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‍Written by Aishu Wahane, Staff Data Scientist at Virtusize

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Life at Virtusize

Hello! My name is Aishwarya Wahane, but I go by Aishu. I’m a Staff Data Scientist at Virtusize. I joined the company in 2021 as a Junior Data Scientist and, over the past four years, have grown into my current role. Today, I focus on customizing our size recommendation systems by combining shopper and product data with machine learning techniques. The goal is to help people find their perfect fit with confidence!

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Why My Work Matters

What makes this work especially meaningful to me is its broader impact. By reducing size-related returns, we’re not only improving the shopping experience but also helping to cut down on the enormous clothing waste generated worldwide. Knowing that my work contributes to both customer confidence and sustainability is what keeps me motivated every day.

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What My Day-to-Day Looks Like

In my day-to-day work, I get to tackle a wide variety of projects that often start with identifying a problem we want to solve. Sometimes the solution is a simple analysis, while other times it leads to building machine learning or statistical models that improve store performance and provide more personalized recommendations. Coding is a big part of what I do: developing models, creating scripts, or productionalizing analyses so that insights and predictions can be used reliably in real time.

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How I Work With My Team

Collaboration is also a key part of my work. Within my Data & Analytics team, we have daily stand-ups, peer coding sessions, project kick-offs, knowledge transfer meetings, and collaborative ideation sessions for new projects. Code reviews and helping each other with tasks are a regular part of our workflow. We know each other so well that we can anticipate when someone might need support and step in at the right time. I also have the opportunity to hone my leadership skills while mentoring other team members.

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A Recent Challenge I Worked On

One of the most challenging projects I’ve worked recently on was developing the Optimal Ease recommendation scenario. I noticed a limitation in our existing statistical approach. This inspired me to explore a new approach - calculating ease values specifically for each shopper by considering both their body and product features, using machine learning techniques.

To tackle this, I analyzed shopper and product data, experimented with different modeling techniques, and carefully tested whether a machine learning approach could provide more accurate and personalized recommendations than our previous method. It was a highly engaging challenge that pushed me to combine technical problem-solving with practical application. My team supported me throughout this process, helping with testing and building models along with me. Seeing the feature come to life and knowing it helps shoppers find clothes that fit better was incredibly rewarding.

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Collaboration Beyond My Team

Beyond my immediate team, I regularly collaborate with developers, designers, product managers, and business teams. These interactions help me approach problems from multiple perspectives and ensure that our solutions are practical, user-friendly, and aligned with the overall shopping experience.

The culture at Virtusize has been incredibly supportive: there is a strong openness to ideas, a focus on continuous learning, and plenty of mentorship opportunities. Rituals like knowledge-sharing sessions and collaborative project kick-offs make it easy to exchange ideas and learn from each other, which keeps daily work engaging and enjoyable.

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Why Virtusize Feels Unique

Virtusize stands out in many ways. The team is truly diverse - nationalities, gender, areas of study, and prior experience are all well represented, creating a dynamic environment where there’s always something new to learn. The company culture encourages growth and curiosity: I have opportunities to take on diverse tasks, expand my knowledge in AI, and develop expertise, all while contributing meaningfully to impactful projects. Even though the company is in a growth stage, the environment still has a startup-like energy - full of drive, optimism, and collaboration. Working with high-fashion clients has been eye-opening, teaching me a lot about the fashion industry and trends I never explored before.

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Life in Tokyo

Being in Tokyo has amplified this experience. The co-working setup allows me to balance focus and social interaction, while also feeling safe and connected. Our office spaces are thoughtfully located in lively neighborhoods rich with fashion and great food spots, creating an energetic and inspiring work environment.

Living and working in Tokyo has shaped not only my career but also my identity as a woman in tech. It’s where I discovered a deeper appreciation for fashion, honed leadership skills, and learned the importance of building myself as a professional brand. I’ve even founded a data science community here in Tokyo, which has been incredibly fulfilling.

Overall, Virtusize and Tokyo together have given me a unique blend of professional growth, cultural enrichment, and personal development, making this chapter of my career both exciting and transformative. I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow, learn, and contribute here, and I’m excited for what’s next in this journey!