got me more and more followers. When Weibo kicked off in 2009, I started using it regularly, and it kind of snowballed from there. I have done it all through social media – that’s my strength.
What do you like the most about your job?
The reach you get through social media. I love it when something I write, or photos I take get reposted by thousands of people. It’s incredibly rewarding.
Shanghai's most fashionable men: Peter Xu
What is style and what is fashion for you?
People say ‘fashion fades but style remains.’ I very much agree with that. Style is something you have to nurture, and it takes time and practice. Fashion, on the other hand, it’s easier, more immediate. It spans a billion different trends, all fleeting and interchangeable. It’s like a library, in a way, from which you can pick and choose the garments that’ll make your style.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
Colorful, bold and daring. I like prints and hip-hop elements, sporty and showy clothes.
What’s the worst fashion faux pas for men?
Wearing womenswear just to get people’s attention. Lots of guys in the industry these days dress in heels and women’s clothes in the hope to be noticed. I call them peacocks. I like androgynous looks myself, but I don’t think you have to put on a skirt in order to be recognized. That’s not being fashionable.
Luo Yang
Co-founder of AUNN Café
Shanghai's most fashionable men: Luo Yang
Name three of your passions.
Good design, tattoos and coffee. Coffee would have to go first, actually.
How did you get into coffee-making?
By complete chance, actually. I had just graduated and didn’t really know what I wanted to do, so I started working part-time in a café. I found it pretty interesting and decided to become a professional barista.
I was at Lavazza for a while, but found it quite boring. Specialty cafés were starting to open up in Shanghai at the time, so I decided to join the wave and founded Seesaw Coffee with a bunch of other coffee enthusiasts. I took part in China’s Barista Championship while at Seesaw, and after that, acted as a technical judge for the competition.
I like change though, so now I’m opening AUNN – All You Need Now. Think of it as a cafe-meets-design space.
If Shanghai were a coffee drink, what would it be?
A latte. Not too harsh on the palate, but still robust, sometimes with a strong finish that surprises you and keeps you going.
Shanghai's most fashionable men: Luo Yang
Where did you get your tattoo?
I started in Chengdu, where I am from originally, and then continued in Shanghai. It’s kind of a work in progress still.
How would you describe your style?
I think of myself as the rock star of coffee culture in China. I like to keep things simple, but always with a bit of edge. It reflects the way I approach coffee as well. I tend towards understated things that still make a lasting impression. You don’t have to be loud to leave your mark.
Busy Gang
Hip-hop crew
Shanghai's most fashionable men: Busy Gang
For those who don’t know – what’s Busy Gang?
Al Rocco: Busy Gang is a Shanghai-based hip-hop and rap group. I like to think of it as the PRC’s finest crew. It’s three of us – Blow Fever, Koz and I. We met in 2013 and have been making pretty sick tracks both in English and Chinese ever since. The idea is to raise the bar for rap and hip-hop music in China. I think we’re doing a pretty good job at that.
Guide us through your style.
Al Rocco: Some crews tend to stick to one look, one uniform, but we all have very diverse styles. Blow never wears hats, he has more of a Korean haircut. Koz likes prints and colors. Me, I’m just an ABC (American-born Chinese). It reflects on our music too – each of us has a different flow. That’s what makes us stand out.
Shanghai's most fashionable men: Budy Gang
Does Shanghai influence your creative process at all?
Al Rocco: It sure does. I grew up in Hong Kong and came to Shanghai after living in London, Los Angeles and New York for a bit, to reconnect with my Chinese roots. Shanghai and Chinese culture definitely seep through my work. Koz and Blow grew up here. They have always ‘breathed’ Shanghai. It’s who they are.
If Shanghai were one of your tracks, which one would it be?
Al Rocco: 'Gangjia Wang.' We released it in June and it exploded. It’s been a huge hit. It’s what Shanghai is for us.
Xing Zhao
Co-founder of Young Chinese Blood (YCB)
Shanghai's most fashionable men:
Guide us through your outfit.
Almost everything I’m wearing is Young Chinese Blood (YCB). My watch is Daniel Wellington, and the sunglasses are from Italian brand David Marc. The shoes are from a French label called Riviera Shoes. I like a dapper look with a touch of retro.
YCB does men’s lifestyle products – pocket squares, chiefly, but also ties and scarves. What led you to start the brand?
A gap in the market, and the desire to run my own company. My sister Jenny and I launched it last year. She has a background in design and I have always had an eye for details and good tailoring. We’re a good team.
Why ‘Young Chinese Blood’?
We wanted to bring forward the concept of good ‘Made’ and ‘Designed in China,’ but also the fact that the country is a hotbed for fresh ideas. Young blood. The scene is ever-evolving here.
Your style in a nutshell.
Versatile and flexible. If you see me on the way to the gym, I’d be wearing a backpack, baseball cap, messy hair and shorts. But I do like to dress up. I enjoy wearing shirts and ties. And a pocket square of course. Always a pocket square.
Shanghai's most fashionable men: Xing Zao
What would you be never caught wearing?
Anything vaguely related to street style. No baggy jeans or hip-hop looks.
Do you think there’s an increasing interest in ‘formal’ dressing among men in China?
Absolutely. And not just in Beijing or Shanghai, but in second- and third-tier cities too. It’s a trend I hope will stay. We’re actually foraying into men’s clothing soon, to meet this growing demand. We’ll be starting with printed shirts, and see how it goes.
Is there a YCB pocket square you think represents Shanghai particularly well?
Yes, our Fumo Shanghai pocket square. It’s inspired by Futurism and Art Deco – two artistic currents that did not originate here yet have been seamlessly assimilated by our city.
Andrew Guan
Founder of skateboarding website Kickerclub.com and professional skateboarder
Shanghai's most fashionable men: Andrew Guan
How is Shanghai’s skating scene?
Amazing. Shanghai is the capital of skateboarding in China. Most skateboarding brands have their headquarters here, and there are so many pros in the city – Chinese, Americans and Europeans. It’s great to be here if you’re into skating.
Favorite places to skateboard in town?
SMP Skatepark and the Place in Pudong. If it’s raining I go to a mini indoor skatepark in Puxi, owned by skateboarding company ATD. I only go once a week now, as I have an 18-month-old baby – I’ve had to adapt to his routine, you know.
Are you going to teach him how to skateboard?
Yes. I’ve already started to bring him with me when I go practicing. I put him on the board and we cruise together. He seems to enjoy it a lot.
How would you describe your style?
Skateboarding has a lot of different style categories: hipster – skinny jeans and flat caps – hip-hop – baggy shirts and trousers – and punk – the odd chain here and there, plus more skinny jeans. I like to think of myself as quite neutral. I don’t belong to a specific group. I like to keep it simple – white tees, shorts and original, neat design.
Shanghai's most fashionable men: Andrew Guan
What are you wearing today?
The hat is Brixton, which is my favorite hat company, from California. The t-shirt is Vans and the shorts are from local skater brand Helas. The socks are Volcom and the shoes are a collaboration between Vans and Anti Hero, another favorite brand of mine. The board is from my friend Yuan Fei in Qingdao.
You were in a video in all Shanghai taxis a while back. What was that about?
I collaborated with advertising agency Anomaly, which did and is still doing this video series called 'Unreasonable,' showcased in cabs across six Chinese cities. It profiles different people around the country who are ‘unreasonable’ in the sense that they’ve broken the rules, or done something different with their lives. They chose me as I quit a safe job at Apple to start KickerClub, my skateboarding site, 15 years ago, and have been promoting skating culture in the country ever since – pretty unreasonable for China!
[Photos by Nicky Almasy]
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