Early Life and Education
Molly Miao is a Chinese business executive and co-founder of the fast-fashion retailer Shein. Details about her early life are limited. She is a graduate of Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, where she studied E-Commerce.
Rise to Success
Miao is one of four co-founders of Shein, which was established in 2012. She initially served as the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) before transitioning to Chief Operating Officer (COO) in July 2023. Under her leadership, Shein expanded from its initial focus on wedding dresses to a broader range of apparel, becoming a leading player in the fast-fashion industry. Miao's role has been instrumental in building Shein's brand story, digital presence, and customer engagement. She has overseen Shein's marketing strategies, digital supply chain, and test-and-scale merchandising model.
Key Business Strategies
Miao has played a significant role in Shein's innovative business model, which leverages data analytics to predict fashion trends and streamline production, addressing ecological concerns in apparel. Miao announced in August 2024 a pilot program to make the Product Center, Category Operations Center, and Global Operations Center operate with profit-and-loss accountability, with a broader rollout targeted for 2025. Shein's model focuses on "fast fashion," catering to young consumers with affordable, trendy clothing.
Philanthropy
In September 2023, Miao stated that Shein aims to empower its stakeholder communities with tools, capabilities, and funding to improve and change lives, whether in personal or professional capacities. The company allocated an additional $85 million over five years to empower Shein's manufacturing supplier community and designers as well as women, young people, and the underprivileged globally.