Metro Exclusive: Vince Flores On Fashion, E-Commerce And Staying True To Yourself

Surrounded by his muses, Heart Evangelista, along with Janeena Chan, Kerwin King, and Brent Manalo whom he lovingly calls the ZCrew; he shares parts of his journey both as a stylist and as a retailer. Likewise, Metro has created many collaborations with Zalora in the past, such as a special cover shoot with Heart Evangelista when she first joined the brand in 2020; episodes under ZLive, affiliate marketing, among others. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here, and we will tell the story of Vince.

Vince Flores’ foray into fashion didn’t begin with the glitz of the runway or the polished world of high fashion shoots. It started in the quiet corners of bookstores, flipping through magazine pages, captivated by the storytelling in glossy spreads. “I was that kid who would stand by bookstores for the latest issues, gushing over editors and their work,” he recalls. Like many of us who are drawn to fashion and its beautiful world of clothes and collections, and long before he found his place in e-commerce through Zalora, Vince was simply a young dream, captivated by the world of fashion, and longing to find his place in it. 

What fashion dreams are made of

Growing up in a time when fashion was still largely a print-driven industry, Vince found himself absorbed in the narratives brands weaved through their collections. Hours were spent on phone calls with friends dissecting the latest blog posts from fashion influencers. He was, in his words, “a lost soul trying to find my footing in the industry I loved.” But finding his place wasn’t easy. Despite internships, retail experience, and styling stints with industry heavyweights like John Lozano, something was missing.

“Why didn’t it feel right even though I was in the industry I admired?” he wondered. The answer would reveal itself as he took a leap of faith into the emerging world of e-commerce, an unexpected detour that would become his calling.

Falling in love with e-commerce

Vince’s entry into e-commerce was anything but straightforward. “To be honest, I didn’t know at first,” he admits. “Who was this kid stepping into an unfamiliar industry?” But what started as a hesitant step into the digital landscape quickly turned into a love affair. “It wasn’t love at first click, but over time, I fell for how e-commerce changed the shopping landscape. I loved the constant innovation, the drive to think outside the box,” he shares of his experience.

Zalora became the perfect stage for Vince’s passion to flourish. As Asia’s leading online fashion retailer, the platform embodied everything he admired: a seamless blend of fashion and technology, a commitment to consumer experience, and a data-driven approach that made shopping both personal and engaging. “I saw an opportunity to leverage my background in fashion and storytelling to contribute to a company that was revolutionizing the way people shop,” he shares.

But what truly made the difference were the mentors who believed in him. “Paulo Campos III, Regine King, and others—these people took a chance on my crazy ideas.” With their guidance, Vince helped drive initiatives that brought joy to customers, whether through personalized recommendations or exclusive collaborations. The work, though demanding, became a rewarding pursuit as he watched Zalora grow from a regional player to a fashion powerhouse.

The power of mistakes

Now, as someone who leads teams and shapes Zalora’s strategy, Vince carries forward the lessons he learned from his mentors. “If there’s one piece of advice I always give my team, it’s to never be afraid to make mistakes,” he says. In a world as fast-paced as fashion and e-commerce, calculated risks are essential for staying ahead. “Mistakes are invaluable learning opportunities. They force us to confront our weaknesses and innovate.”

This culture of embracing experimentation has led to some of Zalora’s most successful initiatives. Whether it’s launching luxury brands or adapting to the ever-evolving social media landscape, Vince’s approach is grounded in resilience and the willingness to learn from every setback.

One of his proudest achievements is setting up ZCREW, Zalora’s influencer network. “We started when influencers were just gaining popularity,” he recalls. Today, ZCREW has nurtured names like Kerwin King and Janeena Chan, creating a community rooted in loyalty, authenticity, and fashion credibility. “What makes ZCREW special is the sense of family we’ve built,” he adds. This close-knit bond has allowed the team to navigate the rapidly changing world of social media with confidence and creativity.

Going for Gold: Heart Evangelista

Among the highlights of Vince’s career is his partnership with Heart Evangelista, one of the most influential figures in Philippine fashion. Their first meeting, amid the awkwardness of pandemic restrictions, quickly blossomed into a friendship. “Heart’s professionalism is unmatched. She’s always early, always ready, and often helps us wrap up shoots ahead of schedule,” Vince says with admiration. Her dedication and ability to balance success with humility have made her a pivotal figure for Zalora both locally and regionally.

In fact, Metro was one of the partners of Zalora when it launched its campaign for Heart Evangelista back in 2020. In a special Alice in Wonderland-themed shoot, Metro, with the help of Vince who was liaising for Zalora, worked hand in hand in creating the global launch of this campaign.

Their collaborations have been marked by memorable moments, like the 3D billboard unveiling in BGC that caused a stir. “It was one of those moments that reminded us just how powerful Heart’s presence is,” Vince reflects.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

For Vince, the journey with Zalora has been nothing short of transformative. “I still see myself working at Zalora for the next few years,” he says. The company’s trajectory aligns perfectly with his vision of continuously pushing boundaries in fashion and e-commerce. Whether it’s expanding into luxury markets or forging new partnerships, Vince is excited about what lies ahead.

Looking back on his path—from a young fashion enthusiast flipping through magazines to a leader in e-commerce—Vince is filled with gratitude. 

We ask him of his message to those who are much like him: “To the young readers out there, stay true to your core, trust the process, and live with purpose. Remember the people who have been part of your journey and always be grateful.”

Vince’s story is one of finding authenticity in a world obsessed with trends. It’s about carving your own path while staying true to your values. As he puts it, “Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everyone I’ve ever known.” And in that combination lies the essence of Vince Flores: a storyteller, a trailblazer, and a leader with a heart for fashion and innovation.

Photo by JV Rabano

Video by Renzo Rosario

Styling by Bea Jocom assisted by Dani Calalang and Cydney Parreno

Grooming by Zarry Borbon

Brand Management Ralph Desiderio and Kloie Carlos

Wardrobe COS on ZALORA

On Heart:

Styling by Iza Sim

Makeup by May Francisco

Hair by Ghil Sayo

Management Ira Lesaca and Albert Cruz

Wardrobe Urban Revivo and COS on ZALORA