6 designers talk about their work, their lives and what it means to be a woman, in honor of International Women’s Day.
One thing you want for woman everywhere?
I think that we should start empowering each other more instead of competing with one another.
The best thing about being a working woman?
Turning your true passion into your profession is the most empowering thing to me. They say do what you love and you’ll never work another day in your life and at the end of the day, I think that it’s important as a woman that you create your own world that nobody can take away from you.
Any advice to young women who want to start their own business?
Follow your gut feeling and do what makes you happy. Don’t listen to people that don’t believe in you but let it fuel you to be successful and prove them wrong.
The toughest moment when creating your brand?
It took me a long time to find the right manufacturer in Germany. I remember working with a workshop at the very beginning where I didn’t have the feeling that I was respected as a young woman in the fine jewelry business. It is a very male-driven industry and I do believe sometimes that you do not gain as much respect as a young woman. I remember working with one workshop, in particular, that took advantage of me a little bit.
What does female empowerment mean to you?
Women supporting other women, and men should be doing the same, we are all human after all.
By feeding your passion you create something that nobody can take away from you and that is very fulfilling to me.
One thing you want for woman everywhere?
The right to education in every country. We are very lucky where we are.
The toughest moment when creating your brand?
Convincing my manufacture that I was serious when I showed them the prototypes of my naked body pieces (Body Language collection). They said sculpted boobs and naked bums would never sell, I proved them wrong!
The best thing about being a working woman?
Women happen to be very helpful in the fashion industry, I find the solidarity and that sisterhood very comforting!
Any advice to young women who want to start their own business?
Think twice before you embark in this madness. The fashion industry has become very fast and deadlines, copies, competition can be very tough. Know how to surround yourself and learn to delegate, especially when you have a creative mind.
What does female empowerment mean to you?
It is often used as if women were not powerful by definition. We give birth, which is the most powerful thing in life. Empowerment is nowadays too related to success and career. I think we shouldn’t forget about the women who also just want to be happy mums and look at them with as much admiration as the ones who become politicians or firefighters!
Ultimately female empowerment is about respecting every woman’s decision.
One thing you want for woman everywhere?
Freedom, education, trust, and equality.
The toughest moment when creating your brand?
Having to go back to work when my baby was three days old because I was just creating the brand.
The best thing about being a working woman?
I have always been a woman, and I have always worked. That is what I love doing and I don’t have any experience of anything else.
Any advice to young women who want to start their own business?
I think the key is working first and gaining experience in the field in which you want to start your business so that you can understand the ins and outs of the business as fully as possible.
What does female empowerment mean to you?
Personally, I have never put myself in an inferior position in my work, it’s not in my character. I feel like that is empowerment.
I like the idea that my pieces adapt themselves to the women who wear them – they have a different feeling when worn by different women.
One thing you want for woman everywhere?
That they can be independent thinkers, with the ability to express their needs in a positive and assertive way.
The toughest moment when creating your brand?
The challenge is never to sacrifice quality even if it means a delay in production. Each piece that we create is handcrafted with love in Italy by true artisans. Some of whom represent generations of jewelry sculptors.
The best thing about being a working woman?
I love what I do. I am passionate about my designs and get an enormous amount of satisfaction knowing that I am creating stylish comfort for women created by women.
Any advice to young women who want to start their own business?
“First, they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” – Mahatma Gandhi
What does female empowerment mean to you?
A woman is powerful when she is aware of her strengths and weaknesses and she is able to go on despite her fear. A woman is powerful when she is determined to keep going despite the many setbacks of life.
A powerful woman leads by example.
One thing you want for woman everywhere?
The fact of being a woman should never put you in dangerous situations. There would be more to add, but this is the most important one to me.
The toughest moment when creating your brand?
Creating a brand means you are going out there to tell something. You tell something about yourself, and you never know if people will like what you have to say.
The best thing about being a working woman?
I am very passionate about my work. It is defining a big part of my life, I find a lot of joy in it, I get in touch with a lot of great people through it. I could not imagine not doing what I do.
Any advice to young women who want to start their own business?
Believe in yourself. You do not need to be perfect to do your own thing. You need passion and belief; the rest will follow.
What does female empowerment mean to you?
Female empowerment is not reserved for women. Female empowerment means acknowledging, sometimes even celebrating and seeing the power in qualities that are commonly often described as female. Such as emotionality, sensuality, sensibility, compassion, empathy. To me it means you can be a strong leader while embracing those qualities, being a leader with less hierarchy, you do not need to be hard or infallible to be strong.
The women wearing my pieces, I think of them as sensible, strong, sensual women.
One thing you want for woman everywhere?
The chance to speak up, give your opinion without fear.
What are you most proud of doing?
Having the chance to involve other female professionals in my project. If you are inspired by the people around you, you are halfway there.
The best thing about being a working woman?
Independence.
Any advice to young women who want to start their own business?
Be persistent and be ready to hear a lot of no’s – I promise you will enjoy every small victory. Start your business with a niche market and a very specific customer in mind. You don’t need a big investment at first, start small and work your way up – slow but steady.
What does female empowerment mean to you?
Supporting other females, we all go through the same difficulties and being there for one other is what’s going to make the difference.
Believe in yourself and think out of the box.
This interview has been edited and condensed. Special thanks to all the designers who participated to make this piece.
