Human Resources (HR) is the heartbeat of any organisation. Beyond recruitment and payroll, it plays a vital role in shaping workplace culture, nurturing talent, and driving long-term business strategy. A strong HR team fosters an environment where employees feel supported, valued, and motivated to grow.
Tapestry Malaysia, which comprises of the Coach & Kate Spade brands, lean but dynamic HR team plays a key role in shaping its award-winning workplace culture. Aligned with Tapestry’s regional HR strategy, the team drives talent development, wellness, and culture initiatives tailored to the local workforce and business strategy, earning consistent recognition from HR Asia and helping make Tapestry one of Malaysia’s top retail employers.
Diversity as a Catalyst for Growth
Tapestry Malaysia embraces the strength that comes from a diverse and multigenerational workforce. In 2024, the team comprised 40% Gen Z, 56% Millennials, and 4% Gen X, representing a vibrant mix of experiences and perspectives across both retail and corporate teams.
At the heart of this people driven approach is Khaliesa Farid, the HR Business Partner at Tapestry Malaysia. She plays a key role as a strategic partner championing talent development, employee engagement strategies and supporting recruitment efforts across retail and corporate teams in Malaysia, for Coach & Kate Spade. Through close collaboration with store leaders and cross-function departments, she ensures that HR practices are aligned with business goals and local market needs.
To bridge generational and cultural gaps, Tapestry runs a range of inclusive, employee-focused initiatives with are co-run by employees across retail and corporate. Wellness is prioritised through the Priority You team, which designs initiatives supporting mind, body and life. Tapestry Events celebrate cultural heritage and special recognition moments. Tapestry Gives is the company’s philanthropic team which provides avenues for community outreach. Employee advocacy groups are nurtured through Employee Business Resource Groups (such as EmpowHER for women) and local Inclusion Councils.
“Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to contribute. When people feel supported, they’re more engaged and that’s where innovation starts.” she said.
Rather than working in silos, employees are encouraged to collaborate and communicate openly. This approach is key to building an inclusive and high-performing team.
By championing inclusion and empowering employees across all levels, Tapestry is cultivating a workplace where diversity drives connection, creativity, and long-term success.
Shaping the Future of Work
Tapestry is redefining the workplace by blending technology with a people-first mindset. As HR rapidly evolves, the company has embraced AI-powered tools and modern platforms that enable predictive hiring, personalised learning, and real-time feedback. These innovations empower employees to take charge of their growth while helping HR teams make smarter, more proactive decisions.
But technology is only part of the story. At Tapestry, people remain the heart of the business. The company believes that when employees are equipped with the right tools and support, they thrive and so will the organisation. This belief is reflected in their inclusive culture, where collaboration across generations, backgrounds, and departments is encouraged and celebrated.
Tapestry views diversity not just as representation but as a strategic driver of innovation. Initiatives like the APAC wide “Rising Together” mentoring programme and regular engagement surveys ensure all voices are heard and supported.
Core values such as “Stand Taller Together” and “Turn Logic into Magic” inspire bold ideas and collective ownership, as seen in the successful launch of Coach’s first F&B central kitchen here in Malaysia, an initiative shaped by cross-generational teamwork to support the growth of Coach’s Coffeeshops across the region.
By staying agile and inclusive, Tapestry continues to lead by example showing that the future of work lies at the intersection of smart technology, meaningful dialogue, and shared purpose.
Redefining Growth and Success
Tapestry recognises that success looks different for everyone. Through consistent employee dialogue via quarterly performance snapshots and engagement tools, the company takes a data informed, personalised approach to development.
Rather than focusing solely on performance metrics, the company emphasises growth conversations. Employees benefit from tailored development workshops, access to LinkedIn Learning, and initiatives like APAC “Rising Together” mentoring programme.
“Development is not always about climbing a ladder. Here at Tapestry, we focus on what professional growth means to each employee, and we support them in reaching their fullest potential. For example, I’ve had the chance to build my career at Tapestry across different roles and countries, and each step has been meaningful in my development journey.” said Cristina Buccellati (Sr. Director, HR - SEA & Oceania).
With a global, multi-brand structure, Tapestry encourages career mobility across roles, brands, and geographies allowing employees to craft unique, and meaningful career journeys.
Authenticity remains central to the culture. Through dedicated culture groups and inclusive values, every individual is encouraged to grow in ways that matter to them, fostering a sense of ownership and purpose.
Human-First Innovation
Technology and empathy go hand in hand. While advanced tools like AI and digital dashboards enhance efficiency in areas such as hiring, learning, and employee engagement, they are thoughtfully integrated to support not replacing the human touch. Automation is used to simplify repetitive tasks, enabling the HR team to focus on what truly matters: strategic thinking, cultural connection, and meaningful one-on-one conversations. The result is an HR function that is both data-informed and deeply people-centered.
“We’re not chasing technology for the sake of it. Every tool we adopt has to answer one key question: are we making it easier to be an employee and unlocking the power of our people?”, Khaliesa reflects.
This people-first mindset is a cornerstone of Tapestry’s culture and a key reason why the company was named one of Asia’s Best Companies to Work For by HR Asia. More than just an accolade, the recognition reflects a workplace rooted in trust, inclusion, and continuous evolution.
It also reaffirms the company’s belief that innovation isn’t just about systems and structures, it’s about people. At Tapestry, progress is defined not just by what the company builds, but by how it empowers individuals to thrive, grow, and lead with authenticity.
Discover a workplace where diversity, innovation, and people come first. Explore career opportunities and grow with Tapestry Malaysia.
This series of Corporate Pioneers is in collaboration with HR Asia Best Companies To Work For In Asia
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
