Completing her fashion design degree from the London College of Fashion and Istituto Marangoni Milan, Varsha Wadhwa Chirimar started her eponymous womenswear luxury label in 2016. Adding wings to her passion for designing, soon after, she founded her graphics company, VW Design Co. To add more meaning to her passion revolving around all things aesthetic, she made a mission to make a difference towards the environment and co-founded The Style Grove, a luxury and lifestyle trunk show that curates both national and international brands. Besides being involved in designing in a versatile manner, Varsha is an avid reader, a lover of arts and travel, a mum to a toddler and is now ready to embark on her journey to lead the Young FICCI Flo’s Calcutta chapter as the chairperson for the organisation’s present term. A t2 chat with Varsha on the year ahead:
When did your association with YFLO start and how did it help you in your journey over the years as a person and in your profession?
Being a part of YFLO for the past 12 years and of the board for almost 10 years, I feel YFLO is an innate part of my growth story. The organisation has helped me to enhance my personal and professional growth immensely. I am proud to be part of an organisation with such an incredible network of powerful women who inspire me every day. Being a part of such a prestigious forum, where women uplift other women, has motivated all spheres of my life. I am excited to take on the role of the chairperson of the Young FICCI Ladies Organisation, Calcutta chapter.
What are your thoughts on this leadership opportunity?
This leadership opportunity presented to me is a chance to inspire and empower more young women, aged between 21 to 40, who are at the precipice of some of the most important years of shaping every aspect of their lives, be it professionally or personally. I am truly humbled and honoured to take this role of leading 650 women to hopefully make an impact not only on their lives via our events but also on women at all levels via the initiatives of digital-financial literacy, skilling, legal advocacy and more.
What is your theme for this year?
This year, we have been directed by the national headquarters in New Delhi to simply follow the motto of the organisation — ‘The Power to Empower’. I fully agree and resonate with the principle that when, as an organisation, we have such a powerful theme, nothing comes beyond that.
What are your goals for YFLO and how are you envisioning its growth in the coming year?
My goals for YFLO include expanding our reach to the right member base, fostering more mentorship opportunities with masterclasses by the experts and promoting women-led initiatives by involving members to take the lead for the same. In terms of events, my focus is to create experiential and meaningful talks which would enrich the minds and have food for thought for every genre, be it entrepreneurship, law, politics, art, wellness or films.
What are some of the challenges you are looking forward to addressing during your tenure?
Addressing challenges like gender bias, access to resources and societal stereotypes will be crucial during my tenure. I also want to focus on more learning and implementation in order to impact as many lives as possible. As a young women’s business organisation, I strive to strike a balance between learning and networking and hope to make the organisation more powerful with their enriched experiences via the events, which I will host throughout the year.
What are some of your most memorable moments from your association with YFLO over the years?
Some memorable moments include some incredible speakers we have had the opportunity to host, like Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Irrfan Khan, Isha Ambani, Sania Mirza and Sadhguru among others. Over the years I have seen some impactful collaborations and witnessed the members’ growth, which is extremely fulfilling.
What are some of the key lessons from your past chairpersons that you think will help you in your journey?
I value their wisdom in navigating challenges and fostering growth. Whether it’s people management, time management, multitasking or just being humble, my past chairpersons have inspired me to become the person I am with their incredible journeys that I have been closely associated with. I truly value each lesson I’ve learnt with each passing year from their experiences
Are there any major changes you look forward to bringing during your term?
This year, I am excited to share our YFLO Buddy programme, wherein we will allocate volunteers from YFLO to “buddy” new members and ease them into the organisation via networking and seamless integration. With our member base growing rapidly, every month, this will ensure that every member feels welcome and supported as soon as they join in. As for the clubs, this year, I am launching The Arts Club with events focused on art, dance, film, music, culinary and books; The Lifestyle Club with events focused on health, nutrition, wellness and mindfulness; and rebranding YFLO Gives to The Philanthropy Club with initiatives to engage more members to empower women at the grassroots level. My focus is to have meaningful and quality events, with an aim to introduce innovative programs, enhance collaboration and ensure inclusivity during my term.
