Alexander Alonso is the General Manager of BD Benelux, a medical technology company making waves in the healthcare sector. This giant in medical technology creates innovative solutions such as automated systems and robots for laboratories and pharmacies, as well as products aimed at improving surgical and medical procedures. Mathematically, 35 of the company's products are used every second in Belgium. And that demands a General Manager with talent and passion. In an interview, he reveals his 400% passion: the clothes make the man.
I love discovering new things and pushing boundaries. Call it a passion.
PASSION FOR CLOTHING, SPORTS, AND CULINARY DELIGHTS
At seventeen, Alexander left sunny Tenerife for Belgium, where he studied and built a career at BD Benelux, rising from medical representative to General Manager. His passions are numerous: family, gastronomy, cycling, stylish clothing, and Rolex watches. Alonso explains: “I love discovering new things and pushing boundaries. Call it passion. I like to take my time at one specific restaurant; for example, I recently visited the Michelin-starred restaurant
DiverXo in Madrid for a top-notch culinary experience. In Belgium, I can also truly enjoy our excellent restaurants, such as Benoit & Bernard De Witte in Zingem.”
Alexander also cycles daily and proudly runs the Shifting Gears Strategica team. When he's not at a restaurant, he's conjuring up the most delicious dishes himself. In everything he does, Alexander exudes taste, ambition, and a touch of Spanish flair. “It has been proven that clothing strengthens personal branding and tells a success story.”
A CUSTOM-MADE SUIT TELLS A SUCCESS STORY
For custom clothing, Alexander relies on the expertise of Philip Vanderschelden (Phil’Suits). Together, they brainstorm on a unique suit, shirt, coat, and even shoes and accessories, fully tailored to Alexander’s personal style and image. “It’s proven that clothing strengthens personal branding and tells a success story,” Alonso emphasizes enthusiastically. “There will always be something special about my clothes, just think of the choice of fabric, such as cashmere or seersucker, or the finishing touches with details like a discreet quote under the collar.” For him, this is pure experience. He even inspires friends to design personalized suits in luxurious fabrics together. With a keen eye for detail, each garment isn’t simply measured, but truly co-created: a unique story of fabric and style.
“He incorporates this information into a comfortable and unique custom-made outfit to create a perfect style that suits me, for any occasion.”
PHIL’SUITS CREATES A STYLE THAT SUITS ME
“Philip is someone who comes to my home, even to me. He takes the time to be present in my surroundings, in an informal setting, to immerse himself in my world and personality. He incorporates this information into a comfortable and unique custom-made outfit, creating a perfect style that suits me, for any occasion,” the General Manager explains the secret of a bespoke suit. “I don't like wearing different styles at events or occasions, which I sometimes experience. I also see suits that aren't properly tailored. That's a shame. I love dressing up, and honestly, without Philip, it wouldn't be easy to make the right choices for my clothes. And he inspires me to wear more suits for special occasions and events. We should all do that more often.”
Alexander's tips for a custom-made suit:
- Have your trousers tailored to appear taller or your blazer shortened, depending on the image you want to achieve.
- Characteristic of a custom-made suit: no belt, because it's made to measure. And you can unbutton the sleeves.
- Never button the bottom button of a suit.
