Style Inspo: Leveling up to be a modern gentleman
Plug into Clarke Quay’s retro arcade bar, Level Up with Co-founder and 2018 AUGUSTMAN A-Lister, Mark Huang
A manifesto that has been around for some time now. Many people have declared the death of chivalry by attributing it to the rising power of women, rightfully so, but there seems to be more to it.
While good etiquette used to an important lesson a man could learn to set him up for success in the social and professional areas of life, the act of being a gentleman today is more often perceived as outdated and unnatural.
Could it also be due to the social norms of modern society from the likes of cutting to the chase with mobile dating app Tinder, to the adoption of cashless payments?
Hey (Tinder date), shall we split the bill? You can PayNow or PayLah me. 😉
With that in mind, we explore the traits and mannerism of a modern gentleman with Mark Huang, who is a part of AUGUSTMAN’s The A-List 2018 batch, and Co-Founder of the retro arcade bar Level Up.
What does it take to be a modern gentleman?
Humility and a sense of humour with the ability to adapt to any situation you find yourself in.
Take us through your everyday style rules.
A cleanly pressed black or white T shirt coupled with a pair of comfy pants.
Could you share with us some tips on how to make a good first impression?
Be confident in yourself and always try to find common ground with whoever you are trying to talk to.
“I took almost eight years to find what I truly wanted to do. You need to have passion for your work. It is the only way you will be willing to make the sacrifices.”
Check out the buzz at Clarke Quay's Level Up. We hear that it has been refreshed with new game machines, and good deals are on offer including one-for-one drinks for Ladies night on Wednesdays.
What advice would you give to someone who is starting out in his career – how can they ‘level up’?
I took almost eight years to find what I truly wanted to do. You need to have passion for your work.
It is the only way you will be willing to make the sacrifices. I put in 16-hour days with no complaints because I enjoy the work that I do.
At the end of the day, you need to ask yourself, "Do I dread going to work or do I look forward to going to work?".
What are three items that you always travel with?
Mobile phone/laptop/chargers for both, but I think it’s mainly because I’m too much of a workaholic.
List three of your go-to places for retail therapy.
Mr Porter, Lazada and ION Orchard.
Who do you look up to as a role model/fashion inspiration?
It would probably be people who wear the same outfit every day and accomplish so much in their lives.
Role models and fashion inspirations at the same time. Folks like Mark Zuckerberg and the late Steve Jobs.
Simplicity at its best.
Insta-worthy moments at Clarke Quay's Level Up. Share your amazing snaps with us at @CapitaLand and #CapitaLand!
Share with us your aspirations for Level Up. What’s next?
Level Up came into the night scene as a bold and fresh new concept. Maintaining that freshness is the key.
We aim to always offer new and exciting experiences for our customers. For example, we recently updated our retro game offerings and will continue do so.
Furthermore, we are always looking to improve our food and drinks and are always on the lookout for suitable bands that will keep the crowds entertained.
Tell us your experience being a part of The AUGUSTMAN A-List.
It has been such an incredible experience.
I learnt a lot interacting with the 11 other gentlemen, all of whom are experts in their chosen fields and who all have diverse backgrounds. I would never be able to meet them otherwise.
From entrepreneurship to the corporate world, their stories were different but I realised the same values ran through all of us. It sounds silly but I think what I learnt the most from them was in keeping a work life balance, something that I currently don’t adhere to.
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Editor’s note:
We hope you enjoyed this month’s MANDATORY issue. It’s high time to ‘man up’ and make a difference for the good of everyone.
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