Samina Virk is the US CEO of Vestiaire Collective
Off the Cuff is Luxury Daily’s Q&A series that explores the career paths, current projects, and next steps of the people who make up the world’s best luxury brands.
The interviews have a Proustian twist, allowing readers to get to know industry leaders on a personal level. The 15th edition features Samina Virk, US CEO of Vestiaire Collective.
In this Q&A, Virk talks about working with diverse teams, building villages, and fantasy lunches with the Power Trio.
The dialogue follows:
What was your first job? What did it teach you?
I was working as a proofreader for real estate appraisals for my father. This taught me the importance of paying attention to detail and the need to translate a lot of information into clear and important message points.
What skills have been important to your success? Did you learn these skills on or off the job?
Ability to work effectively with a variety of people. Whether it’s different functional teams such as creative, commercial, data or engineering teams, or colleagues from different cultural backgrounds.
Some of that came from my career. I spent the first part of my career managing cross-functional teams and clients in an agency environment. I then completed an MBA at London Business School, which was an incredibly international experience.
And some things from my personal life too. I grew up as a first-generation Pakistani American, where I had to balance and bridge two very different cultures.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
I truly feel that any advice is good. It’s all about how you translate it into your own situation.
But one of my favorites is creating a personal board of advisors. This is a group of people you can trust, seek advice from, and provide support, both personally and professionally. Build your own power group.
How has your field changed since you entered the luxury industry and what do you think your industry will look like in 10 years?
Luxury used to feel like something high-end and out of reach.
Over time, luxury has evolved into a concept that goes beyond mere material goods. The combination of technology and new business models has made it possible to access luxury in a more experiential way, including fashion, travel, and unique experiences. As technology continues to innovate, there will be even more opportunities for customized, personalized luxury experiences.
What is the most recent project that ignited your passion for luxury work?
Working in the fashion resale industry has given me a new appreciation for quality over quantity and the idea of investment products that stand the test of time. I also fell in love with the storytelling behind vintage and archival pieces.
At Vestiere Collective, sustainability is a central pillar. We were the first reselling B corporation. This had a huge impact on my awareness of the environmental impact of the fashion industry, and I was excited to bring fashion circulation to the US community.
Who would you like to share the longest lunch with, in any industry or field, and where would you take them?
I was so inspired last year when Michelle Obama, Melinda Gates, and Amal Clooney joined forces to promote gender equality and combat violence against women. I would love to have lunch with all three of them and hear about their individual journeys and how they came together as a power group. Then I invited them to my home for a relaxing and comfortable lunch.
How can you get into the right frame of mind before a big meeting or presentation?
Drink strong coffee, scan your notes, and listen to some good music.
What do you do to relax and have fun on your days off?
Long dinners with my husband or dinners with friends. A walk in the park. A good power yoga class.
What does luxury mean to you?
For me, luxury is not about material things, but about the freedom to choose how I spend my time and energy. It’s about having the flexibility to choose the experiences and moments that I enjoy the most.
What is your favorite luxury, whether it is a product or a service/experience?
Traveling is my ultimate luxury. I love traveling. I love traveling because it gives me the luxury of time to explore different places and regions. For example, on my last trip to Morocco, I experienced the energy of Marrakech, the serenity of the Atlas Mountains, and the magic of the Sahara Desert.
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