Celebrating Women’s History Month
Myesha Evon Gardner is a photographer who explores the multiplicities of the female experience in her intimate works. On the legacy she is creating, she says, “I think that I inspire other women by just showing up and being myself while creating and holding space for them as well.” Her recent project was part of the latest installment of Creator Labs, a visual experience in partnership with Google Pixel and SN37 that aims to uplift emerging artists and showcase their moving works. Myesha’s photos showcased in Creator Labs: Season 7 show off common female archetypes and challenge the stereotypes many women are expected to uphold. “I love to portray women in a uniquely positive light while remaining unapologetic about who they are. My mother, my grandmother, my spiritual mother, my teachers, and my tribe, which includes my five sisters, all empower me in individual ways,” Gardner says.
Desyree Nicole and Gabriella Paulino of Todd Patrick and Elyse Candles
What better way to close out our list than with a two-for-one feature? Nicole and Paulino are not only partners in business, both overseeing luxury menswear brand Todd Patrick, but they are partners in life who bring out the best in each other. Nicole founded Todd Patrick in 2016 with the goal of blending high-end luxury techniques with a more approachable sense of street style. She had no formal background in fashion, but her authentic grit, passion for expressing herself freely, and support from Paulino allowed their relationship and passion project to thrive. When asked how the two set forth a beacon for other women in the industry, Nicole answers, “By living in that truth. A women-owned brand that makes menswear at that. I think we lead by example letting people know that we too, can create for the opposite gender at a high level. Women are BOSSES, women are where the cultivation begins, and the more women realize that — they can do it too! It will be a beautiful shift that occurs within our societal structure.”
Francesca Monaco of THEMOIRè
THEMOIRè’s co-founder, Francesca, believes in a world where beauty and ethics coexist harmoniously. The Milan-based accessory brand is informed by innovation (employing eco-fabrics such as apple-waste leather or recycled cotton) and conservation. “One of our messages is that every small step can make a difference, and this is what we want to share,” Monaco expresses. All bag linings are made of repurposed plastic bottles and fishing nets, inspiring their wearers to live consciously — each carefully crafted, statement bag being a reminder of our responsibility. “I’d like to think that there is nothing more important than being happy with yourself, doing what you love, and always pursuing what you believe in,” Monaco continues, “There are a lot of women who are great examples of this to me: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is an example of what bold, substantial leadership looks like for women’s rights. Then my mother, who taught me how equality must be pursued at any cost from day one, and, last but not least, Sara Maino, a pillar of the fashion industry who has always used her voice to support the new generations and emerging brands.”
Gabrielle La Mura of W 78 ST
W 78 ST is a hand-crafted accessory company based out of Los Angeles, which has gained the attention of Emma Chamberlain, Richie Shazam, and more. The brand’s founder, Gabrielle, concocts each piece from upcycled leather and sustainable resources. “Encouraging women, whether it’s reposting their business on Instagram, being there for them as a friend, sharing knowledge, sharing opportunities, and believing in them is so incredibly important. Those little things may seem like they are small, but they keep someone excited to continue to push themselves to take on their passion,” she shares. The label recently released the Corbielle, inspired by Jane Birkin’s infamous wicker basket. What started as a test clay sculpture by La Mura facilitated a convertible bag allowing different colors and leathers to be mixed and matched, emphasizing circular wear and encouraging longevity in the wearer’s closets. “Quality and sustainability are something I constantly consider and keep at the forefront,” La Mura elaborates.
Hirra Babar of WARP
Diverging from traditional design standards, founder Babar paves her own path in the leather goods industry with WARP. “While things have evolved a lot in the past, we still see gender disparity when it comes to women working in the leather industry in Pakistan, especially when it comes to running their own businesses,” she shares. Placing a spotlight on Lahore, a culturally-enriched city in Pakistan, the brand proves that high-quality pieces have no spatial boundaries. Many Pakistani women are expert artisans and WARP amplifies their talent and voices by collaborating with local women to create one-of-a-kind accessories. Each bag shows off avant-garde geometric leather stitching patterns, and many feature upcycled materials, from plastic to wooden fibers. “By keeping a women-dominant workplace I believe we have encouraged women to understand that if you don’t get a seat at the table, you can build your own table. I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by loving and strong women from the start, including our brand’s sales representative agency owner Amal Sultan, our stylist Mehek Saeed, and the rest of our amazing team,” says Babar.
Lucia Caponi of Loretta Caponi
Loretta Caponi was an Italian embroidery master, born in 1924. Originally picking up the craft to help support her family, she paved the way for decades of artisans to come. By the ripe age of fourteen, she commissioned her first work and began taking orders for frocks, nightgowns, and silk slips, disseminating her talent. Now, over fifty years later, her delicate linen clothing, illuminated by vivid patterns, has traveled from Paris to the azure coasts of tropical destinations. Caponi’s family and daughter, Lucia, continue her heritage still today. “I hope the pursuit of beauty can always inspire new generations. Quoting Dostoevsky, ‘Beauty will save the world,’” Lucia Caponi says. On the journey her mother pioneered for her, she shares, “[My mother was] a woman far ahead of her time. A gentle soul with an extremely strong character. A humble but incredibly determined woman with an insatiable thirst for discovery and the curiosity of a child.”
Nina Khosla of FFORME
FFORME is for those who admire the elegant simplicities in life. On FFORME’s ethos, Khosla says, “To divorce ourselves from flash and celebrity culture, we need to remind women that there is something to be said for the return to something so pure — a reminder that substance and quality, in and of themselves, are worth celebrating.” The ready-to-wear label boasts collections of structured outerwear, simple tailored sets, and luxurious knits made to endure the tests of time. As far as women who uplifted Khosla, she points to, “My mother, who I have a deep appreciation for. Being a child of immigrants, it’s hard to forget how she left her own mother and her own life to create a new one for me that allowed me to do this.”
Olivia von Halle of Olivia von Halle
After studying Fashion and Textiles, Olivia von Halle began trailblazing in her career as a trend forecaster and luxury brand consultant, working with brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and more. “I’ve always been a strong believer in following your gut instinct and I think that’s what brought me where I am today,” she shares. When von Halle wasn’t working, she was attending opulent events and galas — each time returning home wishing for the ideal pajamas to slink into. She began concocting the perfect pair of silk pajamas, inspired by Coco Chanel’s elegance, and it wasn’t long before her eponymous brand was born. On women who inspire her, she shares, “Coco is the woman who first wore pajama-style trousers outside of the bedroom in the 1920s. I think there’s something about her and that overall roaring twenties vibe that I adore. Another woman that I always look up to is Amanda Feilding — she’s known as the ‘hidden hand’ behind the renaissance of psychedelic science and has been a brave and outspoken advocate in this field. She is my muse every day.”
Paule Tenaillon and Marine Braquet of Nomasei
Inspired by strong, empowered women, co-founders Paule Tenaillon and Marine Braquet started Nomasei as a love letter to the heritage and the landscape of Italy. The two met after working for major houses Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy (to name a few) — but they were both dissatisfied with the standards of the mainstream fashion industry. Nomasei incorporates slow production and ethical materials, refuting the fast-paced tendencies of the industry as we know it today. The brand’s recent loafer collab with Julia von Boehm emphasizes upcycled leather scraps and lead-free Bohemia crystals. When they think back to the women who informed their paths, they cited, “Our mothers, sisters, friends, and each other — we definitely paved the way for, and to each other! All the badass women in our lives, definitely inspire us, as well as Simone de Beauvoir, Colette, Gisele Halim, and Angela Davis.”
Poppy Lissiman of Poppy Lissiman
Poppy Lissiman is a West Australian-based designer who creates head-turning cruelty-free accessories. Her designs have been embraced by the likes of Justin Bieber, Bella Hadid, Billie Eilish, and more, but what really makes her brand shine is her reliance on creating 100 percent animal-free pieces. “As women, we are in a new age and there’s never been a better time to go after whatever path it is you want to forge. I have an incredible group of friends and colleagues who have been in my life for well over two decades — as well as my Mum!” Lissiman expresses.
Seulye Jo of CLED
CLED is derived directly from the word upcycled, as repurposing materials and breathing new life into discarded resources is at the heart of the jewelry brand’s mission. Seulye Jo founded the Los Angeles-based brand in 2018 with a desire to spread education about metal and glass waste and to show consumers that one man’s trash could be reimagined into something beautiful. “My constant reminder for myself is that there is no limit. Don't be afraid to try something new. Your experience or path will be different from others, but your unique idea can bring positive change in your life,” Jo reflects. Each of CLED’s unique pieces incorporate “eco-gems” crafted from discarded glass bottles, as she highly values the creative outlook of transforming waste to treasure. “My grandmother has been my inspiration from the beginning. Other women I've been influenced by are Stella McCartney and Eileen Fisher. I aspire to become like these women who had the vision to make sustainable fashion be in the mainstream,” she adds.
Sofía Sanchez de Betak of CHUFY
Sofía Sanchez de Betak, also known as “Chufy,” lives a colorful life, inspiring others to shed their inhibitions and parade their kaleidoscopic personalities with conviction. “So many women have inspired me. The idea that I could pass that on and inspire someone else is a tremendous honor for me,” she reflects. Splitting her time in New York, Paris, and Mallorca, Chufy soaks up her surroundings, channeling the vibrant energy into her passions. She has published a book titled, “Travels with Chufy,” and created her own ready-to-wear fashion brand which pieces together mementos from her life through hand-painted designs and circular materials. On who brought color into her life, she states, “My mother is my biggest supporter. Her belief is like an anchor. My first boss in NYC gave me a lot of confidence in myself. And, myself. I back myself. I've had a lot of inspiration and help, but ultimately, I got myself here. Without loving myself, that wouldn't have been possible.”
