For our ninth episode I chat to Kimaya Vyas-Herdman, Director of Merchandising at Ugg, Deckers Brands. Kim has been paving her way in the fashion industry for over 10 years, and as well as Ugg, has worked for brands such as Ted Baker,  Juicy Couture and Calvin Klein. Alongside her experience and role in fashion (merchandising), which she describes as the perfect combination of art and science, requiring a broad range of skills and both a flair for fashion and business. We also talk about her responsibility as a female leader, as one of the youngest directors at Ugg and her aspirations, efforts and obstacles to facilitating much-needed change in ethnic minority representation in her the company and across the industry. 

Having grown up in both the UK and India, Kim proudly identifies as a British-Indian and we explore the impact of those two cultures on her perspective and how they have profoundly shaped and influenced her life for the better. We also dig deeper into multiculturalism, globalisation and how the Black Lives Matter movement is shedding a bright and beckoning light exposing the urgent need for action and how we all have an important part to play in that. 

Kim now lives in Santa Barbara, California with her husband, cat and soon to arrive baby boy! So amongst the serious topics of this episode, there's still plenty of sunshine and positivity. Enjoy listening!