Female Fashion Force

Women and fashion go hand in hand, it’s impossible to envision one without the other. Yet, very surprisingly, male designers dominate the fashion industry, and while we’re not complaining, it’s sad to see an industry so predominantly dependent on female consumption to not be controlled by, well- females! The centuries long stigma of women not being capable of handling big businesses is still dragging itself through to the year 2017. Still, there is a glimmer of hope in the horizon. For the past few years, female fashion creative directors have been swooping in the fashion front and debunking sexist ideas, proving to us that women can be just as direct, smart, and ingenious as men when it comes to women’s fashion design. I mean lets face it, who knows how to dress a woman better than another woman? We celebrate fashion’s fabulous pioneers who shaping the high fashion world and in high heels too.

Michèle Huiban & Bouchra Jarrar

Lanvin

Lanvin is great example of a women dominated brand. Not only was the founder Jeanne Lanvin a self-made female, but so are
the current CEO and Creative Director of the French design house. This makes Lanvin one of
the few brands that have had this amount of female leadership ever throughout its history. Michèle Huiban, current CEO, has been successfully running company since 2013, after the sudden resignation of Thierry Andretta.

There was almost no hesitation to appoint her head of the firm, and rightfully so as they seem to have made the perfect choice. Just as boss as Huiban, Creative Director Bouchra Jarrar began amazing us in March 2016 with her skills of cuts and fabrics, mastering the art of making clothes for women- by women. It’s wonderful to see that through the midst of the long history of sexism, one brand found its way back into the power of women.

Maria Grazia Chiuri

Dior

Up until last year, the luxury Parisian house of Dior had never had a female creative director in its long history. So, when the first creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri Dior took over the reins and recently showed her first runway collection, she took the job with full feminine pride. Literally, she designed t-shirts that the Dior models strutted down the runway saying “We Should All Be Feminists”. Talk about a hero springing out of the shadows. The experienced designer began her career at Valentino and it’s safe to say that she has had a successful career since then. The bold and beautiful fashion fanatic is most definitely the perfect cure for the still dragging stigma of sexism.

Stella McCartney

And we thought Paul McCartney had talent! Since her brands rise in 2001, Paul McCartney’s daughter Stella McCartney has been nothing but a household name. Gaining real recognition in 1997 when she was appointed creative director for Chloé, the prodigy became a pioneer in the world of women owned fashion brands when she launched her namesake label, bringing the world into the light of fashionably chic style. Designing her first jacket at the young age of 13, the prodigy seems to have always had a passion for fashion, and we get to benefit from the result. With a successful women’s line and an ongoing collaboration with sportswear giant Adidas, Stella has recently also launched her first men’s collection. Who says women can’t design for men too?

Sarah Burton

Alexander McQueen

If we’re going to talk fashion royalty, we should probably bring up Sarah Burton, the queen of feminine fashion. Designing for the likes of Michele Obama and Lady Gaga, the woman has done it all. Straight after graduation, the young designer became McQueen’s personal assistant and continued to move up from there. After McQueen’s death in 2010, Burton became the immediate choice, successfully taking over the firm, becoming one of the most admired designers in the industry.

Her most notable design to date, however, was most definitely Princess Catherine “Kate” Middleton’s wedding dress. All media outlets almost burst with approval when the hyped-up wedding gown was finally released to the public. Not only did the gorgeous gown meet the expectations, it exceeded it. The fashion fatale is most definitely a top-notch force to be reckoned with.

Mary Katrantzou

Mary Katrantzou created her own namesake brand through a route of pure practice and hard work. She quickly shined through even when she was still a student due to her famous and innovative use of digital prints in her designs. Unsurprisingly, she went on to graduate in MA Fashion from the prestigious Central Saint Martins with distinction. The self-made designer is a text book example of how hard work, determination, and innovation can take you to your highest of heights. With her instantly recognizable designs, a Mary Katrantzou creation will surely make you stand out in the crowd. Master of patterns and textures, this fashion forward pioneer is a true soldier in the battle for equality.

Written by: Nour Ibrahim