The definition of what it means to be a woman is constantly evolving. On the occasion of International Women s Day, we look back at the young creatives, leading designers and iconic stars that continue to shine, marked by their new appointments, international recognition and most importantly, the ability to inspire. Even in a world riddled with challenges and uncertainty, these women continued to achieve the best in what they most believed in.
Gabriella Hearst at the helm of two leading fashion houses
When Gabriela Hearst was announced the new artistic director of Chloé, it cemented the powerful direction towards sustainability that even the oldest French fashion houses in the world are headed for. The Uruguayan, New York-based designer’s statement-making conscious approach, where she uses deadstock materials, eco-friendly fabrics and recycled yarns whenever she can, also won her the latest CFDA’s Womenswear Designer prize. For her debut show at Chloé which came soon after
Whitney Bromberg Hawkings was working for fashion designer Tom Ford when she became frustrated with the cost and inconsistency of the flowers she was buying and sending.Â
After 19 years with Ford, she decided to start FLOWERBX, an online flower delivery services company that sources the freshest flowers, direct from growers. She specializes in seasonally optimal flowers, like peonies in the spring and in the fall hydrangea, followed by ranunculus in the winter.Â
âI wanted to create a branded floral offering,â Hawkings said. âAs a working mom, I was buying everything online. I bought my weekly farm-fresh groceries online, my clothes online, my beauty online. Yet, I found it was impossible to buy flowers in a simple, chic and fuss-free way online.â
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Digital shows here to stay as fashion week gets a makeover
Fashion and Beauty - By
Reuters | March 7th 2021 at 11:15:28 GMT +0300
A screen set up in Milan for the Prada Fall/Winter 2021/2022 show (Photo: Reuters/Alessandro Garofalo)
From models strutting inside an empty museum to designers absenting themselves from the catwalk calendar, this season’s virtual fashion weeks have been re-styled with a new look many expect will endure when traditional runway shows resume.
COVID-19 restrictions forced New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks to go virtual in the past year, with brands rethinking how to keep the buzz of catwalk shows online.
Each year Her Majesty The Queen and the British Fashion Council present the coveted Queen Elizabeth II Award For Design, which recognises the talent of an emerging individual across the categories of womenswear, menswear or accessories.
The accolade, which was first awarded in 2018 to Richard Quinn, is given to a designer who demonstrates value within wider society, whether that s through a partnership with a charity, encouraging strong sustainable policies or using their platform to speak of social injustices.
South London-born Priya Ahluwalia is the recipient of the 2021 award, which was presented to her virtually today by Her Royal Highness The Countess Of Wessex. Based on the above criteria it comes as no surprise: 28-year-old Ahluwalia graduated from Westminster University in 2018 and in a short time she has made her name as one of the most exciting designers working in the UK.