Tell us about yourself.
I'm Ben Guo and I'm 40. I was born and raised in Shanghai. My parents used to work in the textile industry so I've been involved in the business for quite a long time.
When I was younger, I lived in Europe for a while and visited concept stores in Berlin, Paris and Milan full of young, unique brands and designers. I wanted to bring this idea to Shanghai. Until I opened GLOSSY, my first store, back in 2004, we only really had the big global western brands in China.
Why F-ABRIC?
I travel a lot and I'm always on the look-out for new brands, products and manufacturing techniques. With its mix of materials, F-ABRIC is the most interesting idea I have ever come across. It's a completely new type of fabric.
Do you have a compost bin?
Not yet. It's about time we brought compost heaps to China.
Where should customers stop off on their way to GLOSSY?
My restaurant Soup Pot for Chinese food and Speak Low for Japanese cocktails. There are lots of amazing restaurants and stores in Xintiandi. The Bund on the banks of the river is the best place to check out the Pudong skyline.
What's your favorite thing at your store?
The M-morias shoe, hand-made by Maurizio Atelier from a single piece of goatskin.
