Fly high, Wear High (Varija Bajaj - fashion designer)
one-on-one dialogue…
When did the entrepreneur bug bite you?
While I was working in ad agencies in 2002, I felt my potential was under-utilised and therefore could sense a great vacuum. I went to UK-University of Sheffield to persue my MBA and to further create a greater foundation for my entrepreneurial journey in 2003. 2004 was the beginning of this exciting phase which does not cease to fascinate me.
What challenges a woman entrepreneur has to face ?? Is the business world is more challenging for women than men??
We work in a highly conditioned society where women are not taken as seriously as men. However I have been here long enough now, and proven enough to be taken seriously. But it is still a challenge for startups. On the other hand for all women entrepreneurs I'd say that there are no brownie points for being a woman when you are on the work field. Expect your deliverables to be judged like that of any man.
What skills according to you are necessary for a successful fashion designer?
Loads of Passion, innovation, generally knowledge not only on technicalities but also what is driving the society as a whole
The collection you recently launched 'Office & You' is no doubt good enough, but who and which things were your inspiration while creating such designs?
Office & You was born out of sheer necessity. It was a few years ago while I was attending an international conference in India, where I saw a top woman executive dressed in resort-wear. I was appalled and sad at the same time. She obviously was not educated for corporate dressing and possibly was short of choices to suit her figure. Indian women today are creating success stories in the corporate world, But what is missing is a true representation of their personality. I somewhere felt responsible as a designer to change the outlook of Indian women in the corporate world, hence gave birth to Office & You.
Office & you is especially designed for Indian women keeping in mind their body structure and skin tones. What differentiates the brand from other workwear brands is its special focus on cultural and social sensitivity of Indian women. The brand has devised a specific category called "Feet on Street" which is for women who work in labour intensive environment, travel by public transport or simply don't wear western outfits.
What advice would you give to young designers?
Keep that fire burning within you and find everything to fuel it, with full honesty. Everything else you can learn and is achievable.
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