For our Ladies Who Lead series, female leaders in luxury and fashion share their journeys to the top and their learnings along the way. Here, Wen Zhou, CEO of 3.1 Phillip Lim, discusses her career beginnings, overcoming challenges and advice for all
How did you come to join 3.1 Phillip Lim?
I met Phillip over 20 years ago. I was a young entrepreneur with a fabrics business and he was the designer of a brand in Los Angeles buying materials from me. I thought he was immensely talented and over the course of a few seasons, we became friends. Eventually he was looking to make a change in his life and almost on a whim, I convinced him to come to New York, to start a business together as partners. We were filled with such youthful naivete at the time, all hustle and hope without the fear. He bought a one-way ticket and moved into my daughter’s bedroom and that is how we began 3.1 Phillip Lim. We named the brand 3.1 because we were both 31 at the time, in 2004.
What has helped sustain you throughout this journey?
I started the company with very little experience or understanding of what a brand was or where we could take it, but I have always listened to my gut and followed my intuition—that is what guides me on this journey, even today. And over the course of 20 years, I have had incredible co-workers and passionate colleagues whose tireless commitment and high standards inspire me to push through when times are hard. I will say that I have made mistakes along the way of course, but not in the people who I have trusted to be part of this team.
See also: MCM's Sabine Brunner on the power of values and the importance of slowing down
Were there any challenges you faced as a woman along the way?
Being a mother while running a business is not an easy task. There is always the struggle of giving enough to work, while also being there for your family, and there is always some degree of guilt when you have to make a choice. But for me, family and work are two worlds that have always collided. 3.1 Phillip Lim is a family business. My sister was our first head of production. My brother-in-law was our first logistics manager. My mum and dad, to this day, come to the office to bring us lunch, and my kids grew up with the brand. My daughter was two years old when we started and my son was born three years later. They came to meetings with me and Phillip when I couldn't find childcare, they modelled for the kids line we had in the late aughts. I never was good at balancing work and family because the two were always connected, but I have made my peace with that.
What was the best advice you were given and when have you applied it?
The great Bruce Lee said it best: “Be like water, my friend.” This quote reminds me to always be nimble, to adapt, to flow through challenges.