She Started It Nika Diwa - Inspirational Speaker, Stylist, Consultant, And Blogger

After leaving a successful career in New York as a buyer and merchandiser for some of fashion’s biggest brands, Nika now uses her background in style as a tool to help teach and advocate empowerment and self-worth for men and women across the world.

- Gaby Ignacio

WHAT PUSHED YOU TO MAKE THE SWITCH FROM WORKING IN FASHION TO WHAT YOU’RE DOING NOW?

The further I climbed up the corporate ladder of luxury fashion, the more insight I had into the disorder in the industry. Watching companies and brands impose impossible beauty standards onto women really began to impact my own self-esteem and sense of worth. Finally realizing that although this mega-issue wasn’t my fault but nonetheless my responsibility finally pushed me to take the leap and begin the business I have now: to empower all through style.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES WOMEN OF OUR GENERATION FACE, AND HOW CAN WE ADDRESS THEM?

I think the most pressing issue women face is not realizing their inherent value and beauty. I myself am guilty of this. We scroll endlessly through perfectly filtered Instagram feeds and subscribe to hurting ourselves—physically or mentally—and are desperately fighting to become the perfect woman. Spoiler alert: she doesn’t exist! I believe the foundational antidote to this issue is a revelation of our worth. Once we realize that our beauty is an inherent gift that cannot be taken away, we are free to love ourselves. And once we are able to authentically love ourselves, we are then empowered to inspire others to do the same.