Episode 13 | Stories Worth Telling… with Cristina Gonçalves and Ana Vaz

In Episode 13, we spoke with Cristina Gonçalves, Commercial Manager at Riopele Fashion Solutions for 21 years, and Ana Vaz, Sales Manager for Belgium and the Netherlands, who has been with Riopele for 20 years.

1. Which of you has won over more clients for Riopele?

Cristina Gonçalves: Given the roles we perform, I would say Ana. In the fabrics business, it is possible to acquire several clients, whereas in garment manufacturing the number is naturally smaller due to the scale of the offer.
Ana Vaz: I believe I may have brought in more clients, as I have worked across different markets, including China, which was a major challenge. Still, more important than acquisition is client loyalty.

2. If you could swap roles with each other for a day, what would you do differently?

Cristina: I wouldn’t do anything differently because Ana is very good at what she does. I would simply take the opportunity to absorb the knowledge she has in fabrics, which I lack.
Ana: Although I have a background in fashion design, my true passion is fabric. I wouldn’t swap roles, not even for a day.

3. Who is more optimistic?

Cristina: Without a doubt, me.
Ana: Cristina.

4. Who is more practical?

Cristina: Ana.
Ana: Me.

5. Who takes more risks?

Cristina: I would say we take risks in a balanced way. It really depends on the context.
Ana: I agree, it varies according to the circumstances.

6. If your partnership were a Riopele fabric, which one would it be?

Cristina: I would choose Colette, one of Riopele’s oldest and most noble fabrics, which reinvents itself every season through colour while always remaining relevant.
Ana: I would choose Popel’s, a historic fabric that already existed when I joined Riopele. It was extremely innovative when it was created and to this day still allows for highly distinctive developments while remaining relevant over the years.

7. What does it mean to both of you to see Riopele celebrate 100 years?

Cristina: It is undoubtedly a source of pride, but also a strong sense of belonging. After so many years, this is our home too.
Ana: It is a huge source of pride, especially having contributed to this journey over the last 20 years.

8. If you could choose one word to describe Riopele, what would it be?

Cristina: Adaptability.
Ana: I would choose two words: trust, which is what we must always convey to our partners, and challenge, in finding short-, medium- and long-term solutions to keep the company competitive in the market.