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Man With Style: Entrepreneur Alex Kwan

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BAZAAR Man

Man With Style: Entrepreneur Alex Kwan

“Three words: leather, black, sterling.”

by Gracia Phang  /   January 11, 2022
Photo: Alex Kwan

A creative multi-hyphenate who has always been enthralled by the process of art-making, Alex Kwan first studied graphic design and then fashion design, dabbling in photography in between. In 2015, the 29-year-old combined all his passions, including cycling, into his one-man brand, Tokubetsu Na Mono, which means “special objects” in Japanese and is driven by the ethos of quality over quantity.

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https://www.harpersbazaar.com.sg/gallery/man-with-style-alex-kwan/
Man With Style: Entrepreneur Alex Kwan
First Fashion Memory
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“My uncle had a storeroom filled with Margiela GATs and other Maison Margiela archive pieces, and it left a very strong impression on me. That taught me to curate a space and collection with the items you love and enjoy.”

Sneaker, about $677, Maison Margiela at MR PORTER

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Mr Porter
On His Personal Style
custom

“Three words: leather, black, sterling.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Not Alex (@runyoko)

Alex Kwan
Favourite Designers
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“I like Martin Margiela, who’s a trailblazer and such an iconic figure. The fact that he gives credit to his team is truly respectable as well. Yohji Yamamoto, with his astute vision and singular pursuit of black, is another fave. It’s admirable how he manages to produce refreshing garments despite sticking to the same colour palette.”

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Yohji Yamamoto menswear spring/ summer 2022 (Photo: Showbit)
Prized Possession
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“My most treasured item is a leather jacket from Neuw that has been with me through my travels. The patina it has developed, along with the textures and smells it has collected over the years, is priceless. Definitely an heirloom piece.”

Alex Kwan
Shopping Spoils
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“The last thing I checked out was a pair of Chelsea boots from Carmina. Next on my list is a large Maison Margiela leather tote.”

Boots, about $558, Carmina

Carmina
Brand Identity
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“Tokubetsu Na Mono is an extension of myself and a bit of an underground label. Our products are produced in small quantities, and are designed to reflect and exist in a specific timeline. There are the younger folks who tend to go for casual wear and accessories, while the more mature crowd veers towards technical gear such as jerseys and their components.”

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Tokubetsu Na Mono
The Creative Process
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“It usually begins with a mood, an emotion or a single word. Sometimes, inspiration hits and I churn out something cool. I’ll launch a new collection, catch an incomparable high from sales, then immediately think I could’ve done better. Rinse and repeat.”

 

Kwan at work in the studio (Photo: Alex Kwan)
An Ideal Day Is...
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“… a day spent creating good work. It’ll start with a glass of iced green tea, and end with yoghurt, apples and frozen blueberries atop some granola.”

123rf
Guilty Pleasure
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“Gin, lots of gin! A favourite would be Citadelle Jardin d’Été.”

Citadelle Jardin d’Été
Next Travel Destination
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“I’d like to visit Melbourne. It’s where I discovered myself and the one place where I truly feel at home.”

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MCI (P) 031/12/2022. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2023 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.