My Journey to the Top
It's amazing how comfortably you fall into a role, in my case a CEO role. I'm sort of blown away that I have this job, and I feel incredibly lucky.
Rachel Roy
Designer
I grew up in an unassuming family, where the primary focus was on hard work and education—our television time was limited, but as a treat we were allowed to watch old Hollywood movies. It was through film that I began to cultivate an interest in fashion. I loved the way the actresses looked—strong and beautiful, with perfect hair and makeup. These images piqued my interest, with their portrayal of equal parts glamour and strength.
When I was a child we went school shopping once a year, and got to spend $200 for an entire wardrobe at Mervyns department store. I was convinced that if given the opportunity, I could put better styles, silhouettes and fabrics into the stores I was compelled to shop in. My mother told me that this was the job of a buyer, and my new goal was born: I wanted to be a buyer for Mervyns.
In high school I worked at Contempo Casuals, which was the height of glamour at the time.
I started in stock (decidedly unglamorous), and within two years I was assistant manager. When I went to college in Washington, D.C., they transferred me and I continued working, while also attending classes.
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Member Comments
Posted By: pinkiroy @ 10/19/2007 4:43:48 PM
Comment: Thanks a lot for the well elucidated artices,illustrating how women have come to the top. I am sure this will definately be an encouraging article which will go a long way in making we "women" realizt that we are indeed "Shakti"...meaning power...asis depicted by the great epics of Indian sprituality.
Posted By: leyla @ 10/18/2007 7:38:08 AM
Comment: Women from all over the world face same challenges. As long as we will not have a self -esteem problem
we can accomplish at least twice as men do. Be it politics, business or social domaines...Thank you
Newsweek for introducing new role models. Leyla Alaton G??nyeli from ??stanbul-Turkey.
Posted By: jayant @ 10/17/2007 1:41:59 AM
Comment: My million thanks to Newsweek magazine and the journalists who covered this story for putting Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Ms Mayawati among the top 8 women leaders in world. These laurels from a reputed magazine like Newsweek are rightly deserved by Mayawati. Such a highly valued recognition would have never come from the Indian media which is totally controlled by the forces of bramhnical social order. The Indian media is so utterly biased and partisan that it makes even an ordinary person from amongst the so called "upper caste" look like a big hero by repeatedly portraying him in media. On the other hand the big heroes from the Bahujan Samaj ( majority lower castes and converted minorities) who have made huge contributions in nation building are totally ignored by this same partisan Indiam media. Hats off to Newsweek !