Inspirational Women from The Fashion Industry.

Yesterday we celebrated international Womens Day, it got me thinking about women who inspire me every single day to get up and keep going. I share this list as well to hopefully also inspire you know that we secretly rule the world.

Why these women are inspiring.

We can’t talk about inspiring women without highlighting the direction they’ve shifted society to come. In a world with a pay gap between men and women. Sexist remarks on how women should ‘be in the kitchen’ and a rape culture where women are asked ‘what we’re you wearing’. We need these inspiring individuals to prove to us the world can change.

Sustainability in the Fashion Industry.

The fashion Industry sees 80% of garment factory workers being female and paid under 3$ an hour. (statistic taken from zero waste cutie on Instagram) The fashion industry is one of the main culprits for mistreatment and inequality of women. With CEOs being men in suits they only look for the dollar signs rather than equality.

Fair trade is a trademark which promotes companies who have better working conditions and local sustainability. Ensuring that the companies pay a fair price for goods and promotes change to the world. Last week was fair trade fortnight as well.

Fashion Revolution release the Fashion Transparency Index every year to show which companies were buying from are most ethical and sustainable.

The industry is far from being an ethical workplace, but by taking small steps we can slowly work towards these goals.

Feminism.

Have you watched Moxie yet on Netflix? The film is about a group of high school girls who fight for their rights for equality in their school. The movie addresses a lot of topics surrounding sexism in today’s society. To say that I didn’t get emotional about the movie would be a lie, it really hit home!

“Quite simply, feminism is about all genders having equal rights and opportunities.”

the international women development agency.

It’s about respecting diverse women’s experiences, identities, knowledge and strengths, and striving to empower all women to realise their full rights.

It’s about levelling the playing field between genders, and ensuring that diverse women and girls have the same opportunities in life available to boys and men.”

Mary Portas and the kindness economy.

Beginning her career at the department store, Mary continued on to create success for Harrods in the Modern Fashion Department. Which led her to success. She has been writing the weekly column Shop! For the Daily Telegraph.

I have been a massive fan of The Kindness Economy Podcast before it had its makeover. Mary interviews a variety of different people (usually owners of companies) about how they run a ‘kind’ business.

‘We now have a real backlash against fast fashion. We’re seeing a rise in recycling, upcycling, vintage, secondhand. We’ve got global marches, we’ve got a real mistrust in large organisations. And on the back of that a rise in volunteering.
Old-school consumer culture, reducing people to what they buy rather than who they are, is dying. And businesses that were set up to feed that beast are crumbling. This new era, The Kindness Economy, is going to be about sentience. It’s going to be about care, respect and understanding the implications of what we are doing.’ Mary Portas on Raconteur.

Vionnet

Feminism dates back to a very long time ago. In the 1920s Vionnet protested against the form fitting Victorian Era of clothing, creating beautiful bias cut gowns which hung from the body.

“Dresses became tubular, not showing the curves of the female figure and had dropped waistlines sitting at the hip. The hemlines became slightly raised in comparison to Victorian gowns, with the hem now sitting between the ankle and mid-calf.” from the fashion design academy.

She was referred to as a feminist before they term actually existed. She is was known for her liberal work such as offering maternity leave for her seamstresses and showing the bare leg of her models (from cool hunting) a truly inspirational figure.

Elizabeth L.Cline

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The author of the conscious closet received raving review for her book. ”A THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED BLUEPRINT FOR MAKING SUSTAINABLE, HUMANE CLOTHING DECISIONS.” – PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

Her writing aims to help readers to continue to look good, whilst also feeling good as they’ve made conscious decisions on their wardrobe.

The book is a must read for all fashion lovers and it is filled with many hints and tips to revolutionise your wardrobe.

Audrey Hepburn

Never referred to directly as a feminist, however in my eyes she was. She played the lead role in her movies with such joy and independence. Even outside of her work space she worked with UNICEF and multiple charities with the focus on making the world a better place.

I always admired her for how bold and unfiltered she was. Straight to the point and not focused on looks. I always wondered if she were to be born into a more recent generation what impact she would have on the world.

“The beauty in a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart; the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring and that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows and the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”

Audrey Hepburn taken from Goalcast

And You.

If you’re taking the time to read this post it is likely that you reside with the feminist movement. As women we all need to stick together and remember the rights we have.

To the future. Read more of our blog posts here.

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