
How many suits does a man need? Well, if you’re Shinji Yamasaki, co-founder of RE:TERRA, the company behind skincare brand RE:ERTH, the answer is a lot (think around the 40-and-counting mark). For the 36-year-old who shuttles between Singapore and Japan, the tailored ensemble has power beyond the aesthetic—it’s not just a businessman’s armour, but also a tradition passed down from his father. While the pandemic has changed his everyday go-to from suits to something more casual, his golden rule remains: Always look presentable. And that means no sneakers on days he dons his smartest get-up.
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“My style generally leans towards the more formal, and I take inspiration from many of the actors and designers in the 1950s and ’60s.”
“I think individual style doesn’t necessarily have to be ‘only yours’; I look at it as more a tool to make you feel good and confident about yourself.”
“I like Ralph Lauren suits specifically because of his designs, the level of workmanship and the quality of materials. Overall, I think his designs are timeless. As a brand, it’s not one to sway with general ‘trendiness’.”
“There’s a photo of me when I was probably three, wearing a red double-breasted blazer. I’m pretty sure I didn’t have any input on that decision though…”
“My most treasured possession is a vintage Audemars Piguet given to me by my father.”
“My grooming essentials are pretty minimal: RE:ERTH’s bar soap, Multi-Targeted Elixir, Smoothing Eye Cream and, occasionally, Blemish Control (acne and pore treatment). Recently, I’ve grown out my hair a bit, so I’ve been using Olaplex’s hair oil as well.”
“To blow off steam, I hit the gym hard and heavy! There’s absolutely nothing like going all out and leaving it all in the gym.”
“In my briefcase, you’ll find a zippered Smythson portfolio notebook, a Montegrappa fountain pen and the new RE:ERTH Rejuvenating Hand Treatment.”
“There are lots of places I’d love to visit! Iceland in the summer; Utah; Arizona; Machu Picchu in Peru; Kenya; Botswana; Tanzania; Seychelles… the list goes on.”
“I indulge in coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.”