Unlock Your Career Potential: Maruta Velša, Drapers 30 Under 30
- Erika
- Mar 6
- 6 min read
Are you curious about what it takes to build a successful career in Fashion Tech and be recognised as Drapers 30 Under 30 in 2024?
This time on The Style Profile, we’re joined by Maruta Velša, Senior Community & Brand Manager of peer-to-peer fashion rental app By Rotation. Velša is a dear friend of mine, an inspiring Community and Marketing Expert working in Fashion Tech, By Rotation. Not to mention that, she has a great sense of style, Velša is that IT Girl from 'Sex And The City', London edition.
Conversations between Velša and I about career and personal growth, stimulate my mind tremendously. Being at each other's major work events, and celebrating her growth, success and recognition make me feel proud and inspired as a friend. Hence, I have to invite Velša on Style Profile as many of you will feel inspired and motivated after reading her story.
Now, as part of Drapers 30 Under 30, Velša thinks the right career isn't about having the perfect experience on paper, but being passionate. We sat down with her to discuss her career journey in Fashion Tech, career advice for young women, and how to navigate career success. Lastly, we talked about how she developed her style and a local city guide in London.
We know that you joined the peer-to-peer rental app By Rotation as its first full-time employee in August 2019, and now you have been promoted to Senior Community & Brand Manager. We can see your impressive growth within the company over these 6 years, and getting recognised as Drapers 30 Under 30 in 2024. Can you walk us down your career journey?
I’ve always been creative, I think it comes from my mum, who is a florist or my grandfather, who used to work on live TV sets and taught me the basics of photography - I remember him teaching me how to shoot flowers and get interesting angles in our garden back in Latvia.
During my high school years, I already knew I wanted to work in the creative industry and I loved fashion, so I started interning in some of Latvia’s fashion magazines, as a stylist assistant and learning copywriting. I also did a few internships at fashion brands supporting social media, but I soon realised that the fashion industry in Latvia at that time had its limitations.
I’m a high achiever and always aim for excellent grades in school, at one point I even considered becoming a doctor and I completed a medical school preparation course, but I soon realised it was not my passion.
I decided to move to the UK to study Fashion, it was such a scary moment, leaving my family and friends behind, but the motivation that I’ve chosen to do something that I’m passionate about was pushing me to study as hard as I can, and prove that I’m capable of creating a path of my own.
I graduated from the University in Southampton in 2019 with first-class honours (Again, I had to get the best grades) and even before graduation, I jumped into an internship at New Look's HQ, when others decided to take a gap year. I remember working extra hours at my part-time job to save enough money to pay my rent and also travel to London daily from Southampton (it’s about a 2-hour train journey one way). I was determined to make it work and I’ve always had a strong work ethic, especially being an immigrant in a foreign country, I felt the pressure to work harder to succeed.
The New Look internship was a valuable experience, but it made me realise and witness the impact of fast fashion. I realised I wanted to work in a company that aligned with my values.
I came across By Rotation on Instagram, when the account had around 1,000 followers. I didn’t even think twice, and I reached out and asked if the company would be open to taking me on as an intern, I believed from day one, how incredible this idea is! I met Eshita Kabra, the Founder & CEO of By Rotation, soon after for an interview, and haven’t looked back ever since. The By Rotation app was launched a few months after I joined in October 2019, so it’s been an incredible journey of growing with the company and our Rotator Community since day one.
"I didn’t even think twice, and I reached out and asked if the company would be open to taking me on as an intern, I believed from day one, how incredible this idea is!"
How do you navigate your career in Fashion Tech and know that you’ve successfully entered the right profession?
I’ve been working at By Rotation for more than 5 and a half years now, I still go to work excited and genuinely love what I do. Working in a company that leaves you with a sense of fulfilment, is a key indicator that you are in the right profession. There are days when we face obstacles and it can get stressful, but that’s what I love about working in a fast-paced startup environment: every day is truly different and you have to be resourceful, think outside the box, and be very agile. Plus, I get to work with such talented and hard-working people.
Can you share one of your favourite memories working in Fashion Tech?
There have been so many and every project or milestone that By Rotation has hit, I think it has also taught me something personal, there is nothing our Team could not do!
If I have to narrow it down, I’ve loved working on executing By Rotation’s retail spaces, from working on our first pop-up store at Westfield London in 2020 (4,000 square feet!) to launching the world’s largest rental townhouse this November in Mayfair: The House of ByRo. It’s been incredible creating a hub for our Community that goes beyond renting clothes, we’ve already hosted so many insightful and inspiring events at the townhouse, from panel discussions led by Eshita on all things entrepreneurship to our Top Lender supper clubs. Many more to come this year!
You always have a special eye for things and trends. Your events and content are eye-catching and memorable to the global community of loyal fans. How do you stay creative in this overstimulating digital world?
I’m a big believer in connecting with nature. I think it’s in my Latvian pagan roots. If I could, I would spend all day walking around the forest! In London, I love Hampstead Heath, and that’s where I spend most of my weekends.
I also like to activate my creative muscles by doing tangible DIYs. I love to scrapbook, I think I’m one of the only people who still print out physical pictures for my scrapbook albums.
I let my mind rest from the digital aspect of my job, and then all the creative ideas flow naturally!
"I’m a big believer in connecting with nature, I think it’s in my Latvian pagan roots."
If you could share one piece of advice to younger women who want to explore their careers in fashion tech, what would that be?
Work for the job you want, not the one you have. You might not have the perfect experience on paper, but being passionate, showing initiative and always showing up with a positive attitude goes a long way.
What are three words you would use to describe your style?
Vintage, feminine and rotated (on the By Rotation app!)
What’s your everyday go-to outfit?
Recently, I’ve been loving colour blocking, especially chocolate brown. I found this amazing vintage fur coat in Latvia, that I pair with monochrome suit trousers. If I have after-work plans with friends, I will change into my red Poster Girl top and add a pair of burgundy heeled boots.
What’s the best thing about living in London?
Meeting so many interesting and global people! I’ve become friends with inspiring, like-minded people (like Erika!!) that I will cherish forever.
Can you give us a little London guide?
Some spots that are worth the hype in Hampstead.
Grocery Post, West Hampstead - NYC-style deli and coffee shop
28 Church Row, Hampstead - cute wine bar and small plates
The Spaniards Inn - cute pub + guaranteed celeb spotting, like Harry Styles
Other London spots I love,
Booking Office 1869 for the vibes and their espresso martini 10/10
Ducksoup in Soho for date night
Aimé Leon Dore store in Soho - I love the vibe in there and they also have a coffee shop
Shreeji News on Chiltern Street for magazine and book inspiration
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