a short AUTObiography.
My name’s Christian Barker. I was born in Melbourne and grew up in Sydney, Australia. My career began back in the late 1990s, working for record labels — promoting electronic / dance and hip-hop / rap music, for the most part. Good times. When the music industry started its slide around the turn of the century (thanks a bunch, Napster), I took a sideways step into media. That’s where I’ve hung my shingle ever since.
In print and online, I’ve covered luxury lifestyle, travel, culture, craftsmanship, design, entertainment, fashion, business, start-ups and entrepreneurship for two decades. During that time, I’ve held senior editorial roles at publications and websites in Australia, the United Kingdom and Singapore.
A decade ago, I established the Webby award-winning digital platform Billionaire.com (cringe name, I know), where I led the business as CEO and editor-in-chief. Prior to that, I served as founding editor-in-chief at the ‘bible’ of classic men’s style, The Rake magazine. Today, I’m a regular contributor to Esquire Singapore, Tatler, Travel+Leisure, the South China Morning Post, Forbes Asia, and the Rolls-Royce owners’ app Whispers, among others.
Before joining The Rake back in 2008, I was one of the founding editors of highly successful pan-Asian men’s lifestyle publication, August Man. My writing has appeared in an array of prominent media including The Financial Times ‘How To Spend It’, Senatus, Robb Report, BBC, Vogue Men China, GQ Australia, Channel News Asia and CNBC.
I also recently launched my own platform dedicated to art and artisans, celebrating passionate craftsmanship and creativity in all its forms: JourneysInArtistry.com
As a youngster, I wanted to be a war correspondent, but now find I’m quite content reporting from the five-star frontline, thank you very much. I’m passionate about unique experiences and authentic luxury, and champion legitimate, traditional craftsmanship in all its forms. Equally, I’m excited by innovative entrepreneurship and tech’s potential to change the world for the better. Individuals and organisations conscious of sustainability and corporate social responsibility particularly pique my interest.
In addition to my editorial work, I operate a boutique corporate content agency, BUCU Inc. We’ve created tailored content across a diverse range a topics — from luxury, fashion and hospitality, through real estate and robotics, economics and critical infrastructure, to shipping, fintech and security. Bespoke content created by BUCU Inc. has been published in titles including the Business Times, Entrepreneur.com, CNBC, CNA, E27, Forbes, Lloyd’s List and the New York Times.
I’ve lived in Singapore since 2005 and am a Permanent Resident of this city-state. I am the father of two beautiful daughters — and when it comes to Dad Jokes, like a scarecrow, I’m outstanding in the field. I love great food and wine, sharp tailoring and old-school sneakers (though rarely in unison), Noir cinema and literature, obscure disco music and classic hip-hop, travel (preferably to sunny seaside spots), art as a passion, painting as a meditative pastime, polo as a spectator, and skateboarding with great care.
Any questions? Contact me on christian@cbbarker.com
Selected published work
Tatler Hong Kong [link] // The Rake [link] // Forbes Asia [link] // Travel + Leisure [link] // Esquire Singapore [link] // The South China Morning Post [link] // Channel News Asia [link] // Cathay Discovery [link] // CNBC [link] // The Financial Times ‘How To Spend It’ [link] // Robb Report Australia [link]
Selected interviewees
BUSINESS: Harry Triguboff (founder, Meriton), Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest (philanthropist and founder, Fortesque Metals Group), Christopher J Burch (founder, Burch Creative Capital and cofounder, Tory Burch), Domenico De Sole (CEO / cofounder, Tom Ford), Thierry Stern (president, Patek Philippe), Wolf Blass (founder, Wolf Blass Wines), Alain Ducasse (chef / restaurateur), Georges Kern (CEO, Breitling), Patrizio Di Marco (CEO, Gucci), Jean-Claude Biver (president, LVMH Watchmaking and ex-CEO of TAG Heuer and Hublot), Jean-Georges Vongerichten (chef / restaurateur), Maximilian Busser (creative director, MB&F), Gildo Zegna (CEO, Ermenegildo Zegna)
FASHION & DESIGN: Kim Jones (creative director, Dior Homme), Paul Smith (designer / founder, Paul Smith), Diane Von Furstenberg (designer / founder, DVF), Marc Newson (designer), Alessandro Sartori (creative director, Ermenegildo Zegna), Pinky Lai (head of design, Porsche), Alan Flusser (designer, tailor and author), Kris Van Assche (creative director, Berluti)
FILM, TV & MUSIC: Oliver Stone (director), Clive Owen (actor), Alicia Keys (musician), David Foster (musician, songwriter and producer), Ken Watanabe (actor), Stevie Wonder (musician), Kevin Spacey (actor), John Legend (musician), Sia (musician), Michelle Yeoh (actor), The Chemical Brothers (musicians), Joel Edgerton (actor), Depeche Mode (musicians), Natalie Imbruglia (musician and actor), Herbie Hancock (musician), Jesse Saunders (musician), Air (musicians), Stone Roses (musicians), Underworld (musicians), Melissa George (actor), Groove Armada (musicians), Arthur Baker (artist / producer), Chow Yun-fat (actor), Basement Jaxx (musicians), Jamiroquai (musicians), Massive Attack (musicians), Anthony Bourdain (chef, presenter and author), Moby (musician), New Order (musicians), Primal Scream (musicians), Beastie Boys (musicians), Daft Punk (musicians)
SPORTS: David Beckham (footballer), Caroline Wozniacki (tennis player), Romain Grosjean (Formula 1 driver), Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1 driver), Fernando Alonso (Formula 1 driver), Nacho Figueras (polo player)