This International Women’s Day we wanted to celebrate some of the many incredible women that work here at Chi Chi HQ. Without these women, we honestly don’t know how we’d get through a single day, let alone be the brand that we are proud to say we are today. So without further ado, make yourself a cup of tea (or whatever else you fancy!), sit down, and have a read of our interview with these wonderful women.
Q: What is the most important piece of advice you've been given?
A: Stay ready so you never have to get ready.
Q: Why do you think IWD is important?
A: I think it’s great that it’s highlighted to remind everyone how important it is to lift up other women, but I think we should be celebrating people every day!
Q: Who inspires you?
A: Apart from my mother, my sister has come to be a true inspiration to me. As a student nurse during the peak times of the pandemic, she stayed strong and empathetic to everyone she cared for. Her kindness and resilience are some of the qualities I have always admired about her!
Q: What is the best part of your role?
A: I love that I have the opportunity to make people feel more represented and I get to work with amazing influencers that make Instagram a happier and more uplifting space, and that is amazing to me.
Q: How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
A: As women we’re very hard on ourselves, so it’s nice to empower other people. In turn by lifting up other people we might notice that we share those same qualities, and learn to be more appreciative of ourselves.
Q: If you could have dinner with any woman (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
A: Iris Apfel. She is just the personification of going after exactly what you want, breaking stereotypes and boundaries as she goes, and I think she’s just incredible!
Q: What is the best part of your role?
A: Every day is different, and getting to see your designs come to life, all the way from what you first envisioned to the final product feels like such a great achievement.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: My mum honestly inspires me so much. She brought me up to have core values that I really appreciate, and she’s just such a strong independent woman.
Q: What did you dream of doing when you were younger?
A: I always wanted to be a crime scene investigator. I used to watch CSI and I always found it so fascinating!
Q: What message do you wish you could give your younger self?
A: It doesn’t matter what you look like. Stop thinking that you need to look like everyone else, being different is a positive thing. Also you can do anything if you put your mind to it.
Q: What stereotypes do you think we need to challenge as women?
A: That everyone has the same path and goals that they’re supposed to achieve by a certain age, and if they don’t they’re deemed a failure. We all have our own path and we do things at our own pace, and that’s what makes us unique.
Q: If you could have dinner with any woman (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
A: Marylin Monroe. She was iconic but yet there’s still so much we don’t know about her, only what the media wanted to portray her as. How would she feel knowing that she is idealised as this sex symbol with the perfect body type? That would make some interesting dinner conversation.
Q: What's your favourite part of your role?
A: I’m a people-person, so getting to speak to different people every day is lovely. Also watching people that I’ve brought into the business really blossom within their roles and make great friendships within their teams is a really heart-warming feeling.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: My sister is such an inspiration to me. She always fights for what she believes in and won’t let anything get in her way of her dreams. She also campaigns for human rights and is just the most wonderful person inside and out.
Q: If you could have dinner with any woman (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
A: Without a doubt, Maya Jama. She feels so real and care-free and she’s created this amazing career in a very male-dominated industry.
Q: What is the most important piece of advice you've been given?
A: Self love is key, don’t forget to put yourself first.
Q: Why do you think IWD is important?
A: Because us women are strong, powerful beings that deserve to be celebrated. We also need to show the next generation what they can be capable of.
Q: What stereotypes do you think we need to challenge as women?
A: That we are the weaker sex – I work with incredible women every single day that definitely prove otherwise!
Thanks for reading, and Happy #IWD!
