; Inside Retail: Can you tell us about your career journey? How did you initially get into the retail industry? Gabby Hirata: I’ve spent 15-plus years in the retail fashion industry. I started my career in production with Ralph Lauren.  I’ve always wanted to be more at the front of the house driving the business versus more in the back of the house infrastructure, which is no less important, just a different type of role.  I’ve always wanted to pivot from production to a driver’s seat position and felt really lucky to be given the opportunity to join Diane von Furstenberg (DVF) in the CEO position. I felt well supported by Diane and the board to turn around the business and to grow the business globally, especially among millennial customers.  I literally thought I would be in that position forever because I was so in love with the brand and the whole team. However, I thought that the fashion industry was changing so fast and that the retail industry was going through a declining stage. At the same time, the tech industry had been growing and I was really intrigued by what could happen at a crossroads between the retail industry and the tech industry. So that’s when I first came to learn about Halara. IR: What inspired the transition from DVF to Halara? GH: I bought my first Halara skirt, without knowing anyone at the brand, in 2021. My daughter was two years old at that time and once you become a mom there are so many clothes that you have, especially my own, that are designer and are not machine-washable, just dry-clean only. A lot of the clothes that I used to wear I couldn’t wear anymore as a mom to a toddler.  I was specifically looking on the market for a machine washable mini-skort with a pocket that was also cute. So when I saw a Halara skort, one of the brand’s most viral products, I just couldn’t resist. Once I got it, I couldn’t comprehend how the quality was so insanely good for US$25 and that was my first touchpoint with the brand.  When the founder and CEO [Joyce Zhang] eventually recruited me, it was just love at first sight.  So I joined Halara in 2023 and that was when the brand was less than two years old and it has been growing tremendously fast year-over-year since it launched.  IR: What has been your favourite part about working in the retail industry for so many years? GH: Building physical products that make women feel confident. IR: What are some of the key leadership lessons you’ve picked up over the course of your career? GH: Things are never as bad as they seem. There’s always a solution! My time at Halara especially taught me to build different scenarios and create Plans A, B, etc, to tackle fast-changing problems. IR: Who are your business heroes? GH: Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, and Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. IR: Where do you go for career advice?  GH: I enjoy listening to the Pivot podcast and recently got a lot out of Measure What Matters by John Doerr. However, when it comes to tackling complex situations, my go-to is my “first team” at Halara – the smart people from different departments who help me break down problems. I lean heavily on Halara’s senior leadership team for advice. IR: How do you maintain a work/life balance?  GH: Being part of the team that shapes the Halara ethos has taught me that life is wonderfully diverse, with no single best way to live or look. This journey has helped me reach a new level of self-acceptance, allowing me to feel okay not being a high-achiever every single day. Embracing this mindset has been essential for maintaining my work/life balance. IR: Do you have any work “hacks” or productivity tips and tricks? GH: I do a 10-minute meditation using Headspace before diving into intense work. It really helps me get into the flow. IR: The item in my toolbox that makes me feel prepared is… GH: My phone which allows me to be on social media all the time.  IR: Do you have any favourite apps or tools that you use to manage your time? GH: I use a built-in TikTok tool that reminds me to stop after 30 minutes. It’s a gentle nudge to manage my social media use, which is great since most apps aim to keep you hooked. IR: What is the piece of advice that you would give to somebody who wants to be in a position similar to the one you have today? GH: I love this quote from Sheryl Sandberg: “Careers are a jungle gym, not a ladder.” She means career paths aren’t straight lines anymore. We have more flexibility and choices, and we’re willing to take risks for opportunities we believe in. I know I am! IR: What do you think has been one of the biggest highlights over the course of your career? GH: Getting a chance to join Ralph Lauren headquarters in New York straight out of college as an international student; joining Halara and learning about the exciting world of tech-driven athleisure brands; and becoming the CEO of DVF and running an iconic brand – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Being trusted by Diane [von Furstenberg] and having the opportunity to become the CEO of such an iconic brand…that was by far the most life-changing experience I had other than having my family. Further reading: How Halara uses machine learning to make just the right amount of activewear