From Brussels to Berlin, from buying to Business Development: Alexandra Maene’s journey into fashion tech is anything but ordinary. At the intersection of creativity and data, she brings passion, curiosity, and international flair to her role as Business Development Manager at Chainbalance.
From poetry to purchase orders
Alexandra’s path began with a deep love for language. With a bachelor’s degree in Literature and Linguistics (Dutch-English) and a master’s in International Business Economics and Management, she blended her creative and analytical sides early on. “I always believed words could shape stories and today, I help shape the story of smarter, more sustainable fashion.”
Her master's thesis? A deep dive into the use of AI to increase customer engagement in the apparel industry, back in 2018. “Look at me now,” she laughs. “Seems like it was meant to be.”
A foot (and heel) into fashion
Her passion for clothing started young: rummaging through her mom’s wardrobe, falling in love with textures, and curating her own personal style. “I’ve always been fascinated by how fashion can transform confidence, it's like wearing your personality on your sleeve.”
That spark led her to internships in the Brussels fashion scene, then a dream job at Zalando in Berlin as a Buying Assistant in the women's footwear department. “I thought I’d stay a year or two… it turned into five and a half.”
Joining Chainbalance
When Alexandra found the job opening at Chainbalance, it just clicked. “The mission to reduce waste in fashion spoke to me. I’ve seen firsthand how much overproduction exists. A smarter approach is long overdue.”
As a former buyer, she knows the pain of juggling endless Excel sheets. “Chainbalance’s modules automate stock decisions, from replenishment to PO forecasting and that’s a huge game-changer for the industry.”
“Chainbalance’s modules automate stock decisions, from replenishment to PO forecasting and that’s a huge game-changer for the industry.”
What she loves most
“Meeting people in the industry, hearing their stories, and figuring out how we can help them, that’s what energizes me,” she says. Whether it's dissecting workflows or bonding over good food at networking events, Alexandra thrives on connection.
Why Chainbalance?
“It’s the culture,” she says without hesitation. “Kindness, innovation, fun, all wrapped in one. People are open to feedback and eager to evolve. It’s not just a company; it’s a team with purpose.”
Beyond the desk
True to her creative roots, Alexandra’s off-the-clock passions include concerts, dancing, reading, art exhibitions, solo travel, and time in nature. “Life’s too short not to fill it with the things that inspire you.”