Johannesburg-based lifestyle Manager for Martell, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët, Mini Cooper SA, Pringle of Scotland and Ben Sherman is the happiest person you’ll ever cross paths with. Meet ZandoMAN Hussain Van Ross.
Follow him on Instagram: @hussainvanroos
Describe yourself in one line
The happiest person you’ll ever find.
How does your day inform your style?
I do attend a lot of meetings, but I want to be able to walk out of the boardroom and go and grab a drink so I don’t want to be in a suit and tie. If I am wearing a suit, I go casual on the shoes or wear a T-shirt with a blazer. My off-duty personal style is very different, on most Saturdays you’ll find me in full on athleisure wear, head-to-toe tracksuit.
Does music influence your style?
It definitely does! Lately, I’ve been following Kanye’s Sunday Service, so every Monday I go and see what colourway he was working with and listen to the music they were playing and I’ll be influenced.
Do you think a lot about how you project yourself on social media?
Not really. If I see a good picture of myself, I’ll post it. It’s a good mix of work and personal life.
So not every picture is curated?
Nah, I don’t like it when a feed looks curated and it’s a certain colour. I don’t like that, there’s no life in that, and it’s too cold.
What would you like your bio to say in 20 years’ time?
Whooo, hooo, in 20 years… I was actually having this conversation recently and in 5 years I actually see myself in Paris, living and working.
Why Paris?
There’s just something about Paris, man. I’ve been there 3 times and every time it shows me something different. I have even been taking French lessons, but in 20 years; Marketing Mogul.
What will you definitely be adding to your wardrobe this winter?
A lot more comfy sweater, in cosy textures and in pastels and leaf green hues.
If money wasn’t a factor, what’s one piece you’d buy yourself?
The loafers from Chanel-Pharrell collection, I’d own every colour. They would be my go-to pair of shoes for every occasion. Pharrell is one of the guys I look up to when it comes to style. Not fashion, style.
You travel often, what’s one grooming product you cannot leave behind?
Beard oil! I never leave the house without it.
What do you wear when you need to walk into a room and feel confident?
My smile.
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