CONSTANTLY EVOLVING

Founder of H&F Retail Concepts Jappy Gonzalez always had a clear idea of what evolution means to him while applying the same principles in curating and building his physical and digital retail outlets.

- MICA TORRES CRUZ

In 1995, when Mark 'Jappy' Gonzalez opened multi-label concept store Homme et Femme in Shangri-La Edsa Plaza, he valued being irrelevant but relevant in the retail industry.

Gonzalez effectively disrupted the fashion retail scene by product and brand curation. By stocking brands like Rick Owens to Dries Van Noten, Homme et Femme became the go-to store for people who shopped for high-end pieces to match their identity.

Ten years later, that idea of being different yet compelling instigated him to launch H&F Retail Concepts. The group currently houses luxury multibrand store UNIVERS and brings Balenciaga, Lanvin, Off-White, Fred Perry, Lanvin, Y-3, and Comme des Garçons to the Philippines.

With the foresight of what would resonate with the Filipino luxury fashion buyer, Gonzales was included in Business of Fashion's “BoF 500” list in 2017. Alongside him are fashion industry powerhouses Tom Ford, Anna Wintour, Kendall Jenner, and Alexander Wang, to name a few.

The entrepreneur is one of only three Filipinos included on the prestigious list. The other two homegrown awardees included in BoF's list are style influencer Bryan Grey Yambao (better known as “Bryanboy”) and fashion media veteran Stephen Gan, who were both awarded in 2013.