To mark International Woman’s Day this week and in celebration of the accomplishments of women all over the world, here’s a special list of power designer mums who embody strength, talent and style. Despite catering primarily to a female audience, the fashion industry is still predominantly led by male designers but these 10 trailblazers are leading the way in showing that women can do just about anything they put their mind to.
Victoria Beckham
Credit: @victoriabeckham / Instagram
Possibly the most famous mumpreneur in the fashion industry, Victoria Beckham has since long ago shed her girl group member image and is now more known for being a style statement. It would seem like Victoria has it all, with a dreamy husband, four gorgeous kids, and her very own fashion line.
And she’s not just stopping there. In 2016, she branched into beauty with a successful collaboration with Estee Lauder, announced that she’s working on a collection with Target, graced the cover of the October 2016 issue of Vogue, renewed her wedding vows with hubby David and made the world talk with a photograph of her kissing daughter Harper. We can’t wait to see what else she’ll be doing in 2017.
Phoebe Philo
Born in Paris and educated in London, Phoebe started her career off as an assistant in Chloé, before taking the reigns as Creative Director. She was then appointed Creative Director and Board Member of CÉLINE in 2008. Since then, the Londoner and mum of three has been awarded OBE by Her Majesty The Queen, named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2014, and holds two titles of British Designer of the Year as well as International Designer of the Year. There have been rumours of her leaving CÉLINE, but we hope they remain rumours!
The highly private mum doesn’t even have an Instagram account of her own, which just goes to show how influential she is – to be considered one of the most influential people without having using social media. In her own words, “The chicest thing is when you don’t exist on Google.” Likewise, you’ll be hard-pressed to find pictures of her kids, though her daughter did make an appearance at CÉLINE’s Spring 2017 show, and as expected of an offspring of Phoebe Philo, she looked effortlessly stylish in her high socks and Mary Janes.
Tory Burch
Credit: @toryburch / Instagram
Ranked 17th on Forbes’ 2015 list of America’s richest self-made women and 73rd on Forbes’ 2016 list of power women, you would’ve never known Tory started her career as a fashion copywriter working for Vera Wang, Ralph Lauren, and Harper’s Bazaar. Even more amazing is that her success now started from a simple pair of flats. The goal-getter is a mama of three grown boys and she’s engaged to LVMH Fashion Group’s Chairman and CEO Pierre-Yves Roussel.
To empower other aspiring female entrepreneurs who are starting out, she started the Tory Burch foundation in 2009. She’s also standing alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anna Wintour and Reese Witherspoon as part of “Embrace Ambition” for 2107’s International Women’s Day.
Rachel Zoe
Credit: @rachelzoe / Instagram
Her incredible sense of style saw her dressing the stars and accumulating an A-list clientele as a stylist. She’s now dressing them in her own clothing line, which was featured in Vogue. The Creative Director of Hudson BLVD Group also unveiled her first brick-and-mortar store — a pop-up at The Grove in LA – just last year.
The hands-on mum frequently shares photos of her two sons and she collaborated with Quinny and Maxi-Cosi for a collection of highly functional, highly fashionable baby gear. She also celebrates motherhood in her office – she built a nursery for all employees in her office, a decision she calls the “Best Business Decision Ever”. She’s a true trailblazer in more ways than one.
Charlotte Dellal
Credit: @charlotte_olympia / Instagram
A graduate of the London College of Fashion’s Cordwainer’s footwear design course, her brand, Charlotte Olympia, is best known for its design aesthetic that is equal parts cute and old Hollywood glam. She’s also collaborated with Victoria Beckham on her Victoria line, created shoes for Agent Provocateur, and has a limited edition Charlotte’s Web inspired collection.
The Women for Women International ambassador’s designs have been worn by Emma Roberts and Meryl Streep, and after we witnessed her show at London Fashion Week for Autumn/Winter 2016, we have to say that we’ll love to be in the audience for all her shows.
Despite managing a constantly expanding empire, the mum of three is always glamorous-looking, even when she’s dressed as a viking, leading us to wonder – how does she do it?
Stella McCartney
Credit: @stellamccartney / Instagram
Daughter of the world famous Beatles member, Paul McCartney, Stella has stepped out of her dad’s shadow and made a name for herself in the fashion world. A mother of four, the staunch supporter of PETA does not use leather or fur in any of her designs and prides her brand in being “the world’s first and only vegetarian luxury brand”.
Her fabrics are all stringently studied to ensure that they meet strict sustainability standards, and all materials are sourced from a sustainably certified forest in Sweden. She had many naysayers when she started out, but look where she is now. in 2016, she launched her debut menswear line and a new fragrance. She’s a mama who isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in and a wonderful role model to young girls and women. You go, girl!
Jade Jagger
Credit: @jadejezebeljagger / Instagram
Given that her father was rock legend Mick Jagger and that she had Andy Warhol as her babysitter, it’s no surprise that Jade Jagger went into the creative business. The modern mummy launched her boho-luxe jewellery collection, became an interior design star, all while juggling her growing brood of kids. Here’s a fun fact, she became a new mum and grandma within a span of a month – she gave birth to youngest son Ray just four weeks after her eldest daughter, Assisi, gave birth to her first child. Her accessory business is growing well and all seems to be going on well on the family front. Looks like life isn’t too bad for Jade!
Sarah Burton
A close friend and successor of the late Alexander ‘Lee’ McQueen, Sarah is most well known for being the designer behind Kate Middleton’s wedding gown. It was not easy to have the world looking on at how she fare at the helm of the McQueen brand, but she didn’t back down and over the years, has injected her own brand of femininity, while staying true to Lee’s legacy. Under her leadership, McQueen was awarded British Brand of the year at 2016’s The Fashion Awards.
The wildly private Burton is often seen in comfy pants and blouses, is rarely photographed with her kids, and does not even have her own Instagram account but we love her for that!
Georgina Chapman
Credit: @georginachapmanmarchesa / Instagram
The co-founder and designer of Marchesa is a hands-on mummy to India and Dashiell. Her little ones have been seen with her behind the scenes, with quite a few photos of Dash sitting on her lap while she gets ready for appearances. Yet she still manages to run a successful brand, while still always looking chic and poised.
The sophisticated aura that she emits rubs off onto her designs, and her dresses are in hot demand from the usual red carpet suspects. Sofia Vergara, Chrissy Teigen and Katie Holmes have all been photographed dressed to the nines in Marchesa at various awards, as has former First Lady Michelle Obama on multiple official occasions.
Nicole Richie
Credit: @nicolerichie / @joelmadden / Instagram
The adopted daughter of R&B crooner Lionel Richie who has come a long way since her Simple Life days. The now boho-chic-glam Nicole Richie is proud mama to Sparrow and Harlow Madden, and proud wife of Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden.
She has grown through the years and has emerged strong with a wonderful family, her House of Harlow line and is now branching into acting, starring in sitcom Great News alongside John Michael Higgins, executively produced by Tina Fey.
