From Local Startup to Global Presence
TL;DR:
- Filling Pieces grew from a 19-year-old's idea into a global fashion brand
- E-commerce was the key in the early phase: no dependence on physical stores
- The brand expanded from sneakers into a full ready-to-wear label
- Family plays a crucial role: Paulinho works together with his brother and sister-in-law
- Future plans: more of their own stores in major cities and shop-in-shop concepts
In this episode of Brand News, hosted by Charlotte Emily, we speak with Paulinho Chin, the brother of the founder of Filling Pieces and a key figure in the growth of the brand. He shares his experiences from the startup phase in Amsterdam to the brand's international expansion. This episode offers insight into the origins, the challenges and the successes of Filling Pieces, as well as their vision for the future.
How did Filling Pieces start as a local startup?
- Introduction - Charlotte Emily introduces Paulinho and talks about their earlier collaboration. Paulinho begins his story about how Filling Pieces started as his brother's idea and eventually grew into a global brand.
- The beginning of Filling Pieces - Paulinho tells how his brother started the brand at the age of 19 and how he was involved from the start, focusing on logistics and order processing while his brother took on the design and the marketing.
- E-commerce as the first step - In the early phase, Filling Pieces focused mainly on e-commerce. Paulinho managed the online store, which allowed them to introduce their brand without depending on physical stores.
From sneaker brand to full fashion house
- Expansion into ready-to-wear - What started as a footwear brand later expanded into clothing. Paulinho explains that it was always his brother's dream to become a full fashion house and not just a footwear brand.
- Working with family - Paulinho works closely together with his brother and sister-in-law, which according to him has contributed to the success of Filling Pieces thanks to the strong bond of trust.
Curious about the latest sneaker trends of 2026? Filling Pieces is definitely part of that.
What future plans does Filling Pieces have?
- Future vision and expansion plans - Paulinho tells how Filling Pieces plans to open more of its own stores in major cities, alongside collaboration with department stores via shop-in-shop concepts to further build out the brand.
Also listen to the story behind Bram's Fruit, another up-and-coming Dutch fashion brand.
Listen to the episode - Want to hear more about the journey of Filling Pieces and their growth from a local startup to an international brand? Listen to the full episode of Brand News via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.
Frequently asked questions about Filling Pieces
How did Filling Pieces start?
Filling Pieces was founded by a 19-year-old entrepreneur from Amsterdam who wanted to bridge the gap between luxury sneakers and affordable streetwear. Together with his brother Paulinho, the brand grew from a small e-commerce project into an internationally recognized fashion label with its own flagship store.
Does Filling Pieces also sell clothing?
Yes, Filling Pieces has expanded from a pure sneaker brand into a full ready-to-wear label. It was always the founder's dream to build a complete fashion house. The clothing collections align with the same aesthetic and quality standard as the sneakers.
Where can I buy Filling Pieces?
Filling Pieces is available in their own flagship store, via their webshop and at selected retailers and department stores worldwide. The brand also works with shop-in-shop concepts and can be found on online platforms that offer luxury sneakers and streetwear.
