In an exclusive interview with MEGA Man, Jian De Leon shares how he used his skills and sense of style in making fashion ripples all over the globe
Over the course of many years, Filipino creatives have been generating a significant amount of influence on the global fashion industry, and Jian De Leon is definitely one of the finest examples. With more than a decade of experience under his belt, Jian has dabbled in a wide variety of fields that have given him opportunities to showcase both his talent and fashion flair. From working as a style writer for one of the most well-known fashion publications in the United States to publishing his own book, Jian has unquestionably arrived at the rank of a global fashion icon.
A retrospective of his fashion career
In 2011, Jian started his creative career at Complex Magazine. Soon after, he joined the team of GQ Magazine as a style writer in 2013. Then, he returned to Complex as the magazine’s Deputy Editor for style, where he mostly discussed the emergence of streetwear culture and how it is gradually accepted by mainstream society. However, becoming the Editorial Director of Highsnobiety was undoubtedly one of his professional high points. For almost four years, Jian showcased his unparalleled expertise in fashion and culture. He also oversaw digital, print, video, and brand marketing. Yet, Jian continued to push himself and try new things in the fashion industry. Now, he serves as Nordstrom’s men’s Fashion and Editorial Director.
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Jian is not just a fashion writer, but also an accomplished author. Published by Gestalten, Jian released The New Luxury: Defining the Aspirational in the Age of Hype in 2019, following up on his 2018 book, The Incomplete Highsnobiety Guide to Street Fashion and Culture.
Jian also uses his skill in writing to create campaigns and copy for companies like 23Stories, Ledbury, John Elliott, and Nike, and he has even contributed to magazines such as Style.com, Man of the World, Business of Fashion, and New York Magazine.
A look into his early years in the Philippines
Jian’s dad was a pilot in the Philippine Air Force before their family moved to America when he was four. Yet, he keeps coming back every so often. Apart from the abundance of their relatives and friends here in the country, Jian has remarked that returning to the Philippines usually brings back fond memories of his youth.
He also shared that one of the reasons why he values his culture so much is because it is the subcultures inside the fashion industry that first drew him in, rather than the labels or the clothing themselves. He began looking into the brands worn by his favorite bands and musicians. Afterwards, his insatiable curiosity led him into the field of fashion and lifestyle journalism. “For me, culture has always been about connecting the dots and looking at the big picture, and being able to zoom in on the finer details at the same time,” Jian mentioned.
Celebrating his well-earned accomplishment
Jian said that he is proud of his writing career and his collaborations with some prominent figures in the industry, but fostering the development and success of others is what he considers his greatest achievement. Aware that his words would make him sound quite aged, he shared, “I have come to a point in my career, this will make me sound really old, but for me, it is when I look at people who I have been able to empower.” He proudly mentioned how thrilled he is to see his former interns now working for firms like Nike, and found it rewarding to learn that his efforts have improved the quality of life for others.
“When you are in the position that you were able to give the next generation an opportunity and make it on their own, to me, that’s what I’m most proud of because your legacy is being created even though you don’t know it, so always treat everybody with respect and be as kind as you can and try the best work you can.”
The post Meet Jian De Leon as He Takes Filipino Excellence on the Global Scene appeared first on MEGA.
Meet Jian De Leon as He Takes Filipino Excellence on the Global Scene
Source: Insta News Pinoy
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