Happy International Women’s Day! Today is dedicated to celebrating the contributions of women and girls all over the world, recognizing women who inspire us all, and renewing discussions about the importance of gender equality. In terms of fashion, there have been countless women over the years who have helped shape the fashion industry, whether they were icons, designers, or activists. Today we honor those fashionistas!
Coco Chanel
Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel, the namesake of the famous brand, was a French fashion designer and businesswoman. Her trademark fashion item is the classic and timeless little black dress (think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s). Coco was actually the person who invented trousers for women in the 1920’s, as she was intrigued by incorporating elements of men’s fashion into her designs, and making women’s fashion more comfortable (thank you, Coco).
Josephine Baker
Josephine was a world-renowned performer who pushed the envelope with both her provocative stage costumes and her bold human rights activism. She literally fought for civil rights in style, refusing to perform for segregated audiences in the 50s. Josephine had a “more is more” attitude when it came to her flashy, decadent jewelry and accessories; she even had a pet Cheetah that wore a diamond-encrusted collar! Today, celebrities like Rhianna, Beyonce, and Zendaya have paid tribute to Josephine with their own interpretations of her iconic looks.
Twiggy
Twiggy defined the 60s “mod” era with her signature long eyelashes, exaggerated eye makeup, and pixie haircut. She was a true trendsetter and wasn’t afraid to be her own unique self. Her most memorable looks (which thankfully, most of which are currently making a comeback) were simple shift dresses with buttons or exaggerated collars, and men’s striped ties with waistcoats paired with mini skirts or flared trousers.
Cher
Cher was known for her maximalism and avant-garde style; whether it was a boho-inspired crop top and flares in the 60s, or a barely-there dress coated in sequins or feathers in the 70s, Cher has proven to be one of the most influential fashion visioniaries of all time. Outfits of great extravagance never intimated Cher, and she was all about having fun with fashion. Her costume designer, Bob Mackie, who often styled her for red carpet events, would try to get her to dress more mainstream and she refused as she "didn't want to look like a housewife in an evening gown".
Madonna
Madonna was a tough, ambitious powerhouse who defined the 80s with her thrift-shop, club-kid, grunge looks. She struck a pose at many awards shows with her signature mix of edgy and elegant looks consisting of some sort of corset or lingerie paired with multiple strands of beads, crucifixes, and pearls. The queen of pop seemed to reinvent her look with each passing album; her fashion has been an integral part of her creative vision since the onset of her career.
Princess Diana
The princess of fashion, and the epitome of being your unapologetic self, Princess Diana was easily one of the most influential fashionistas of the 90s (and in my opinion, of all time). Lady Di often used her style to express herself and rebel against the conservative royal etiquette and rules. She made effortless look chic with her oversized "boyfriend sweaters" layered over overalls or bold printed dresses, and often showed up to events in brightly coloured suits and beyond glamorous gowns (including THAT black velvet bodycon dress).
The fashion icons of the 21st century don’t fit the stereotypical and traditional mold that came before them. Rather than being known for their style or appearance, they are known for their values and are using their platforms to advocate for a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry. These phenomenal women have helped shake up the very flawed fashion industry and expose deep-rooted issues like inequality, human rights, climate change, and the exploitation of finite resources. While there are several (and more and more by the day), here are a few to know:
Ayesha Barenblat
Ayesha has worked with brands, manufacturers, and governments to improve human rights within the fashion industry. She created the #PayUp campaign and global movement in order to hold brands accountable for not paying garment workers when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing factories to shut down. You can read more about the #PayUp campaign in our previous blog post here.
Orsola De Castro
Orsola is the Founder and Director of Fashion Revolution and an internationally recognized leader in sustainable fashion. She recently published “Loved Clothes Last”, a book about the joy of repairing, rewearing, and caring for your clothes (*adds to cart*). Last year, Orsola graced the University of Edinburgh Fashion Society & Feminist Society with her presence for a discussion about the impacts of fast fashion on garment workers. It was awesome.
Aurora James
Aurora created the 15 Percent Pledge in order to emphasize the lack of representation for Black-owned businesses in stores nationwide. The simple concept is that, since Black people represent 15% of the population, stores should make sure they’re including at minimum 15% of Black-owned businesses on their shelves. Aurora also founded the sustainable shoe brand Brother Vellies with the goal of preserving the shoemaking craft in Africa and creating new jobs for the artisans in their workshop.
Eshita Kabra
Eshita is the creator of By Rotation, the UK’s largest rental platform and app which lets you rent and lend your wardrobe. Eshita works hard to combat the throwaway culture of #OOTD-fuelled 'wear once and done'. Stemming from her disappointment with the lack of regulation and transparency in the fashion industry, Eshita's mission is to create a community of style- and eco-conscious consumers, who value quality fashion without the human cost.
Anna Copeland
University of Edinburgh Fashion Society
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