India Hicks – Humanitarian, Designer, Entrepreneur, Author and Mother of five

Granddaughter of the last Viceroy of India, daughter of Lady Pamela Hicks and famed interior decorator David Hicks, India Hicks is a woman who has authored four design books, modelled for Ralph Lauren, among others but most of all she writes a history of life as a true humanitarian.

Interview by Ada Iliopoulou

Photographer: Giannis Vastardis
Assistant Photographer: Elena Vastardi
Makeup: Ioli G (@lolly__gr)
Hair Stylist: Maria by Kings & Queens Faliro
Outfit: by Themis Z
Special thanks to Athens Capital Hotel for providing the space.

How did your interest in women’s rights begin?

I grew up surrounded by strong, determined women whose everyday lives embodied courage and resilience. My Aunt and my mother were perfect examples of this.

You are a woman who had many trips to Ukraine to help women and children. Tell us about what you’ve experienced.

The day after the Russian invasion of Ukraine Global Empowerment Mission arrived as one of the first international organizations on the Medyka border. I arrived a few weeks later, to volunteer, to raise funds, and to write about what I saw. I now return every few months. I feel part of the GEM Ukraine family. I have headed deep into the East several times since, right to where we can hear missiles overhead and feel tremors under our feet. We are fully bullet-proof, which feels very unjust as we spend time with many women both old and young who are completely unarmed and unprotected. Even in ghost towns, there are people. Mainly elderly women, who could not or would not leave. In the cities hundreds. In the countryside handfuls. Everyone is desperate but everyone is grateful. Their spirit is still strong. The women tell us “We will never be Russian.”

You come from a family with a strong mother, the lady Pamela. How did she inspire you?

My mother may have grown up surrounded by dazzling people, places, houses, and history, but her parents made it clear from an early age, that she was never allowed to «swan around». The moment she arrived in India at the tender age of 17, following her parents who had been appointed as the last Viceroy and Vicereine, she was put to work in the medical camps just outside Delhi. This led to a lifelong involvement with charitable organisations – and to me (and in turn my daughter) being aware from an early age that «from whom much is given much is expected. »

You are also a mother of five. How did you manage both, kids and work?  What do you propose to all of us?

Raising a family on a small island in the middle of the Caribbean comes with its challenges. Hibiscus Hill, our home, provided us with a blank canvas to paint our own story. What followed was not only an enduring bond between us but also a deep connection with island life.

The greatest gift I’ve ever received is the love of all five of my children. I always tell them, “Remember this, kids—you are the ones who get to write the rest of the story. So make it a good one.”

What would you say is the most important aspect of your vision for women’s rights?

At its core, my vision is about empowerment and inclusion. I believe that every woman deserves the opportunity to define her own destiny, free from societal constraints or prejudice. It’s about creating environments where women are supported, celebrated, and given the tools to lead—because when women thrive, entire communities flourish.

You are also a patron of The King’s Trust. Can you tell us more about it?

“Women Supporting Women” was established at The King’s Trust in 2018 to help young women who face disadvantage and adversity to transform their lives. It’s been a huge privilege to play a small part in supporting this initiative

Share with us a quote that can inspire all women for the next step in their life.

“A woman’s strength is not defined by the challenges she endures, but by the light she brings to overcome them.”

Thank you very much!