After many years working as a consultant in finance, Marilena Friedl can now finally say that she is living her dream. Her time is currently dedicated to running an online fashion magazine called the edit. She shares: “I decided it was time to pursue my long-held dream of working in the fashion industry… Our mission is to support and showcase the Swiss fashion landscape by discovering emerging labels, highlighting established brands, and providing a platform for creative voices across the industry. The diversity and talent within the Swiss fashion scene is remarkable, and we believe there is a still tremendous, untapped potential.”
For Marilena, shifting from finance to fashion is a brave act of living out a dream and paving new, undiscovered paths. “I would encourage people to actively explore their interests rather than waiting for the perfect opportunity to appear,” she says, adding: “Don’t be afraid if your career path doesn’t seem linear. Every experience teaches you something, adds a new perspective, and becomes part of your personal story. Looking back, it’s often the unexpected turns that shape who you are professionally and personally. What may seem like a detour at the time can later become one of your greatest strengths.”
1. How did you come to find your current career or life’s work?
My career started with a strong interest in business, problem-solving, and working with people. Management consulting seemed like the perfect environment to develop those skills, and over the years I had the opportunity to work with a wide range of financial services clients, mostly insurers, on strategic and operational challenges.
At the same time, I always had a strong interest in fashion. That interest grew into a desire to become more actively involved in the industry. Co-founding the edit.ch gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in the Swiss fashion ecosystem, connect with creative entrepreneurs, and better understand the industry’s opportunities and challenges.
Today, I find myself at a point where I want to combine the analytical and strategic skills I developed in consulting with work that is more closely aligned with my personal interests and values.
2. What is it about your work or career that you enjoy most?
What I enjoy most is combining analytical problem-solving with creativity and aesthetics. I genuinely enjoy working with data, developing strategies, and finding solutions to complex challenges. At the same time, I’m drawn to industries where emotion, design, and human connection matters.
That’s one of the reasons fashion appeals to me so much. Success in fashion is not only about having a strong business model; it’s also about understanding what inspires people and how brands create emotional connections. I find the combination of commercial thinking, creativity, and human behavior incredibly fascinating.
3. What do you consider to be “hazards of the job?”
For me, one of the biggest hazards is losing curiosity. Once you think you have all the answers, you stop learning and growing. I’ve always enjoyed working in environments where I’m challenged to think differently and expand my perspective.
Another hazard is becoming too focused on either creativity or analysis. The best decisions usually come from combining both. Data and logic are essential, but so are intuition, empathy, and understanding what motivates people.
4. What are the career milestones that inspire you to break the glass or mold?
One milestone was co-founding the edit. Building something from scratch and contributing to the Swiss fashion ecosystem showed me the value of creating opportunities rather than waiting for them.
Another significant milestone was deciding to leave a stable career in management consulting to pursue my childhood dream to work in the fashion industry. It meant stepping away from a well-established path and embracing uncertainty, but it also opened new possibilities and perspectives. Even though I don’t yet know exactly where this journey will take me, I feel confident that I am moving in the right direction.
5. How do you balance work and family life? What are activities that enable you to bond with family?
Achieving balance is an ongoing process for me. There are certainly times when work, personal projects, and family commitments all compete for attention. What helps me is being intentional about making time for the people who matter most to me. Spending quality time with my little daughter and my husband helps me reconnect and put things into perspective. It doesn’t have to be anything extraordinary – going on a bike ride, hiking together, or simply sharing a home-cooked meal can be incredibly meaningful.
I also believe it’s important to make time for myself. Swimming and practicing yoga help me recharge, clear my mind, and maintain both physical and mental well-being. Taking care of myself enables me to show up fully, both at work and at home.
6. How do you unwind or rewind? Any favorite spots in your current city that you consider as your me-time haven?
Unwinding is all about finding moments of calm and connection. Some of my favorite moments are surprisingly simple: going for a walk around Greifensee where I live, taking a morning swim in the lake, or enjoying a quiet break in one of my favorite cafés in the city (highly recommend Café Kunsthausbar in Zürich).
In addition, I find inspiration in reading fashion magazines and immersing myself in beautifully crafted editorials and photoshoots. These moments allow me to slow down, clear my mind, and recharge while also sparking new ideas and creativity.
7. How would you describe your personal style? What are three of your wardrobe essentials?
I would describe my personal style as timeless, elegant, and feminine.
If I had to choose three wardrobe essentials, the first would be a well-tailored long blazer. It adds structure and sophistication to almost any outfit. The second would be a cashmere sweater. I love the combination of comfort, quality, and understated luxury. The third would be a long silk skirt. I appreciate how it can be styled in many ways, from casual to more formal occasions.
8. What is a good investment piece? Kindly cite examples of pieces in your current wardrobe.
A good investment piece is something that combines quality, craftsmanship,versatility, and longevity. It should be a piece that you genuinely enjoy wearing and that remains relevant in your wardrobe for years rather than seasons.
I enjoy investing in accessories, particularly a beautifully crafted handbag or a special pair of shoes.
There are also a few brands that I keep coming back to because they consistently align with my approach to style. I enjoy supporting brands that combine strong design with a clear vision and exceptional craftsmanship. Through my work with the edit, I have the opportunity to discover emerging designers and independent labels like LUKKA and Nina Yuun.
9. What do pearls mean to you?
For me, pearls have a very personal and emotional meaning. The earrings I wore on my wedding day were pearls set in rosé gold. They are still among my most treasured pieces of jewelry. Pearls represent much more than elegance or style to me. They symbolize special moments, meaningful memories, and the people I share them with.
10. What is everyday luxury for you?
It is having the time and space to connect with the people I love, being fully present in the moment, and experiencing a sense of inner calm.
In a world that often feels fast-paced and demanding, I have come to appreciate these simple moments more than anything else. Whether it’s spending time with my family, sharing a meaningful conversation, or simply enjoying a quiet moment of reflection, those experiences feel truly luxurious to me.
