International Women's Day
Women make up 74% of fashion courses, but 12% of creative directors
It’s a boys club… it always has been but hopefully will not always be so. Seeing women through a male lense is not something new, but goes back to the time of the ancient Greeks, not through fashion but through sculpture. Take some of the most famous ancient Greek sculptures, Venus de Milo found in the Louvre or the Caryatids found on the Acropolis, all sculpted by men.
Their aim, to create what they believed to be the most beautiful female form… pale white smooth skin, the perfect symmetrical face and a body that stood powerful yet exposed. In a way the portrayal of women in 5th century BC art doesn’t stand too different to fashion in the 21st century.
But for International Women's day we are going to talk about three fashion designers that have changed the conversation when it comes to dressing women in what women want to wear.
Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne Westwood was a revolutionary force in fashion, challenging traditional norms and empowering women by redefining beauty, style, and rebellion.
As a key figure in the punk movement, she used fashion as a platform to speak out against societal constraints, particularly in relation to women's roles. Her designs, often characterized by bold, unconventional cuts, punk aesthetics, and historical references, allowed women to express their individuality and defy expectations. Westwood’s work celebrated the idea of women taking control of their own narratives, both in terms of appearance and identity.
Her fearless approach to blending politics with fashion also inspired a sense of strength and independence, encouraging women to challenge both external pressures and their own self-imposed limitations. Through her legacy, Westwood not only transformed fashion but also became a symbol of empowerment for women in the creative industry.
Phoebe Philo
While the name Phoebe Philo may not be widely recognised, she is considered a leading figure in fashion, celebrated for her designs that cater to women at every stage of life. As the creative director of Céline in the early '90s, she revolutionized the industry with a minimalist approach that focused on functionality, offering a stark contrast to the lavish styles of the '80s. Through elegant blouses, tailored coats, and flattering trousers, she crafted a more practical and refined image of the modern working woman.
Miuccia Prada
Miuccia Prada is arguably one of the most intellectually complex and thoughtful designers of today. With her concept of femininity unbound by traditional stereotypes, she redefines what it means to be a woman, challenging conventional ideas of womanly silhouettes and girly motifs. Prada masterfully blends high fashion with sharp cultural commentary—sometimes subtle, at other times overt. A prime example of this is her Fall 2016 collection, where she layered corsets (traditionally symbols of female restriction) over tweed jackets. Rather than using the corset to evoke sexuality, as one might expect, she used it to question the very notion of what it means to be sexy.
In her Spring/Summer 2022 collection, Prada presented pieces that appeared softly rumpled and deeply creased—seemingly an accidental design flaw at first. However, it soon became clear that this was a deliberate commentary on the realities of being a busy, working woman. Throughout her work, Prada encourages women to question societal norms while offering a sophisticated, diverse wardrobe that goes beyond fleeting trends.
Written by Iliya Constantinou, Head Buyer at Kidswear Collective.
