enSoie

Chiara is a production assistant and textile designer in the product development department at enSoie. Sina works as a sales assistant in our store in Zurich. Although they work in different departments, they communicate a lot and feel close to each other. They talked about this during a short walk along the Limmat river.

Chiara: You work in sales and I work as a production assistant and textile designer in the enSoie Studio. When one collection hits the shelves, we are already finalising the next one. We work under the same roof and are directly involved with our products but at different stages of the process. I at the very beginning, when the idea for a product is born and develops, and you at the end when the finished product goes from the store to our customers.

Sina: Yes, exactly. It’s always very exciting for us when a new collection comes into the store. We often receive sample deliveries for you in the shop. Sometimes they are huge boxes or big rolls of fabric. That always makes us very curious. So when a collection arrives and we finally see what has been made from these fabrics, it is always a special moment.

Chiara: Usually, you don’t know what is in a new collection until very late on...

Sina: ...and I think that's a good thing! Many regular customers try to get some information or a glimpse of a new collection before it is released. So if we don't know exactly what it will look like, it is easier to stay vague and save the surprise effect for the release.

Chiara: Apart from that, we have a lively exchange. The sales team gives us feedback on what people like or which cuts customers prefer. This is very important for us in the design and development department. This feedback then flows into the design of a new collection. It's an interplay.

Sina: I think it is very nice to have this direct exchange with you. It is very fruitful. We can talk to each other, and discuss things on a good and friendly level.

Chiara: The fact that we all work under the same roof plays an important role. If you have a question from a customer, for example because a product needs to be altered or repaired, you can come upstairs to find a solution together.

Sina: There is always someone in the house who can help you. On the other hand, this exchange is also nice because we can pass on the positive feedback we receive. For example, we have a customer who visits the store regularly. She rarely buys anything. But she recently told me that the store, its special atmosphere, and the beauty of the products give her energy. I thought that was very lovely and personal. I like to pass this kind of feedback on to the team responsible. In this case, to the women in charge of our visual merchandising.

Chiara: That is so important!

Sina: Yes. We all have a role to play.

Chiara: Behind a new collection is not only the team that creates it but also the visual merchandise team that displays the products and a competent sales team that advises our customers. The right presentation and good customer advice are just as important as a good cut.