The world of fashion is a huge industry with many successful stories and businesses. It’s a world where it’s mostly men who dominate the CEO positions, but times are changing. It’s now 2018 and an increasing amount of woman are creating a name for themselves in this fast changing industry filled with fierce competition. These women are true inspirations for all you great girls out there and so we decided to choose 5 women that, according to us, are changing the industry and are making it easier for us to break through.
Queen of Vogue
As our first inspiring woman we choose someone that has not only been at the head of a big fashion magazine since years but has also become indispensable in today’s fashion industry. Her iconic bob haircut worn with big sunglasses makes it hard not to recognise her. Yes, that’s right, we’re talking about the one and only Anna Wintour. She has been the editor-in-chief at Vogue since 1988 and on top of that she became the artistic director for Condé Nast in 2013. She is an inspiration for many girls and became a very respected person in fashion, especially for her great taste in fashion and support for young & upcoming designers.
Many of you might know the yearly event on the “First Monday in May, where celebrities show off their outfit that matches the yearly theme. The New York Metropolitan Museum, the MET, has the honour of having Anna Wintour as a trustee and as a result they renamed the custume department after her in 2014.
Founder of Net-à-Porter
E-commerce platform Net-a-Porter has revolutionized luxury fashion retail and has now grown to be the Net-a-Porter Group including the luxury e-outlet The Outnet and menswear platform Mr Porter. This amazing platform has been created by the British entrepreneur guru Natalie Massenet,who stepped down in 2015 and focused on her role as chair of the British Fashion Council. Today Natalie works as non-executive co-chairman at Farfetch and continues to inspire girls with her passion for innovation and entrepreneurship.
In 2016 her efforts in the industry resulted in the naming of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, which refers to her contributions in the UK fashion and retail industries.
DVF
The Belgian born American Diane Von Fürstenberg has become one of the leading female designers in the fashion industry. She launched her brand in 1970, but it was her iconic wrap dress, created in 1974, that she became a famous and well-respected fashion designer. She is actively empowering women through her position on the board of Vital Voices, an organization that guides emerging female leaders and entrepreneurs.
Diane started her career in Paris as an assistant to Albert Koski and later on she acted as an apprentice to Angelo Ferretti, an Italian textile manufacturer. It was in 1969 that she decided to move to New York and where she started producing her own line of jersey dresses.
In 2005, she was given the lifetime achievement award by the CFDA and it was followed by Diane being elected as president of the influential Council.
Sustainable Fashion
When talking about an established luxury fashion brand that emphasizes on sustainability and acts against animal cruelty, the first name to come to mind is the great Stella McCartney. Stella started her fashion career at the young age of 16, while interning at Christian Lacroix. She went on to study at the prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and graduated successfully in 1995. Only two years later, in 1997 she was appointed creative director at the Paris based fashion house Chloe.
Finally, in 2001 she launched her own brand, where she accentuates the modern femininity and tailoring while creating a global and sustainable fashion empire.
In 2012 and again in 2016, she and her team had the honors to be appointed to the British Olympics team to design their apparel. This was the first time in history that a leading fashion designer was given this amazing privilege.
In May 2018 she had the occasion to design the second wedding dress of The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, which once again proves the greatness of the fashion designer.
Chiara Ferragni
What started out as a blog in 2009, resulted in one of the most successful careers in Fashion. Chiara Ferragni is known worldwide and is well respected in the fashion industry. Being an international influencer, blogger, fashion designer, businesswoman and model, Chiara created a real empire. In 2011 she was introduced as “One of the biggest Breakdown street-style of the year” in New York. Little did she know that seven years later she would be attending all the major fashion shows, be on covers of big fashion magazines and traveling the world for her job.
Her brand “Chiara Ferragni Collection” is doing very well online and in 2017 she had the chance of opening the first flagship store in Milano.
Today Chiara is living in between Los Angeles and Milan with her fiancé Fedez, their son Leone and dog. She has found the perfect balance between motherhood and a successful, and very busy career.
Who does inspire you in fashion? Leave your comments below
Words Virginie Dardenne
