From High Tech to High Fashion:

Fortune, Jensen Huang & Our Soft Open

Author

Veronica Zhai
March 31, 2025

The Zhai Edit | A quarterly letter on bespoke sustainable luxury.

Today, I’m sharing a personal note from building Zhai—with 1 milestone, 1 lesson, and 1 event you’re invited to.

Last week, Fortune Magazine asked me:
“Why does Jensen Huang always wear a black leather jacket?”

Here’s the truth:
Powerful people don’t need loud clothes. They build a signature look—and repeat it.

CEOs don’t let themselves get lost in a crowd. A signature look becomes an extension of their story. And their edge.

If you don’t have a signature style? You’re missing an opportunity to impress by saying less.

1 LESSON: HOW I WENT FROM HIGH TECH TO HIGH FASHION

3 months ago, I left Silicon Valley to build ZHAI (my own luxury sustainable fashion brand)—no playbook, no co-founder, no investors.

Since then: $101K in sales, 7K+ followers, five-figure clients.

If I could offer just one lesson from this journey, it would be this:

Sell before you build.

I didn’t start with a collection or a pitch deck. I started with a suitcase of curated, imported pieces from Italy and sold them.

If you are starting something. I hope this helps:

Start easy, start messy, start today.

Visiting clients in Saudia Arabia

1 EVENT: SOFT OPEN IN NEW YORK

This Saturday, April 5th, I'm hosting a private first look at our Atelier Zhai showroom in New York.

It’s raw. It’s unfinished. But it’s real.
You’ll see the space before the transformation.

If you’re building something of your own, you know:
Success doesn’t happen overnight.
But progress? That’s worth celebrating.

MY INTERIOR DESIGN INSPIRATION:

Officine Universelle Bully (Paris)

Kelly Wearstler x Ulla Johnson (Los Angeles)

The Row (New York)

A Final Note

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.” ― Martha Graham

P.S. If this isn’t for you, feel free to unsubscribe anytime—no hard feelings. I promise not to spam you.

Until next time,

Veronica