Page 44 - Masala E-magazine Vol 9 Issue 2 October - November 2017

Why did you decide to leave the fi rm and venture into a
diff erent career path on your own?
I decided to do my MBA at Hong Kong University of Science and
Technology (HKUST), in order to join the corporate world in Asia
Paci c. I wanted to be completely nancially independent and
prove my worth to myself. I have always had this burning desire
to succeed, and it has been a challenging yet rewarding journey
ever since.

After completing your MBA degree, why did you foray into the
world of luxury fashion?
After my MBA, I pursued an internship in Securities and Funds
at Citibank. Even though I thought I wanted to work in nance,
I knew right there that I couldn’t have a desk job in intangible
services. However, moving from an entrepreneurial business to a
corporate role in luxury was a huge challenge.

You journey began with Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH)
in Hong Kong. What was that like?
LVMH is home to 70 distinguished houses rooted in six di erent
sectors. Some of the fashion brands under their portfolio include
Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, Celine, Givenchy, Berluti, Loewe
and Emilio Pucci. To be candid, I was rst hired on a temporary
contract, as the Managing Director of Emilio Pucci had just
resigned and they wanted someone to study the brand and ll in
the position until they found a suitable candidate. Four months
later, after many interviews, I took over the job. In my 20s, I
became the Brand Head of Emilio Pucci based in Hong Kong,
overseeing all the direct retail and franchise stores in Asia Paci c.
Reporting to the President of the LVMH Fashion Group, I had a What did you learn from your experience working in one of the
great mentor and worked extremely hard to learn everything major fashion capitals of the world?
about luxury retail. The journey began on the shop oor in Paci c I love Hong Kong, but I only lived there for a fraction of my time,
Place, Hong Kong. I learnt about the brand, team, products and as I constantly travelled to Europe and Asia. I learned a lot but
clients before embarking on the brand’s strategic plan across most importantly I found myself in Hong Kong and understood
Asia Paci c. The word “average” doesn’t really exist in my what trajectory I wanted to make in my career.
vocabulary. I want my team and I to always excel and exceed
objectives. If you let yourself be con ned by boundaries people Why did you choose to work in New Delhi next?
create for you, you will never really know where your limits lie. I got the o er to be the Country Manager at Louis Vuitton on
We can make calculated mistakes but we can also push forward Diwali in 2015 and moved in March 2016. I never envisioned
with a revised strategy. My team at Emilio Pucci became my myself working in Delhi. However, this was a unique opportunity
family, and together we achieved the highest growth ever in the and I truly believed in the potential of India. We are in an
region. We even managed to have some fun in the process! extremely exciting time, and I thought with my global working
experience with LVMH, I could be the woman to take Louis
How did your move from Emilio Pucci to Givenchy take place? Vuitton to the next level in India. Furthermore due to my Indian
I was in Seoul for the opening of the Emilio Pucci agship store roots, I felt I could give something back to the country that has
at Shinsegae Gangnam. I was extremely excited because we blessed me with such a rich cultural heritage.
negotiated the best location in the most luxurious mall. My
boss, at the time, set up a breakfast meeting for me and the new How did you manage to land this position at such a young age?
global CEO of Givenchy. Minutes after the meeting, my boss I have immense drive, energy and passion. I am also blessed
called to ask what I had said because the CEO wanted to hire me with great education and I have extraordinary mentors at home
immediately to help him reposition and grow the brand in Asia and at work. I wake up excited to go to work every day. I know
Paci c. I worked for Givenchy for three years and oversaw a that sounds crazy but it’s true. I have a good track record and I
network of over 60 stores. am eager to learn and grow. Age is no barrier.

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