Fernanda Rigon - Philipp Plein`s in Brazil

Todays interview is with Fernanda Rigon.

Having spent her earlier years with Philipp Plein as his Partner, the model turned businesswoman and the designer share a son Romeo, aged 9 ,together and have continued working on the brand. Now married and also mother to a daughter, Fernanda is the director of the Philipp Plein brand in Brazil.

FMNYC - Can you tell us about your journey into the modeling industry and how you transitioned into business?

FERNANDA RIGON - As a model I’ve worked and lived in a lot of different countries . I met a lot of people , and in face of that, I realized that I wanted to work with fashion for my whole life. Then in 2008 I met Philipp Plein in Milan , and started to see the day by day of how to build a brand from the design to opening a store . I could follow and learn every single step of it and realized that it was what I've born to work.

FMNYC - What inspired you to start your own business?

FERNANDA RIGON - It was always a dream to bring the brand to Brazil. I always thought our market needed a special brand with our DNA here . I wanted to give the public the opportunity to buy it here in Brazil.

FMNYC - How do you balance your modeling career with your business responsibilities? FERNANDA RIGON -Nowadays I’m not modeling anymore … No time for it Lol . Just shooting when it’s something regarding the brand , as this beautiful shooting for the magazine.

FMNYC - What challenges have you faced as a woman in the business world and how have you overcome them?

FERNANDA RIGON - It's difficult because people have a little less respect when it's a woman-owned company at first. If you are not prepared, the market will swallow you. But I believe that If you show them you can “do it” after that you become even more powerful.

FMNYC - Can you share some of the strategies you've used to build your career? FERNANDA RIGON -First of all , doing something that I really love to do. I’m always trying to learn , study and be aware of everything that happens in the company.

FMNYC - How has your experience in modeling influenced your approach to business? FERNANDA RIGON -I believe that everything we do in life we learned and we have to take the best benefit of it . while Modeling I realized that I wanted to do something in fashion, either related to designing or producing. I wanted a job that I could travel a lot , meet different people all the time , and never have a routine day of work. I studied for both and at the end I became a director of a brand abroad .

FMNYC - What advice would you give to young women who aspire to follow in your footsteps?

FERNANDA RIGON -Dream big. work hard. Do your best . Believe in yourself . Never give up and believe in your dreams . With passion and love we can do everything that we’ve dreamed . of course it will be a lot of difficulties on the way but we can’t give up.

FMNYC - Can you tell us about a time when you faced a significant setback and how you handled it?

FERNANDA RIGON -there are several, but none significant enough that you would have to start from 0. But the thing is to always think that problems come to teach you something! So you always try to think positive, see what that situation wants to teach you and go for it.

FMNYC - How do you manage the pressures and expectations that come with being in the public eye?

FERNANDA RIGON - Things may seem perfect on the outside, but you never know what's really going on. Nowadays I’m trying to be stronger and taking away my peace of mind is not easy. It's costing a lot of work, I don't even look around Because, stop and think: you are there doing whatever, that is putting you in a position to be criticized... You had the courage to leave your house, run the risk of being criticized, take the risk of failing, you exposed yourself to vulnerability or succeeding, whether applauded or not.

FMNYC - How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

FERNANDA RIGON - It’s not easy to stay motivated everyday , as every person I have good and bad days … I like to do Yoga and connect myself with the universe. Every human beeing has good and bad days but in general tips on staying motivated and focused for me are: ⁃ define my objectives to give myself a straight way to think. ⁃ Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Divide larger goals into manageable tasks to make progress feel achievable. -Stay Organized: Using tools like to-do lists, calendars, or project management apps to keep track of my tasks and deadlines. ⁃ Find Inspiration: Surrounding myself with sources of inspiration, whether it's quotes, role models, or supportive friends and colleagues. -Reward Myself Celebrating my achievements, even small ones, to maintain motivation. ⁃ Being Flexible: Adapt to changes and setbacks, and be willing to adjust my goals if necessary. -Take Breaks: Regular breaks with my family over the weekend.

FMNYC - What are some upcoming projects or plans you have for your career?

FERNANDA RIGON -We will open more stores of Philipp Plein and as a brand director here I’m the one in charge of taking care of it . So the plan is to raise the brand here to be a long way of success .

FMNYC - How do you maintain a healthy work-life and family balance?

FERNANDA RIGON - I’m married and I have 2 kids so it’s not easy at all. Lol Of course as a mom I feel sometimes “guilty” not to be always present with my kids or even with my husband but I always try my best to be next to them. sometimes we travel together for the weekend , we go to the beach because we live in Rio. We do barbecues at home . My family is everything for me , but I’m building my professional dream , and my time is NOW.

FMNYC - What are some of the key lessons you've learned from your journey so far? FERNANDA RIGON -The most important thing in my opinion is like the old saying: “what goes around , comes around “. I’ve always treated people with respect and equality . For me everyone is important , doesn’t matter what is his/her role in a company for example . If you give respect , people will respect you back. If you give good energy it will be back to you .

FMNYC - How do you handle criticism and rejection, both in modeling and business? FERNANDA RIGON - This is part of the game . Not even Jesus pleased everyone , how it will happen with me ? I always say that it’s easy to criticize someone when you have no idea how much effort this person did to get where she did. So , I really don’t care . I try my best , but at the end we live in a difficult world where it is easier to criticize instead of working hard and following your dreams.

FMNYC - Can you share some of the ways you've innovated or adapted your business in response to industry trends or changes?

FERNANDA RIGON - I have always been very attentive to crises and the opportunities that luck gives me. I always say I was very lucky, but luck always found me working. Fashion is always changing and we cannot stop . We have to know our clients , give them not only a product to buy, but an experience to live . Philipp Plein as a brand started to sell online and on the stores with bitcoin. we have our Plein metaverse with games , events , fashion show … we developed the 3D videos for NFT sunglasses and shoes … You need to innovate all the time . we can’t stop.

FMNYC - How do you define success for yourself, both personally and professionally?

FERNANDA RIGON - Since my childhood I was never satisfied with my goals. I always wanted more and more . But sucess is to be happy, what makes you really happy. For me it is working hard and having results as I am doing at the moment! And, obviously, having my family on my side . Thanks to my parents they always showed me how important the family is in our life .

FMNYC - What's the best piece of advice you've ever received and how has it influenced your career?

FERNANDA RIGON - Make things happen instead of waiting. Successful people don't deal well with lazy and unprofessional people. They realized that waiting for their dreams to come true only lead to wasted time. Instead of complaining about unexpected situations, these individuals discover ways to overcome challenges. Successful people don't stick to excuses, but strive to make their ideas become reality.

ABOUT FERNANDA RIGON

Partner and director of the brand in Brazil, ex famous model Fernanda Rigon was one of those responsible for the growth of the luxury brand founded, in 2004, by the designer Philipp Plein, ex-partner, she is the mother of his first-born son, Romeo, aged 9. Fernanda is married and is the mother of Maria Eduarda .