A little about Ashitha
Ashitha Nagesh is an award-winning news journalist based in London.
Her work includes pieces on vegan anarchists in St Petersburg, Russia; the mental and physical health impacts of slaughterhouse work; and several pieces on insecure work and its role in entrenching racial and class inequality.
She also has a Shetland Sheepdog girl called Anwen!
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate International Women’s Day?
The fight isn't over, women are being attacked and murdered every day. Things are particularly bad for women of colour and trans women - which is why feminism should be intersectional with anti-racism and LGBTQ+ rights. More than a celebration, IWD should be a call to arms, and a reminder that we still have a way to go.
This year’s theme is #ChooseToChallenge. Tell us about a time when you were faced with an obstacle that you challenged.
I was never a sporty person and was horrifically unfit all through school - but in 2015 I ran the London Marathon to raise money for the domestic abuse charity Refuge.
Tell me a time you felt the most empowered.
See above! I wanted to be super petty and send my finishing line photo to all of my old school PE teachers (don't worry, I didn't).
What was your dream job as a little girl?
Journalist. Or cartoonist!
If you could have dinner with 3 women, dead or alive, who would they be and why?
My Grandma (Mum's Mum, who has passed away), my Mum and my Sister - it would just be a really fun dinner, and I've been missing my family over lockdown.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to 18 year old you?
Get into exercising now instead of skiving off PE to eat cake with Naomi (De Haan, the founder of this label!) - believe it or not you'll enjoy working out when you're older.
What is a change you would like to see for women in the next generation?
There are so many - pay equality, an end to sweatshop slavery in the fashion world, and for mainstream feminism to finally include anti-racism and trans rights at its core.
What is your favourite thing about being a woman?
'...is the prerogative to have a little fun!' (I've got this song in my head now)
Edge o’ Beyond is inspired by you and has a range named after you. Who is a woman that inspires you and why?
My Mum - for one, she's a doctor and has been on the front lines of the Covid pandemic for the past year. But on top of that she moved to a completely new country in her early 20s, with no support system here at all, and has become incredibly successful. She's also really funny and legitimately the nicest, smartest person I know - we're best friends as well as being mother and daughter.
What’s your favourite EOB range?
Ashitha of course! But following that Marinette, because I can wave my arms about and say "I'm not wearing any underweaaaar!" to my husband in a silly voice.
Each EOB lingerie + swim range is inspired by + named after a wonderful real-life woman. We're extending our celebration of International Women's Day 2021 + taking the opportunity to introduce you to some of them.
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