LEAVE A MARK

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?

My name is Merel Engelman, and I’m the founder of Studio Wander, a creative agency based in Amsterdam.

At the core of what I do is connecting people, brands and different worlds. I’m drawn to bringing the right people together and seeing what happens when the chemistry is right, not in a transactional way, but in a way that feels genuine.

Warmth and care are central to how I work. At the same time, I have a healthy appreciation for the finer things in life and I’m definitely not opposed to a little indulgence. I believe beauty, generosity and a sense of abundance can make things more meaningful, and I like that to shine through in my work.

What keeps you moving between different creative worlds?

Moving between different creative worlds keeps me creatively engaged. It encourages me to look beyond what I already know and continuously challenge my perspective.

Every project and environment brings new insights. With time, experience and a changing cultural landscape, your perspective naturally evolves. Looking back, there are always things you might approach differently today, not because they were wrong at the time, but because you’ve grown and the zeitgeist has moved with you, allowing you to see new possibilities.

I don’t believe in standing still creatively. I prefer to try and evolve. And when an idea lands, or a brand or person genuinely feels seen and understood, that’s the best possible reward.

How do you decide which opportunities are worth saying yes to?

I have a strong sense of intuition, but I’m equally strategic in how I approach opportunities. Over the years, I’ve developed a well-trained radar for spotting potential and recognising where the right connections can create real value.

I don’t always need to see the full picture immediately. Sometimes the most interesting opportunities reveal themselves during a conversation or brainstorm. Once I find a hook, or preferably a few, that’s when I start thinking about how to take it further.

I enjoy navigating the media and lifestyle landscape and helping clients find clarity in what can sometimes feel like a jungle. And honestly, I don’t mind a small strategic puzzle.

The obvious rarely excites me.

What made you want to build something of your own?

Before starting Studio Wander, I worked in PR and talent management, which taught me a great deal about the industry and gave me a clear sense of what I wanted to approach differently.

I wanted the freedom to make my own decisions and build strategies that genuinely serve the clients I work with and the ambitions we are building towards together.

I also have what I like to call a ‚wandering eye’. Meeting people from different countries and creative industries feels like a breath of fresh air. It exposes me to new perspectives and a different kind of passion for what people create.

I love the Dutch ability to stay grounded, but we can sometimes be a little too practical. There’s a certain romance in the way craftsmanship and heritage are celebrated elsewhere. A beautifully handmade leather shoe with generations of heritage behind it could be celebrated very differently in Italy than it would be here.

Building Studio Wander gave me the freedom to follow that curiosity. And who knows, perhaps Studio Wander will cross borders at some point. One can hope, and time will tell.

What’s something you’ve learned about the creative industry that you didn’t expect?

No matter how much I love creativity and making things more beautiful, it is still a business.

The more effortless and romantic something looks on the outside, the more structured and organised it usually needs to be behind the scenes. Making something look easy is often the real work.

I’ve also learned to look beyond the language people use. Female empowerment, for example, is something I have complicated feelings about. Real empowerment is less about the statement and more about what people actually do.

I call myself lucky to be surrounded by incredibly strong women who build, lead and get on with it.

And perhaps the simplest lesson of all is that kindness goes a long way. You don’t have to be best friends with everyone or go for high tea together, but being kind costs very little. Give someone a compliment. Be generous when you can. It’s fun, and the industry could use a little more of it.

If your career so far had to be represented by one object, what would it be?

Red lipstick.

I’ve worn the same shade for over ten years, and whenever I kiss someone hello or goodbye, I tend to leave a little mark on their cheek.

Somewhere along the way, I realised I quite like leaving a mark.