Founder @ Fashinnovation | Strategic Advisor | Global Ecosystem Builder | Fashion-Tech & VC Specialist — Bridging the gap between the runway and the future.
In the frantic, high-velocity worlds of fashion and technology, most people are looking for the next trend or the quickest exit. Marcelo Guimarães is looking for the light. He often speaks of a unique personal duality: the turtle and the sun. The turtle represents the long-term thinking, patience, and steady execution required to build something that lasts. The sun represents the vitality, optimism, and the ability to illuminate paths for others.
As the Founder of Fashinnovation, Guimarães has spent nearly two decades proving that while the fashion industry is built on the glamour of the runway, its future is built on what comes after: the technology, the sustainability, and the human connections that turn a creative vision into a global movement.
The Roots of Resilience
Marcelo’s story begins in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—a city defined by its vibrant energy and its inherent challenges. Growing up in Rio provided more than just a backdrop of creativity; it offered a masterclass in resilience and the importance of community. From an early age, Marcelo realized that in any environment, relationships and reputation are the true currency of success.
His journey into the professional world started far from the executive suites of New York. His first role was in sales and customer service, earning a modest hourly wage. It was here, in the trenches of daily interaction, that he learned the discipline of delivering value before expecting results. This grassroots education was further ignited during his time at Endeavor, where he was surrounded by high-impact entrepreneurs. This environment didn’t just teach him business mechanics; it infused him with a lifelong passion for “entrepreneurial energy”—that specific, relentless drive to make things happen where nothing existed before.
Building the Ecosystem
Marcelo’s career trajectory is defined by a shift from navigating established systems to building entirely new ones. After honing his skills in business development and strategic management across various sectors—including IT, retail, and finance—he recognized a massive disconnect in the fashion industry. While fashion was a multi-trillion-dollar global force, it was often siloed away from the very technological innovations that could make it more sustainable and efficient.
This realization led to the birth of Fashinnovation. Headquartered in New York City, the platform became a bridge between bold ideas and strategic partnerships. Under Marcelo’s leadership, Fashinnovation grew into a global network connecting startups to corporations and founders to investors. His philosophy was never about a rigid formula, but about collective discovery. As he once noted in a call for new talent: “We don’t have a formula. We build it together. Change is our routine.”
His progress was marked by a “one step at a time” approach, focusing on consistency and good energy. This steady momentum allowed him to scale Fashinnovation from a localized idea into a worldwide tour, recently featured in WWD, bringing the mission of innovation to the iconic stages of London, Milan, and Paris.
A Legacy of Connection
Today, Marcelo’s influence extends far beyond the events he hosts. He has become a sought-after Strategic Advisor and a “VC Ecosystem Builder,” helping companies navigate the complex intersection of fashion-tech and global growth. His influence is perhaps best captured by those who have worked alongside him. Alberto Fernandez Filgueiras, a long-time professional associate, notes: “Marcelo is an excellent professional; he is not only clever and dynamic but has a special capacity to lead with challenges that new businesses bring up all the time.”
What truly sets Marcelo apart is his commitment to humanizing the high-stakes world of venture capital and international trade. For him, success isn’t just a bottom-line metric; it’s about the people. This is evident in his approach to leadership, where he views his team not as employees, but as partners and fellow “owners” of the vision. “On a personal note, Marcelo is an extremely nice person that takes care of his team, reason why many of them are his followers,” Filgueiras adds.
Whether he is hosting a private “Founders Table” in NYC or mentoring the next generation of leaders, Marcelo remains focused on the “real” over the “perceived.” He advocates for building real relationships over just building resumes, believing that while technical skills are a commodity, integrity and curiosity are the ultimate differentiators.
Illuminating the Path
As Marcelo looks toward the future, his “North Star” remains clear: moving forward with consistency and positive momentum. His focus has expanded into board advisory roles and thought leadership, where he continues to advocate for a fashion industry that prioritizes sustainability and technology as core pillars rather than afterthoughts.
His leadership philosophy remains anchored in the symbolism he carries with him: the endurance of the turtle and the optimism of the sun. He is building a legacy not just of successful businesses, but of a more connected, purposeful industry. For Marcelo, the goal is simple yet profound: to leave a legacy, rather than being just another name in the crowd. As he often tells his community: “Fashion weeks are about the runway. We’re about what comes after.”
Editorial Note
Marcelo Guimarães’s journey reminds us that the most successful global platforms are built on a foundation of local values: discipline, community, and the courage to iterate in public. His story is a call to action for every aspiring leader to focus on the long game—to be the steady hand that executes and the bright light that inspires.
