Men With Style: Jian Yang, Owner Of Asia’s Largest Doll Collection And Managing Partner Of Distilleri

Discover one man’s love for dolls and fashion.

By Gracia Phang - published 12 Jun 2024

JIAN YANG

44, CO-OWNER AND MANAGING PARTNER AT DISTILLERI

While he’s known mostly as the guy who owns Asia’s largest collection of over 13,000 Barbie dolls, Jian Yang not only collects dolls, but he is also an advertising man like Mad Men’s Don Draper. Intrigued by short stories and capturing people’s attention in less than 30 seconds, Jian Yang fulfilled his childhood dream of being in the advertising world and co-owning Distilleri. When asked who he’d like to swap wardrobes with, he replied, “Ken is always well dressed, but never so well dressed that he outshines his woman. This is a very important detail, guys.”

IT HAS MY NAME ON IT

“My last irresponsible purchase was a one-of-a-kind Barbie bride, which was made by a master sewer for Giorgio Armani in Italy. It cost a bomb, but when I saw how fine the workmanship was, I needed to have it. I hesitated when I first saw it in New York City, but when I met the designer again in Tokyo, and the doll was still available, I took it as a sign.”

KIMONO DIPLOMACY

“I have followed this Japanese kimono artist for years on Instagram and while I’ve asked to buy his doll-sized kimonos, he doesn’t retail them. One day, I met him at a Barbie event in Japan, and he brought me one of his dolls, all dressed up in a real kimono with traditional undergarments. I offered to pay for it, but he insisted it was a gift. His kindness and generosity renewed my faith in Barbie fans.”

COLLECTOR’S ADDICTION

“I have over 60 briefcases and bags (partial to Bottega Veneta and Prada), and a shoe addiction. Most of my watches are vintage Rolex and Tudor as both my grandfathers were watch collectors.”

FASHION FIRST

“When Beverly Hills, 90210 aired on TV in the ’90s, all the guys in the show wore plaid shirts over black t-shirts, tucked into Levi’s 501s. I emulated that look in my teens.”

MINI ME

“While my Jian doll (a repainted Ken doll in his image) has 1:6 scale replicas of many of my clothes, the best one yetis the red Swarovski-embellished Frederick Lee blazer I wore over a Christian Lacroix tuxedo. I brought a Bob Mackie Queen of Hearts Barbie to match. It was hilarious to me, and people seemed to enjoy it.”