Wen Zhou of 3.1 Phillip Lim: Friends as Mentors

Ladies Who Lead: Wen Zhou on Mentorship, Challenges, and Building 3.1 Phillip Lim

In our “Ladies Who Lead” series, female leaders in luxury and fashion share their journeys to success and valuable lessons learned. Here, Wen Zhou, CEO of 3.1 Phillip Lim, recounts her career beginnings, overcoming challenges, and offers advice for aspiring leaders.

How did you come to join 3.1 Phillip Lim?

I met Phillip over 20 years ago when I was a young entrepreneur with a fabrics business, and he was a designer in Los Angeles purchasing materials from me. Recognizing his immense talent, we became friends over several seasons. Eventually, Phillip sought a change, and I convinced him, almost on a whim, to come to New York and start a business together. Fueled by youthful naivete, hustle, and hope, we embarked on this venture without fear. Phillip bought a one-way ticket and moved into my daughter’s bedroom. That’s how 3.1 Phillip Lim began in 2004. We named the brand 3.1 because we were both 31 at the time.

What has helped sustain you throughout this journey?

I started with little experience or understanding of branding, but I’ve always trusted my gut and intuition to guide me. Over the past 20 years, incredible co-workers and passionate colleagues have inspired me with their tireless commitment and high standards. Their support has been crucial, especially during tough times. Although I’ve made mistakes along the way, I’ve never regretted the people I’ve trusted to be part of this team.

Were there any challenges you faced as a woman along the way?

Balancing motherhood and running a business is challenging. There’s always a struggle to give enough to work while being present for your family, leading to feelings of guilt when making tough choices. For me, family and work have always been intertwined. 3.1 Phillip Lim is a family business: my sister was our first head of production, my brother-in-law our first logistics manager, and my parents still bring us lunch. My kids grew up with the brand—my daughter was two when we started, and my son was born three years later. They attended meetings with me when childcare wasn’t available and even modeled for our kids’ line. While I never mastered balancing work and family, I’ve made peace with their connection.

What was the best advice you were given and when have you applied it?

Bruce Lee’s advice, “Be like water, my friend,” has been invaluable. This quote reminds me to stay nimble, adapt, and flow through challenges.

Re-reported the article originally published in Tatler.