Mate Li: From finance grad to Chinese fashion icon

How does a finance graduate from China’s prestigious Tsinghua University become one of the country’s most influential male fashion voices? For Mate Li (李馬特), the journey from economics student to style authority reveals a path as thoughtfully curated as his outfits. Born in 1996 in Xiamen, Li once aspired to be a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His academic trajectory seemed set — an undergraduate degree in international politics followed by a master’s in international finance from Tsinghua’s School of Economics and Management in 2020. But a research assignment on emerging social platforms would unexpectedly alter his course. In February 2019, while analyzing influencer ecosystems for his private equity internship, Li created his own Xiaohongshu (also known as RedNote) account. As one of the platform’s first male fashion creators, he began documenting his distinctive style through photos and, later, videos. “I thought finance might not be my final destination,” he tells Jing Daily. “Since I was also passionate about content, I gave myself two years to pursue both and see which path suited me better.” What started as a side project soon gained momentum. Known for transforming basic pieces into editorial-worthy looks, Li became a pioneer in men’s fashion content on Chinese social media. Today, he collaborates with luxury brands like Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Prada while creating thoughtful content that extends beyond style to include career advice, social issues, and cultural commentary. “I don’t want to be seen as just ‘a guy who dresses well,’” he says. “I want to use content to express how I think.” Jing Daily: How would you divide the different stages of your journey? Mate Li: The first stage began in 2019, when I officially stepped into the world of content creation. At the time, it was entirely interest-driven — I simply wanted to document and share my personal style and everyday outfits. The content was mostly photo-based, relaxed and unpolished, but it resonated with a small group of people. Gradually, that following grew to around 50,000. That was the foundation of everything — my starting point. The second stage started in 2020, when I began shifting from photo to video. At first, I was extremely uncomfortable in front of the camera. But as I kept experimenting — especially with commentary-style videos and career advice — my following started to grow more rapidly. By 2021, I had settled into a clear direction with men’s OOTD (Outfit of the Day) videos at the core. I also expanded to Douyin and Instagram, becoming one of the earlier male fashion creators to build a multi-platform presence. During this stage, my follower count surpassed 350,000. The third stage began in 2024. In this phase, I’ve been focused on presenting a more multidimensional version of myself — someone with perspective, not just style. Beyond daily outfits, I started creating commentary content that connects fashion with film, pop culture, and current events. I’m trying to bring more range and reflection into the work — something that moves with real life, but also invites emotional resonance and thought. Each of these stages helped me realize that content creation isn’t just about personal style. It’s about shaping identity and building connections. JD: How did becoming a fashion influencer change you? ML: I’ve become more confident. I wasn’t always like this. I used to be hard on myself and constantly sought external validation. But as my content gained support from followers, I began to recognize my own value — and that was the beginning of a deeper, internal confidence. I no longer rely on other people’s approval the way I once did. That shift — from seeking outward affirmation to cultivating self-belief — has been the most profound change this path has brought me. JD: What has your experience given you in terms of perspective or advantage? ML: At its core, being a content creator is about communicating information. You need sharp instincts — the ability to spot emerging trends, interpret them, and turn them into something meaningful. I think of this as a kind of “commercial sensitivity.” My background in finance helped develop that skill. It trained me to quickly absorb, analyze, and synthesize new information. It also gave me a more strategic mindset — one that looks ahead, evaluates risk, and responds quickly. That kind of thinking helps when I’m dealing with a flood of trends or cultural shifts; I can sort through the noise and present what matters in a way that feels clear and engaging to the audience. JD: What qualities make a good content creator? ML: The first thing is exactly what I just mentioned — commercial sensitivity. You need to be able to respond quickly to new ideas, absorb them fast, and reinterpret them through your own voice. The second is strong self-motivation. Most content creators don’t have a boss. You are your own manager. Without internal drive and discipline, it’s almost impossible to keep producing consistent, high-quality content over time. JD: Do you ever feel anxious about engagement or views? ML: What I worry about most isn’t traffic itself, but how to strike the right balance between content and commercial partnerships. The relationship between platforms and creators can feel like a love-hate dynamic — we depend on each other, but the push for monetization can sometimes come at the cost of creativity and authenticity. The irony is that people follow you because of the quality of your content. Lose that, and you lose the reason they came in the first place. JD: If you had to choose three favorite brands, which would you pick — and why? ML: Prada, Dior, and Loewe. Prada has always drawn me in with its avant-garde spirit. Its “ugly chic” aesthetic and that sense of effortless strength in its silhouettes are endlessly compelling. At the same time, the brand performs exceptionally well on a business level, with steady, consistent growth. Dior, on the other hand, impresses me with how it balances heritage and innovation. The brand’s deep cultural roots and craftsmanship allow it to preserve its essence while still embracing contemporary creativity. That ability to live in both worlds — classic and modern — is rare. As for Loewe, my appreciation comes largely from my respect for Jonathan Anderson. What he’s brought to the brand — the infusion of contemporary art and design — feels fresh and unexpected. Last year’s large-scale exhibition in Shanghai left a deep impression on me. It showed how fully realized Loewe’s aesthetic world has become. JD: You regularly attend fashion weeks. How do you think they’ve changed over the years? ML: They feel very different now — more relaxed, more interactive. In the past, it was all about watching the shows, taking photos, rushing from one venue to the next. But with the rise of KOLs and decentralized platforms like Xiaohongshu, Douyin, and TikTok, the content has become lighter, more immediate. A short video can be filmed and uploaded on the spot. This shift makes the experience feel more spontaneous, more human. For example, I once showed up to a show wearing the same outfit as another creator from abroad. Instead of it being awkward, we shot a fun little video about it. That kind of moment wouldn’t have happened a few years ago. JD: Have you had a particularly memorable brand collaboration? ML: Last year, I worked with Dior during its “Gold of Dior” exhibition in Beijing. As part of the campaign, I hosted a fan meetup and planned to guide over 40 guests through the show. What we didn’t know until the day of the event was that one of the attendees was deaf — something that hadn’t been mentioned in advance. I immediately spoke with the Dior PR team and decided to take him through the exhibition early, one-on-one, to ensure he had a meaningful experience. Even though we couldn’t communicate verbally, we connected through visuals and written words. Seeing how moved he was reminded me why this work matters. It’s not just about creating content. It’s about connecting people—and sharing emotion in ways that sometimes go beyond language.

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Mate Li: From finance grad to Chinese fashion icon