Stories at
WE Fashion
"My goal is to immerse customers into the world of WE®. That's what I do all of this for."
Gert Makkinga, VM & Concept Manager Europe
"My goal is to immerse customers into the world of WE®. That's what I do all of this for."
Gert Makkinga, VM & Concept Manager Europe
Ready for a challenge
"WE® is an innovative rollercoaster," Gert Makkinga, VM & Concept Manager Europe at WE Fashion, begins. "The organisation has a strong focus on growth and development, an eye for trends and a drive to achieve the best results," he continues. Thus, it’s this vision and mentality that made Gert switch to WE® years ago. "Back then, I was looking for a position where I'd have more responsibilities, a chance to share my knowledge and the possibility to broaden my work. I found these three aspects at WE Fashion and by now, the company feels like home."
A hands-on mentality
It's 2005 when Gert first joins WE Fashion, at that time as a coordinator for the window dressers and visual merchandisers across the Netherlands. Now - years later - he operates from the headquarters and bears responsibility for a much bigger picture: "My business card says VM & Concept Manager Europe, quite a mouthful," Gert says. "Simply put, I’m in charge of the operational aspect of visual merchandising in all our European stores. I contribute to the decoration of our shop windows, brainstorm on the presentation of our collections and choose the best layout for the stores. One can think of choosing the right mannequins or hangers." In addition, Gert also contributes to new concepts for the stores, instructing external architects on the presentation requirements of the collections, providing informative training and supervising the VM team and store staff during store openings. Gert: "Quite a hefty range of tasks, but that's what makes my job extra fun."
Ready for a challenge
"WE® is an innovative rollercoaster," Gert Makkinga, VM & Concept Manager Europe at WE Fashion, begins. "The organisation has a strong focus on growth and development, an eye for trends and a drive to achieve the best results," he continues. Thus, it’s this vision and mentality that made Gert switch to WE® years ago. "Back then, I was looking for a position where I'd have more responsibilities, a chance to share my knowledge and the possibility to broaden my work. I found these three aspects at WE Fashion and by now, the company feels like home."
A hands-on mentality
It's 2005 when Gert first joins WE Fashion, at that time as a coordinator for the window dressers and visual merchandisers across the Netherlands. Now - years later - he operates from the headquarters and bears responsibility for a much bigger picture: "My business card says VM & Concept Manager Europe, quite a mouthful," Gert says. "Simply put, I’m in charge of the operational aspect of visual merchandising in all our European stores. I contribute to the decoration of our shop windows, brainstorm on the presentation of our collections and choose the best layout for the stores. One can think of choosing the right mannequins or hangers." In addition, Gert also contributes to new concepts for the stores, instructing external architects on the presentation requirements of the collections, providing informative training and supervising the VM team and store staff during store openings. Gert: "Quite a hefty range of tasks, but that's what makes my job extra fun."
"We move with the trends and put out great items, but not everybody knows that yet. So, one of my main motivations is to raise awareness of our collections and stores, so that everyone knows just how great WE® is."
"We move with the trends and put out great items, but not everybody knows that yet. So, one of my main motivations is to raise awareness of our collections and stores, so that everyone knows just how great WE® is."
Motivation
"WE® is like a best kept secret to me. We move with the trends and put out great items, but not everyone knows that yet. So, one my main motivations is to raise awareness of our collections and stores, so that everyone knows just how great WE® is." Gert says. Besides this, he likes to add to the translation of the WE® brand: "Every store is different, but they all have to tell the same story. To make that happen, one needs the right knowledge, motivation and team spirit. It really surprises me how often ideas – no matter from whom or from which layer of the company they come – are embraced by everyone. We move fast, which is why we’re able to create something great time after time." Finally, diversity and inclusiveness are important focal points to Gert. According to him, the belief in the power of cooperation can be felt in everything. Gert: "Here, anyone is welcome, the organisation really feels like family. There’s no you or me, but we are better together."
The future
Gert positively looks back on the past few years and is excited for what the future holds. "WE® has not only taught me a lot in terms of professional expertise, but also made me realise that I – as a person – have grown a great deal. I knew I could do visual merchandising, but I’ve also become a lot more confident in transferring my knowledge." As for the future, he says the following: "What that will look like, I don't know yet, but I definitely see myself at WE Fashion until my retirement. I've been working here for so long now and have never been bored for a moment. WE® is the place for creativity, knowledge, positivity and the place where I feel at home."
Motivation
"WE® is like a best kept secret to me. We move with the trends and put out great items, but not everyone knows that yet. So, one my main motivations is to raise awareness of our collections and stores, so that everyone knows just how great WE® is." Gert says. Besides this, he likes to add to the translation of the WE® brand: "Every store is different, but they all have to tell the same story. To make that happen, one needs the right knowledge, motivation and team spirit. It really surprises me how often ideas – no matter from whom or from which layer of the company they come – are embraced by everyone. We move fast, which is why we’re able to create something great time after time." Finally, diversity and inclusiveness are important focal points to Gert. According to him, the belief in the power of cooperation can be felt in everything. Gert: "Here, anyone is welcome, the organisation really feels like family. There’s no you or me, but we are better together."
The future
Gert positively looks back on the past few years and is excited for what the future holds. "WE® has not only taught me a lot in terms of professional expertise, but also made me realise that I – as a person – have grown a great deal. I knew I could do visual merchandising, but I’ve also become a lot more confident in transferring my knowledge." As for the future, he says the following: "What that will look like, I don't know yet, but I definitely see myself at WE Fashion until my retirement. I've been working here for so long now and have never been bored for a moment. WE® is the place for creativity, knowledge, positivity and the place where I feel at home."
TRENDING STORIES
Meet Marije, Buyer
Marije has been working at WE Fashion for three years and knows all the ins and outs of buying: "It's important to keep your eyes open, observe what's happening in the market and translate these outcomes - together with current sales results - into a new and even better collection. In all this communication and teamwork are key."
Meet Shannon, Merchandiser
Shannon has completely settled in at WE®: “I’ve been promoted several times. I believe that anything is possible, as long as you are eager to learn.”
Meet Patrick, European Marketing Director
Patrick is a big believer in teamwork and very proud of his team: "I love working with them to develop an idea, starting with little more than a piece of paper and a pencil."
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