Edison Chen isn’t comfortable being just a businessman. He’s trying to be a business, man. Already a triple threat in Hong Kong as a model, musician, and movie star, the 25-year-old is parlaying his Far East Q-rating into corporate design opportunities with Nike, Pepsi, and Levis.

Mark Lelinwalla; Photo: Matt Doyle Edison Chen isn't comfortable being just a businessman. He's trying to be a business, man. Already a triple threat in Hong Kong as a model, musician, and movie star, the 25-year-old is parlaying his Far East Q-rating into corporate design opportunities with Nike, Pepsi, and Levi's. "We get to use cutting-edge technology and put some Chinese twang in it, so it has more flavor," says Chen.

As an entertainer, the Vancouver-born Chen is already a household name in Asia. After being discovered at age 18 in a Hong Kong nightclub, he quickly became a popular face on commercials. Soon, he was being offered movie roles, and despitehis admittedly shaky Cantonese (Chen split his childhood in Vancouver, Hong Kong, and New York), he has starred in more than 20 Asian films, including the popular Infernal Affairs trilogy. As a singer-rapper, Chen is trying to enliven Hong Kong's sugary pop scene, working with DJ Quik and Just Blaze for his upcoming album.

Even with a bustling entertainment career, Chen points to his design endeavors as what's got him excited these days. "I'm actually most comfortable doing design work because it's fully me," says Chen, whose sensibilities lie firmly in the Bathing Ape/Asian street aesthetic. His four-man team is currently redesigning three styles of Levi's jeans, working with artists to remix Pepsi cans in China, and teaming with Nike for a limited-edition Air Max 90. "They're going to have see-through panels and low-in-the-dark shit," says Chen excitedly. Ebay awaits.

Chen is already looking toward the future with his new Hong Kong clothing boutique Juice. His ultimate goal? Scoring his own Nike label. "I think in a long term way," explains Chen. "I'm trying to retire from the entertainment industry when I'm 30." He's so focused, maaan.

Home // CELEBRITIES // COMPLEX MEN // Edison Chen