More Than a Team – Patrick Mans

Patrick Mans is an enthusiast with a very positive mindset. He enjoys chess, playing guitar and has a very dry sense of humour. However, he can easily become impatient when his enthusiasm kicks into overdrive about something and he wants to ‘crack on’ and get it done. Bulang and Sons is, however, his sanctuary: “At home I have my wife and five daughters, plus a cute little lady dog. Working here is a welcome environment for me to enjoys more male related stuff.”

A former CEO of an international fashion e-commerce company, Patrick is the self-proclaimed ‘Mr Data’ with an academic background at a Business School. “Bulang and Sons is as the name already suggests, is more of a family than a team. We all enjoy a good sense of humour and endless discussions about our projects. We have so much passion for everything that we do. My primary role here is to focus on brand innovation and strategic planning with Bernhard and Giacomo. My long-term plan is to become a watch expert though LOL!”

On the subject of watches, Patrick is pretty clear about what it is that he likes at the moment. “Having some gipsy blood, I always tend to like the more extreme, bling-bling, watches! Brands that I own currently are Panerai, Baltic and Frederique Constant. My dream watch though is a Rolex Daytona – what a beautiful design!”A little know fact -Patrick has been a Bulang and Sons wrist model. “I was scared of dropping or breaking it – five daughters already cost me a fortune without an expensive watch repair bill!”

Patrick’s background in fashion gives him an understanding of that side of the business and so he joined the team on a visit to Pitti Uomo in Italy – Europe’s most important men’s fashion fair. “We went searching for fashion brands to stock at Bulang and Sons. At one point I tried to take a social media picture of Bernhard, but at the moment I took the picture, he choked on his drink. We were trying to make a cool shot, but he choked and spilt his drink. That was the end of my photography career!”

When pushed for his favourite item at Bulang and Sons, he is pretty clear about his choice. “My M65 jacket is my favourite item – no question. What makes it extra special is that it was a gift from Bernhard and Giacomo. It was like a makeover of my clothing style!”