We decided to select some of the many women who inspire in the fashion industry and all the other pillars of our lives this women’s week. We chose a few women who break patterns with innovation and sensitivity.
Obviously, this is a tiny space to put all the amazing women who stand out in the industry every day. In this article, you’ll meet 15 of these women that inspire.
Women That Inspire: Anita Dongre
One of our many speakers, Anita Dongre, has been at the forefront of Indian fashion for over 20 years. She created one of the most successful fashion houses in India. Today, she employs over 2,500 people directly. Also, she provides employment opportunities to thousands more.
Launched in 1995 and born out of the need to create and cater to the fashion choices of an Indian woman at a time when not many brands existed. Today the House of Anita Dongre proudly boasts of a multi-dimensional portfolio with brands such as AND, Global Desi, and Anita Dongre Bridal Couture.
Handicraft is the second largest industry in India after agriculture and farming. And Anita Dongre particularly likes the idea of social sustainability. She can provide work to women artisans who work from their homes in a rural village.
Women That Inspire: Ann Lowe
Now, let’s go back in time a little bit and tell the story of one of these women that inspire: Ann Lowe. She was born in Clayton, Alabama, in 1898. Her grandmother was born into slavery. And her mother ran a dress-making business. Then, Lowe learned her talents from a young age.
According to Black Past, Ann Cole Lowe was the first African American to become a fashion designer. “Lowe’s one-of-a-kind designs were favored by wealthy and socially prominent women from the 1920s to the 1960s”.
The designer is very inspirational and undoubtedly marked the fashion industry. In 1953, Ann designed the wedding dress worn by Jacqueline Bouvier when she married John F. Kennedy.
Women That Inspire: Gabriela Hearst
Gabriela Hearst is from the Paysandu region of Uruguay, her home country. The stylist is part of the sixth generation of a family of sheep farmers. In her creations, the designer works with ecological materials of extreme quality.
As said on Gabriela Hearst’s website, she wanted to create a brand that reflects a slower pace and process. “Where things are made with care and detail, where tradition is more important than trend, where there is a purpose to every piece.”
Gabriela created 40% of the collection for Chloé with textile waste. Also, the CO2 emissions of the presentation were neutralized. Using The Guardian words, “Hearst believes – unlike many – that it is possible for fashion to be a force for good.”
Women That Inspire: Juana Burga
Peruvian model, actress, and activist Juana Burga has appeared in many notable magazines, including in international editions of Vogue, as well as graced the covers of L’Officiel, Grazia, Caras, and more.
Juana mainly defends her roots, as she said in the last 6th Worldwide Talks. She created Nuna Awak (“Soul of the Artisan” in Quechua), a platform and a global community that supports and protects textile and natural fiber craftswomen and their families. Nuna Awak also allows the world to appreciate a thousand years’ worth of culture.
Burga’s meteoric rise in the industry earned her recognition as the most successful Peruvian model of all time by COSAS Peru and as one of the most powerful Peruvian women by Ellos Y Ellas Magazine. She is an ambassador in Peru working to protect local artisans who produce and export sustainable fibers worldwide.
Women That Inspire: Kavita Basi
After surviving a life-changing brain hemorrhage, Kavita Basi is committed to making a difference in the world. Kavita still suffers from daily challenges – short-term memory loss, extreme fatigue, mental health, high anxiety and others.
For her, it’s important to support others and continue her mission of giving back by showing that even through such adversity, you can have some hope.
Kavita Basi has always been interested in sustainability and social changes. As a result, wanting to live better due to her life-changing experience. It all helped to enhance my focus around this.
In addition, she decided to create Ration. L. The brand works on key sustainable products with longevity, designing with intent, eco-materials that are recycled, vegan & cruelty-free through to biodegradable packaging. 5% profits go to the Brain & Spine Found, two of three neuro charities that she is the ambassador.
To sum up, Kavita is also the founder of REFLEXONE, activewear made from recycled plastic yarn and 5% profits go to the Bee Found.
Women That Inspire: Lais Ribeiro
One of the most prestigious names in international fashion, Brazilian Lais Ribeiro, was studying to be a nurse. But JOY Management model revealed her as a model in a contest in 2009.
Not only that, but our audience was honored to hear her sensitives words at the 6th Worldwide Talks. Lais told us about her trajectory in the fashion world. You can watch it by clicking here.
Today, at the age of 32, she emerges among today’s most important top models. She is ranked as one of the sexiest women in the world by Models.com. She also collects work for the biggest brands in the world, such as Dior, Versace, Gucci, Givenchy, among many others.
Alexandre’s mother, Lais became an important spokesperson for autism. This is the condition of her 13-year-old son. In addition to engaging in the fight against prejudice, she seeks to include black and transgender talent in the fashion market.
Daughter of a Portuguese teacher and a civil servant, Lais overcame challenges and takes the name of Brazil around the world. She uses fashion as a tool to include diversity and open up opportunities.
Women That Inspire: Miuccia Prada
Miuccia Prada is one of these women that inspire. She was born in Milan in 1949, granddaughter of Mario Prada. Miuccia graduated in political science, discovered herself as a feminist and studied mime for five years at Piccolo Teatro.
According to BoF, she entered the family business in 1978. Miuccia began designing for her family’s accessories house in 1985, producing a line of black lightweight backpacks that were an immediate success. To sum up, In 1992, Miuccia founded Miu Miu, a second line designed for a younger audience.
Women That Inspire: Norma Kamali
A successful stylist for 50 years, Norma Kamali is an iconic name in fashion and is known for her innovative approach to classic, timeless style.
Kamali researched and sought out immune-boosting products for self-care and included juices, workout classes and enlisted pioneers in this world to speak at the Wellness Cafe.
She believes that timeless ingredients work are safe and sustainable. The SKINLINE is the first core collection. The concept is simple; the products are for the face and body. All are massaged onto dry skin.
In conclusion, today she developed the NORMALIFE brand, built on what she learned and developed over the last 20 years for the WELLNESS CAFE.
Women That Inspire: Sinead Bovell
Sinead Bovell is a fashion model, futurist and the founder of WAYE, a tech education that prepares youth for a future with advanced technologies.
As a result, she leverages her platform as a model to bring awareness to the changing world of technology and to change the narrative of ‘who should be talking tech.’
In conclusion, Sinead has educated over 10, 000 young entrepreneurs on the future of technology, and has spoken at world-renowned institutions.
It includes the United Nations, Cornell University and Bloomberg on the intersection of business, technology and the future.
Check out our post about social entrepreneurship and how it can help change women’s lives.
