JONATHAN CHEUNG LEVI’S DESIGN CHIEF
As the head of design at Levi’s, Jonathan Cheung knows that starting the day on the right foot is vital. A clean diet, fastidious exercise routine and a considered wardrobe provide the tools he needs to be as resilient as his denim
The high priest of denim shows how simple sartorial choices and workout routines can start your day on the right foot
5.45am After my alarm goes off, I have a quick stretch. I don’t eat breakfast during the week: human beings have evolved to be mentally sharper when we’re hungry. Instead, I just have some coffee.
5.55am I don’t shower the first thing in the morning – I leave it until after I’ve worked out in the evening. I was a small, skinny kid and bulking up helped me psychologically. Tabata is great for building stamina.
5.56am I’ve been buzz-cutting my hair for years, since a girl convinced me to get rid of my Liam Gallagher/bruce Lee mop. I have Wahl hair trimmers (1), which I also use on my face: it’s more robust than other shavers.
6.01am Every now and then, I check out my body composition on my Fitbit scales. Because of my intermittent fasting and clean diet, staying below 8% body fat is fairly effortless. 6.02am I use a Swiss army knife to deal with my stray hairs and nails – a great example of how good design can address our needs. I have one in nearly every room: a white one in my bathroom, to match my tiles.
6.03am After washing my face, I apply Kiehl’s Oil Eliminator moisturiser which doesn’t leave your face greasy. I also use Mother Dirt’s probiotic spray, which clears, controls and tightens my skin.
6.07am I clean my teeth with a Quip electric toothbrush
(4) – it has a clever, penlike design, with a cap that makes it stick to tiles or a mirror, so it doesn’t leave a sticky residue on your sink.
6.12am The perfect T-shirt is like a unicorn. It’s very hard to define. I go for brands like J Crew and, of course, Levi’s (5). I prefer a closer fit, as it streamlines your frame and prevents you from looking shorter. 6.14am The classic 501 (6) is my everyday pair. The design is still so popular as it evolved from a practical need (originally, the jeans were worn by gold miners over their trousers).
6.18am Trainers are my main bag. I only wear classic designs, such as Adidas Stan Smith
or Vans Pro Skate. I’m a bit older now, so I’d feel a bit too try-hard in the latest Yeezy Boosts. 6.25am One of my most prized watches is my Sinn EZM1 (8), a minimalist chronograph without subdials, made of titanium. There’s something Dieter Rams-ish about it.
6.28am Trucker and Sherpa jackets are my outerwear go-tos. I often wear vintage styles: they just get better with age, as the material becomes more lived-in and seasoned. 6.45am I walk my schnauzer, Suzy, every morning. Walking is active meditation, when your subconscious and conscious minds join the dots. It’s a crucial part of the creative process.
7.15am I have a beautiful commute across the Golden Gate Bridge. I listen to a podcast or a book summary on blinkist.com as I drive. It’s important to maximise your time.