Aabha Bakaya | Finely Crafted Journeys

Zoya honours the profound journey of a woman reconnecting with her feminine self through bespoke creations that celebrate her true essence. In our Finely Crafted Journeys column, we share insights from the lives of iconic women who have left an indelible mark on the world.

In this edition, our muse is Aabha Bakaya, a career business journalist, news anchor, editor and producer turned-entrepreneur who founded Ladies Who Lead, a members-only circle of women achievers.

Tell us about your journey.

I have always been driven and ambitious, especially when it comes to learning and growth. The world today is allowing women more opportunities to participate in the workforce and build on their strengths. I feel I have a great vantage point [to this shift], both as a journalist and as a founder. My entrepreneurial venture was built to be supportive of others in their journey — from facilitating knowledge sharing, collaborations and connections to celebrating their successes.

What do you enjoy the most about your craft?

My craft allowed me to connect with various people — mentors, leaders, friends — and discover their life stories, something I have always enjoyed. These conversations contributed to my own journey to success, defining how I approached the challenges that came my way.

What has your craft taught you about yourself?

It surprised me, offering unexpected possibilities and opportunities. It made me more confident and less afraid to take chances and imbued me with self-belief and motivation to keep going by giving me a voice and the ability to make an impact.

ZOYA and you...

The stories that inspire ZOYA's beautiful designs celebrate women being their most authentic self. This is an idea that I inherently resonate with. The pieces are just beautiful, and I love that the atelier puts so much thought into marrying fine craftsmanship with its stories.