Bren Wong, Design Lead Menswear, talks about her motivation and the goal to be inclusive by design.
How would you describe your experience of designing at Zalando?
I’ve worked in Menswear Design for over 15 years, from designer brands like Tommy Hilfiger to mass market retailers like KMART, and for the last 5½ years here at Zalando. I oversee brand/product direction for Men's textiles, footwear, and accessories.
For a fashion designer, it’s a completely unique place to work. We get a lot of data, so we can really zoom in on who our customers are and what interests them. The challenge — and fun — for us is not only to fulfill the customer’s needs but to delight them with inspirations and designs that they love.
Besides trend inspirations, we also think about sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. We ensure our products meet high sustainability standards in the way they’re designed and made. To be the ‘Starting Point of Fashion’, we strive to be inclusive by design, and we’re thoughtful and considerate with every design decision we make.
Zalando is such an industry leader in technology, data, and innovation as well as driving positive changes for the industry and society at large — that’s why I find this company so fascinating to work for, and what makes my everyday work a unique experience.
Can you give us an example of an innovative project you’re working on?
Inclusivity is hugely important for Zalando, and one of the ways we’re driving this is through offering genderless product choices. Through product designs, we speak to our customers’ desires for inclusivity, and to our purpose as a company: to re-imagine fashion for the good of all. We’re continuously learning and working to challenge beauty and fashion stereotypes on behalf of our customers. We want to ensure we offer a welcoming space for all to discover and express their individuality.
In terms of pioneering sustainability, we receive a lot of guidance from the company’s central team. Our private label, Zign, is our sustainability lighthouse brand where we drive the latest innovation. ‘Circularity’ is the main watchword lately when it comes to sustainable fashion, so our team is learning all about it. Most crucially, it’s about moving away from the linear ‘take-make-dispose’ model and towards a new economy where everything circulates through, in order to minimize our impact on the planet.
What else sets Zalando apart as a place to work?
It’s a super agile and ambitious company. The operational plan is very open, so we’re all working towards shared objectives. For a company this size and complex, I think it’s impressive that we’re so clear on our vision and actionable plans. This ensures our everyday work is focused and contributes towards achieving the same goals.
At Zalando, it’s all about collaboration — I work with such diverse teams. With so many great people around, you are inspired to connect, which expands my scope as a designer. There’s an open feedback culture here, and little sense of hierarchy. We’re always picking up new projects, often with no idea how to start in the beginning. With curiosity and great teamwork, we always figure things out. This makes it a challenging and fascinating place to work — you certainly never get the same day twice!
Tell us a bit more about your team and what a new joiner might expect.
We have 7 designers on my team currently. We work hard but also have fun doing what we do, which is important too. I see building our brands, and creating designs with my team as well as team development as a big part of my role — I look for ambition, commitment, and a result-driven mindset in the people I hire.
At Zalando, everyone is in the driver’s seat with their own development — the leads regularly share feedback, guidance, and support everyone to get to where they’d like to be. I hope new joiners will embrace that sense of autonomy and entrepreneurship, and be excited about working for one of the most dynamic fashion tech companies in the world.
