Mahua stared at herself in the mirror. A sophisticated, exotic looking Indian woman stared back at her. "Is this really me?", she wondered. The woman in the mirror smiled back confidently, almost unrecognisable to her in a smooth chiffon sari, chic haircut and designer accessories. It suited her, this look that she had taken such pains to culticvate. No one else knew how scared and unsure she was inside.

Today was her first day in Seoul. Mahua mused over the odd whirlwind of her life over the last eight years. From the crazy tomboy days in college, graduating top of her class in business school, her career in advertising, working with top brands and campaigns..to her current position as Head of Marketing for Louis Vuitton's East Asian office.

It hadn't come easy.

It had meant being married to her job, being smart and ruthless in a world still dominated by men, struggling to gain recognition from corporate headquarters at a time when India was still considered the boondocks where fashion and haute couture were concerned. But her first break with an award winning campaign for the Cartier launch in India, and a series of recognitions for ads that had trebled brand revenues had brought her to where she now stood.

Everyone knew she was a maverick. She didn't do schmoozing, kept mostly to herself, could rarely be seen partying and couldn't dance to save her life! She had few friends and while she was well liked by the teams she worked with, she didn't quite fit in with the glamorous worlf of media and fashion.There were a few who still believed that she didn't have it in her. Heck, there were times she didn't either! But she had survived and she now needed to show people that a girl who wore dull business suits, no lipstick or jewellery, and didn't know what a manicure was all about, could successfully lead marketing for one of the world's largest luxury brands.

But James trusted her all along. He had backed her her in spite of stiff resistance among peers in his last firm, and she had delivered time and again. Even the naysayers now felt she had some magic connection with her target audience, she just knew what would sell. Each of her campaigns was controversial. Often totally against the grain of consumer research and brand studies. But sold merchandise, brought in ratings, topped recall and memorability charts.

And so, James had called her late one Friday night and asked if she wanted to be part of his new team at LVMH. The role was her first in Asia, outside of India which she left four long years back. It also meant she wouldn't have to deliver only at work, but also be a face for the brand. That was what had made her ask for time to consider the offer. It was a fabulous career move for her, but she wasn't confident she could change her image as the role demanded of her.