Mark “Jappy” Gonzalez on thriving amidst a global pandemic

Founder, managing partner, and creative director of H&F Retail Concepts and Tatler Asia’s Most Influential honouree, Mark “Jappy” Gonzalez, is proof that perseverance is everything, especially during trying times

“Persevere. The public may not respond to what your vision is as quickly as you have conceived this,” says Mark “Jappy” Gonzalez.

He started from humble beginnings, with his first foray into the retail industry starting with Cinderella when he supervised the entire men’s department at 20 years old. From there, he envisioned something greater and opened the first luxury directional multi-label, “homme et femme”, in Shangri-La EDSA Plaza Mall.

His fearlessness in trying new things and getting out of his comfort zone has allowed him to bring some top luxury brands to the Philippine market. He was later recognised and inducted into the Business of Fashion’s Top 500 index of powerful global fashion industry influencers.

What projects in the last two years are you most proud of? Why?

Jappy Gonzalez (JG): The opening of Officine Universelle Buly & Omotesando Koffee. Both were very challenging as these were training-centred. We did not have the best opportunity due to COVID (thus restricting our training to a virtual one); the nuances were very difficult to attune to. And our first collaborative project with a local designer, Carl Jan Cruz, was launched in November 2022 at UNIVERS.

What challenges do you see now in your respective industry? How do you intend to help address these challenges?

JG: The supply chain has been deeply affected by the pandemic. But more to that, the effects of the current situation worldwide that has currencies collapsing. We hope to maintain our competitiveness in this matter. It's still an open-ended question at this point.