Calvin Wang

“I have always been quite systematic. I look at the rules and I roam within them,” says luxury retail and brand strategist Calvin Wang. And while this may not be the typical mindset of a fashion icon, Wang’s background in luxury consulting—including roles as a retail analyst and buyer for Christian Louboutin and Lane Crawford, as well as the vice president of global brand strategy, partnerships and innovation for Esprit—has given him a unique perspective.

“I feel very comfortable in things that are timeless and that don’t go out of [style]. The most important thing is proportions. You need to know what you like and your shape,” Wang says. That’s not to say he hasn’t experimented with various aesthetics over the years, from playful to what he describes as “slightly goth”. Experimentation is still part of his approach to other areas of life—Wang and his partner Vincent Guy Raffin are embarking on a new venture: jewellery brand Pen Mané. “It’s a huge leap of faith,” he says. “We see it as another calculated risk that will continue to define his fashion journey.”