Celebrating Women’s Equality Day: 8 Female-Led Brands to Know | Sterling Style Academy’s Style Picks

Celebrating Women’s Equality Day: 8 Female-Led Brands to Know

August 26 is celebrated every year as Women’s Equality Day in the United States. It was first observed in 1971 to commemorate the event of the 1920 adoption of the 19th Amendment to the US constitution which granted American women the constitutional right to vote.  

Today we celebrate 8 female-led brands to know and love by educating you about the brand and presenting Sterling Style Academy’s style picks from each brand. Our edit represents what we think is wearable fashion for today’s woman. Feel free to shop the looks by pressing on the image.

Molly Goddard

Molly Goddard is a London-based, British fashion designer born in the late 80s.  Molly Goddard is the winner of the 2018 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund and launched her own label in 2014. Her fairy tale-inspired frothy tulle gowns and silk smocks have a rebellious feel, similar to the ’50s sheaths and prom dresses that were repurposed in the punk era.  Her designs are worn by Rhianna.  However, we do think that her clothes would be perfect for Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex in the City Reboot, And Just Like That. Although Carrie Bradshaw is now in her 50s, one’s signature style never fades throughout the ages.  

Peony

Peony is a conscious Australian swimwear and clothing brand.  Peony describes its designs as “the first bloom of peony flowers, which signal the beginning of summer.” Peony is known for classic shapes and soft color palettes.  The brand selects sustainable fabrics that are durable to increase shape retention. Deriving strength from femininity, their Capri collection redefines casual elegance. Be transported to glistening seas and warm summer breezes with a fresh color palette inspired by French artist Pierre Boncompain. Effortless silhouettes are brought to life in uplifting prints.

Gabriela Hearst

Gabriela Hearst is a Uruguayan women’s luxury ready-to-wear and accessories designer.  In fall 2015, Hearst launched her eponymous label: Gabriela Hearst. The brand has been compared as an American competitor to Hermes for its high-quality and fine use of garments. The collections are characterized by quality craftsmanship, high-end and innovative materials. In January 2019, LVMH Luxury Ventures, the fund launched by French luxury giant LVMH to support “already iconic” emerging brands, invested in Gabriela Hearst, allowing the brand to expand their presence around the world. Since the fund creation in 2017, this investment is the first in a creative label. In January 2021 Hearst designed the dress worn by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden for the 2021 presidential inauguration: an ivory dress representing the new administration’s message of unity that was embroidered with each of the 50 state’s flowers and that of D.C. Source: Wikipedia. If you’re into a more minimalistic and feminine classic style, this brand is for you.

Zimmermann

Zimmermann is a sister designing duo that initially started selling their dresses at a Sydney flea market in 1991 and has grown into one of Australia’s biggest brands.  The label is synonymous with floaty occasion dresses and flattering swimwear.  Zimmermann’s love of color and print is embodied with every embroidered dress, ruffle top and floral swimsuit.  The dresses definitely look better when you see them on a body rather than standalone.

Tory Burch

Tory Burch is a luxury lifestyle brand defined by classic American sportswear. It embodies the personal style and spirit of its CEO and designer, Tory Burch. Tory Burch was launched in February 2004 as a lifestyle concept with multiple product categories, including ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes and jewelry. Tory designed her first boutique in New York to feel more like a room in her own home than a traditional retail store. Key design elements featured in all boutiques include orange lacquer doors, mirrored walls and Lucite fixtures.  Source: Tory Burch. A brand that we used to love 10 years ago. Now we feel it needs to revamp it’s brand.

Cinq A Sept

Sharing its name with the French term for the liminal moment linking late afternoon and early evening, Cinq à Sept brings the intriguing tension between day and night to a new advanced contemporary collection. Inspired by the hours between 5 and 7 p.m., when city streets are awash in the warm glow of the vanishing sun and office desks are abandoned for cocktails and as-yet unknown possibilities, Cinq à Sept embodies a deliberate balance between sophistication and ease, youthful daring and confident allure. The collection’s modern feminine aesthetic embraces unexpected details and striking silhouettes, resulting in clothing that draw their romance and sexiness from the woman wearing them.  Source: Cinq à Sept.

We love this brand! It’s fresh, fun, stylish, and versatile. It was so easy to find style picks that can be dressed up or down for today’s everyday woman.

Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective – Ethically Made Activewear.  From a community of people who care about where their clothes come from and how they look, Girlfriend Collective appeal focuses both on quality and community.  Not only do they make their clothing from recycled pieces, Girlfriend Collective will take back your old Girlfriend pieces and turn them into new Girlfriend pieces! Ellie Dinh is co-founder of Girlfriend Collective – an athleisure wear company with a focus on sustainability. Source: Girlfriend Collective. It’s just active wear so there isn’t much to choose from. Pair it with a Cinq à Sept blazer and some Dior sneakers to wear out.

Nanushka

Nanushka – The Modern Bohemian. Nanushka is a Budapest-based womenswear, menswear and accessories brand founded in 2006 by Sandra Sandor. Focusing on craftsmanship, detail and fabric, Nanushka builds an elegant, modern wardrobe creatively through Sandor’s dedication to responsible production.  Collections explore their deep appreciation and respect for nature, community and the world around them. Their materials are chosen for their low-impact credentials, while craft and hand technique are informed by a unique mix of traditional and contemporary culture. Celebrating the beauty in imperfection, Nanushka brings pure design and conscious creativity together in a Bohemian Modernist outlook informed by travel, innovation and heritage.  Source: Nanushka. A brand that is casually chic and modern. If you’re looking for stylish affordable bags, we’d pick Nanushka.

Everyone has their own path and their own story. You too can turn your story into a brand and be recognized as a subject matter expert if you know how to market and position your personal brand to showcase your assets. That’s what we teach you when you enroll into our ONLINE IMAGE CONSULTANT + PERSONAL STYLIST TRAINING COURSE. We show you the way and it’s up to you to turn your story into a brand. Click here to learn how to launch a next level brand.