Petra Lemešić
Episode · #607
POSLOVNI DIR Petra Lemešić
Guest Petra LemešićHosted by Ojdana KoharevićMay 3, 2026
Petra Lemešić
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Petra Lemešić's career defies easy categorization. From the high-stakes world of Jean Paul Gaultier's London studio, where she designed accessories for global runways, she chose a deliberate exit, returning to Croatia to cultivate an olive farm. This conversation explores the rare decision to step away from a celebrated international career, not for failure, but for a profound redefinition of success. Lemešić shares how the skills honed in a demanding creative environment unexpectedly prepared her for the rigors of agriculture, and what it means to find peace and purpose far from the spotlight. Readers will consider how much of their own identity is tied to external validation, and when the most ambitious choice might be to walk away.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Petra applied to Jean Paul Gaultier's studio after seeing an ad, with no connections and "no other idea" than to see how it worked. This lack of expectation allowed her to perform freely, ultimately leading to a scholarship. The most significant opportunities often arise when you approach them with genuine curiosity rather than strategic ambition.
02
Her father, who owned a plastics manufacturing company, taught her to work with tools like wrenches, wire, and saws. This practical, hands-on knowledge surprised the Gaultier team and proved more valuable than her formal design education. In high-stakes creative fields, raw, hands-on ability and problem-solving skills often matter more than academic credentials.
03
Petra's studio at Gaultier was led by an 82-year-old Russian woman whom Jean Paul Gaultier refused to let go, because "she knew exactly who had knowledge, who had quality, and who had the potential to progress." Experience and true discernment are irreplaceable, regardless of age, and are critical for sustained success in any creative organization.
04
Contrasting her international experience with the local environment, Petra notes that abroad, "there are no smart ones, only diligent ones." Success in the most demanding global fields often prioritizes relentless self-improvement and persistent execution over perceived talent or local connections.
05
After 12 years, Petra deliberately chose to leave her high-profile fashion career and return home for her children, stating, "If you don't know when you've reached the top, your fall is catastrophic." Her "world is not fashion design." Knowing when to exit a successful career, even at its peak, is critical for defining your own measure of success and protecting what truly matters.
06
After her father's death, Petra inherited his ranch near Trogir, where she "found peace in nature and among the olive trees," isolated from everything. A radical career shift, especially one rooted in personal history and a desire for isolation, can offer a profound sense of purpose and peace that external validation cannot provide.
07
In 2017, a fire destroyed 130 olive trees and two vineyards on her OPG, forcing her to "start all over again" after years of rebuilding. Even after finding your chosen path and peace, external disasters will test your resolve, demanding a different kind of resilience than career ambition ever did.