The seven female led businesses you NEED to know about!
August marks the worldwide celebration of Women’s Equality Day. A day in which women and men all over the world are reminded to stand up and continue fighting for equality of the sexes whilst also celebrating and recognising how far we’ve come since the 19th amendment was passed in America 122 years ago to the month.
Whilst we have come a long way in feminism and equality since then, this day still acts as an important reminder that what we have as women we have fought for and the fight for equality is still far from over.
However, let us not focus on the bad but use this opportunity to celebrate how amazing we are as women and all that we have accomplished!
To do so I have complied a list of 7 female owned businesses from underwear to earrings so we can all revel in and support these women’s achievements together.
So, on top of running the world, here’s a list of businesses also run by women!
Tala
Founder: Grace Beverly
Known for their activewear, Tala is a sustainable gym wear brand that uses recycled and ethically sourced materials to create products that are high quality and fashionable without compromising on performance.
Launched by fitness entrepreneur and oxford graduate Grace Beverly, who at only 25 has already been named first in Forbes 30 under 30’s retail and e-commerce list.
Grace built the businesses to fill the gaps in her own wardrobe and deliver what she believed the industry was missing… good quality activewear that is stylish, flattering and high performing. All at a reasonable cost and produced in a sustainable way.
And after only three years since launching, Tala has received a Sustainable Business accreditation from Harvard Business School and Grace has been recognised as Natwest’s GBEA Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Soru
Founders: Sisters Francesca Kelly and Marianna Doyle
Launched in 2013, Soru is a luxury jewellery brand that even the Dutchess of Cambridge can’t get enough of.
Half Sicilian, half English sisters Francesca and Marianna started the brand as a way to express their passion and love for jewellery, they tell us:
“We both had a passion and love for jewellery and wanted to start a business so we could work for ourselves on our own terms. This was especially important to us, as we both had young children and wanted to be present for them when we could.”
However, what’s so unique about this brand is the way they always put their family and their heritage at the forefront of everything they do. Francesca and Marianna go on to say:
“Our brand is all about sisterhood (with the name literally translating to sister in Sicilian), we design for women, employ women and support women.
“Support is so important in the business world, especially for other women, help each other, build each other up, be there for each other.
“It’s so rewarding doing this job because we meet the most amazing and inspirational women, women who have enriched our lives and become friends.
“We want women to see that if you are really passionate about something, and truly love it, you can achieve whatever you want. Whether you’re starting out later in life, have little money to start with, no qualifications or are juggling kids- you can still achieve your dreams, anything is possible!”
Underdays
Founders: Oria Mackenzie and Amelie Salas
One of the newest brands on this list, Underdays was born at the end of 2021 out of the founders’ frustrations over the lack of underwear choices women had.
On a mission to deliver underwear that is comfortable, sustainable and still sexy in all sizes, styles and materials, it’s safe to say Oria and Amelie are succeeding as even Vouge agrees, they have ‘the best briefs.’
Aimee Ann Lou
Founder: Aimee Ann Lou
When it comes to shoes there are two types of people, those who could live their lives in heels and those who only own one pair that are only ever worn occasionally when it’s an absolute necessity.
If you relate to the latter then I hear you and so does Aimee Ann Lou, who has built her shoe empire by rejecting the notion that a woman has to been in heels to feel empowered by her shoes.
Her brand is all about proving that you can still be sophisticated, glamorous and elegant whilst remaining comfortable and not compromising on luxury.
Hand made in Italy using artisanal shoemaking techniques, Aimee Ann Lou creates shoes that are bold and leave the wearer feeling confident and authentic in their fashion.
Birdsong
Founders: Sophie Slater and Susanna Wen
Birdsong is an independent East London fashion brand that focuses on using the best possible ethical and environmental methods to make each garment.
I caught up with Susanna Wren, creative director and co-founder, she shares her journey and passion for the brand with us:
“I came on board as Creative Director in 2017 and have been designing all collections since.
“Our mission is to make the best quality clothing, in luxurious eco fabrics, and use our brand to inspire and implement change in the fashion industry.”
Birdsong, which was originally created out of Sophie’s experiences as a retail assistant for a notoriously sexist company, alongside her involvement in feminist activism in her late teens and early twenties, has undoubtedly gone on to become a brand with incredibly strong feminist values.
“Having studied worker’s movements and the importance of non-sweatshop labour, Sophie became a staunch supporter of ethics in fashion” Susanna tells us.
And it’s clear to see just how much the brand really do care about being ethical not only to the planet but to their workers, Susanna explains:
“Production for a lot of fashion brands is so far away it is often easy to consider who makes your clothes as ‘other’. That’s why we make locally and in a different way to fast fashion brands, making a point of knowing every single person we work with, so everyone feels respected and like they belong.
“As a second generation, biracial British-Chinese woman, I have always wanted to challenge colonial and sexist attitudes to fashion production. I hope to do so with Birdsong’s mission to create fashion goods locally and paying London living wages to everyone who makes our clothes.”
Flo Tampons
Founders: Tara and Susan
Let’s talk about periods. No for real let’s, starting with Flo, an organic tampon brand.
Founded by best friends, Tara and Susan, Flo provides organic sanitary products.
Not only do they have 100% organic and biodegradable tampons, but the applicators are also plant-based and 100% recyclable!
Tara and Susan have really created a product that is sustainable down to the last detail.
Lift studio London
Founders: Danni and Mimi
This is a gym with a difference as Lift Studio London is a woman’s only lifting studio!
Danni and Mimi were passionate about creating a safe space for women to learn to lift weights, a space without the external pressure of diet culture, and thus Lift Studio London was born.
They have created a community for women to build both strength and confidence in a judgment free zone.
Their studio is a place women use to train for enjoyment rather than weight loss with the overall gym motto being: it’s not what you lose but what you gain on your fitness journey.
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