Please introduce yourself & your company
My name is Hacinta Naidoo, I am the Diversity & Inclusion Manager at Ralph Lauren.
What is your morning routine?
I’m definitely not a morning person, so I like to start my day with coffee, yoga and then work my way through emails. I hardly schedule any calls between 8-9am. They just feel so inhumane.
How did you become involved with the luxury fashion industry?
Ralph Lauren was my first introduction into the fashion industry, and I haven’t left. I saw a job opening with RL and thought this is something I could do. I applied for it but thought that I would never hear back from them. A couple of weeks later, Rebecca (my first manager at RL) contacted me. We had a good conversation about myself and the role. She invited me in for the 1st interview… excitement and then dread dawned on me… what do I wear to Ralph Lauren? I don’t look like the models nor do I have the body for this role. Should I even go, or am I setting myself up to fail?
I ended up wearing a shirt dress and heels. If you have never been to the Bond Street store, it’s a must! My interview was in the offices above the store, and as a candidate all I thought was WOW! How lucky would I be to work here? Rebecca had offices on the 6th floor and the view was breathtaking.
What is your main responsibility?
My role consists of two parts: I am the D&I lead for EMEA as well as the Global Lead for our 360-disability strategy.
I ensure that our global strategy resonates locally, and encourages, supports and works within our local communities to drive initiatives. This could include anything from events to communication. My work around disability is at the foundational stage, and it’s the most complex pillar in D&I. How do you make an organisation inclusive for seen and unseen disabilities from a consumer and employee perspective? I’m lucky to be partnering with amazing advocates and allies on this journey. Not only am I learning, but I’m excited to see how the organisation and industry will transform in the next couple of years too.
What’s the best part of your role?
Honestly, it’s speaking for communities that wouldn’t normally have a voice to do so. It’s all about seeing social change emerge within RL & externally.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
The world is a complex place and there are so many social issues, at points you take on those as your own problem. Feeling that the whole world’s problems are on your shoulders… wishing you can do so much more than you do. Wishing that the day sometimes had 48 hours just so you can service all those people that need an outlet to speak, be heard and seen.
What is / are your most memorable work moment?
I have so many since being at RL…
Holding a career’s day for schools around London that would not normally have access to a corporation like RL. Meeting and presenting to the CEO of RL (a FTSE 500 company) was a huge achievement and memorable moment, especially as a woman from a minority group who grew up in a small Indian area in South Africa due to apartheid. Stories like this are few and far apart, especially where I am from.
Finally attending Wimbledon as a RL guest!!
The whole experience from being fetched from my door to watching a match in centre court… super memorable moment.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in the same profession?
In the UK, it’s easier for the younger generation to get into any profession. If they have a passion and work hard for it. I know depending on your background this may seem impossible I’m not naïve to understand how the system works, but there are MORE opportunities for you than ever before.
Yes, there is still the element that doctors, lawyers etc. still require a degree and if that’s the avenue you wish to pursue, great, but those aren’t your only options.
In other parts of the world, you have few options and need degrees in order to get into that profession.
Find an apprenticeship, find an internship and develop your skill from there. I attended a talk for black history month and it just stuck with me since; you are your ancestor’s wildest dreams. Unless your ancestor was Mandela, you are your ancestors’ greatest gift and wildest dream. It is your responsibility to do better, to be better, to allow the next generation to surpass what we have done in this lifetime.