Alan Namchaisiri says work is the first thing on his mind when he wakes up in the morning. It's not surprising - the man in charge of Zen Department Store's renovation has just three days to get things up and running before its scheduled reopening on Thursday, and he's on the job round the clock.

"I wish I could turn the clock back two months," says the senior vice president and head of marketing for Central Department Stores Ltd. Singaporean-born Alan also has the weight of being managing director for Zen on his shoulders, so his adrenaline levels are pretty high.

"There are details I wish I had more time to go over to make the picture a 100-per-cent perfect. Right now I see only 90 per cent of it. I can see ways to make improvements - if I can just find time to get a breath and clear my head, it will be great."

Finding the time to take a breath might be difficult though, considering what looms in Alan's future. Set to open late next year is the new Zen, five times bigger than its predecessor, with a mammoth 19-storey tower and 80,000 square metres of shopping space. Alan has a host of projects in mind for what he likes to call the "lifestyle department store", and wants to bring big names like Just Cavali, See by Chloe, Baby Jane by Cacharel and Anglomania by Viviene Westwood.

Catering to the lifestyles of others on such a scale might be a threat to your own, however.

  "Every minute is work. When you go to bars you look at how people dress, observe their trends and creativity. You have to be self-motivated and learn to play at work when you're in the competitive world of retail fashion," he says.

But Alan devotes his precious spare time to several passions. Food is the one thing he loves, Asian food in particular.

"I prefer the tastes of simple food like rice, Chinese soup and preserved eggs - traditional home cooking. That's what I can chill out on when I'm tired."

As well as food, his life is full of music. That's why every room in his house has a sound system. "I listen to anything from opera to techno music. I want music as a background for whatever mood I'm in."

And those who know him well will nod and smile when he says, "shopping is my passion". Just because his business is retail doesn't mean he stays away from the shops in his spare time. He confesses to having extra space in his home for storage as a result of his love for shopping.

"I shop for everything from home furniture to delicate jewellery. I'm always discovering new things while shopping."

He loves to recycle second-hand items, transforming them into something new with his purchases. His next project is making over an old car. There'll be no need to splash out either, just a few things to give the ride a fresh look.

Life, says Alan, is all about having a strong sense of identity, and making things more colourful and enriching.

He also travels to wherever the new trends are, and mixes work and leisure by constantly observing people's style in cities across Asia.

"Shanghai's development is very impressive - from its infrastructure right through to the shops. I went to the most beautiful Japanese restaurant there called Santori," says Alan, enthusing over how chic it was.

"I also love the energy of Hong Kong, and its crowds of trendy pedestrians with everyone from tourists to shop assistants - it makes you feel you want to dress up."

Tokyo has the same effect on him.

Though Bangkok, says Alan, can't beat the style-conscious cities he's mentioned, Southeast Asia as a region is still the trendsetter.

"Thais are ready to accept new trends - I think they're a little bit more adventurous in fashion. The media have played a big role in this change by providing lots of content and information on lifestyle and fashion."

 Alan has coined a name for these fashion pioneers. Surprise, surprise, he calls them the "Zen people".

Their numbers may not be high yet, he says, but they are growing fast.

"That's why I believe the market is big enough for us to cater to those looking for affordable fashion and the chance to experiment with style. I'm happy to live with less luxuries, and indulge more in life," says Alan, the triumphant man of retail business. 

Vipasai Niyamabha

The Nation