\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tJune Ambrose<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLexie Moreland\/WWD<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tCelebrity stylist, costume designer and creative director June Ambrose\u2019s career has spanned more than 30 years. <\/p>\n \n\tAs a stylist, June Ambrose is responsible for some of the most iconic music video fashion of the last few decades, working with Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and Missy Elliott \u2014 most notably the rapper\u2019s beloved trash bag costumes from her \u201cThe Rain (Supa Fly)\u201d music video. Her styling and design expertise caught the eye of many major brands, like Levi\u2019s, Target, La Mer and others, who have worked with her on partnerships and collaborations. <\/p>\n \n\tIn 2020, Ambrose was tapped by Puma to be the brand\u2019s creative director for its women\u2019s basketball category, creating a collection called \u201cHigh Court\u201d that saw retail success. She followed up the collection in 2023 with her first co-branded Puma collection, called \u201cKeeping Score,\u201d which celebrated the brand\u2019s 75th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. <\/p>\n \n\tThrough all her career milestones and partnerships, Ambrose has made a point to stay authentic to herself, which she thinks has aided in her success. She says: \u201cThe most important way for women to use their power is by always showing up as their authentic and full self. I believe we have an authentic intelligence that makes us all unique and gives us our own superpowers. When women own that, take up space and show up in the world with this, not only are we contributing to our current society but also impacting and influencing the next generation \u2014 so the cycle continues.\u201d \u2014 Layla Ilchi<\/p>\n \n\tFrancesca Amfitheatrof, artistic director for watches and jewelry, Louis Vuitton<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tFrancesca Amfitheatrof<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tA globetrotter born in Tokyo and trained at London\u2019s Central Saint Martins, Francesca Amfitheatrof became the first artistic director for watches and jewelry at the French luxury house in 2018. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cFeel the power, don\u2019t taste the power\u201d is her advice to women. This sense of empowerment is the throughline of the five high jewelry collections she has designed so far for Louis Vuitton, in which she imagined bold designs served by striking gemstones.<\/p>\n \n\tBefore joining Louis Vuitton, Amfitheatrof made a debut at the intersection of fashion and art when she presented silver jewelry designs at the White Cube gallery in London in 1993. Most recently, she was design director at Tiffany & Co., the first woman to hold the position at the storied American jeweler, was instrumental in the reposition of the Tiffany Blue Book collections, and launched the HardWear fine jewelry range in 2017.<\/p>\n \n\tDeeply committed to education, Amfitheatrof has made mentoring an integral part of her work, featuring a course at her CSM alma matter and awarding two internships at Louis Vuitton to students each year. She is also president of the U.S. board of Sarabande, the Alexander McQueen foundation, and on the board of the Royal College of Art USA chaired by Johnny Ive. \u2014 Lily Templeton<\/p>\n \n\tDelphine Arnault<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tDelphine Arnault<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBrigitte Lacombe\/Courtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tDelphine Arnault personifies soft power. Earlier this year, she became chairman and chief executive officer of Christian Dior Couture, one of the crown jewels of LVMH Mo\u00ebt Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the French luxury group helmed by her father, Bernard Arnault. Commenting on his eldest child\u2019s promotion, he called it \u201canother milestone in a career journey in fashion and leather goods defined by excellence.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tLVMH prides itself on creating desirable, high-quality products, and that\u2019s always been Delphine Arnault\u2019s m.o.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cCreativity, attentiveness, listening, the art of detail, independence\u2026are for me key vectors of women\u2019s power,\u201d she told WWD. \u201cFashion, creation in general, enables women to increase this plural strength, to deploy their formidable capacity to weave connections, to lean in, generating meaning and collective energy.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tSchooled at the EDHEC Business School in Lille and the London School of Economics, Arnault began her career by spending two years at the international management consultancy McKinsey & Co., joining the family business in 2000 as a development director at the John Galliano fashion house. She moved to Dior in 2001 as a commercial director, also joining the executive committee. She ultimately worked her way up, rising to become Dior\u2019s deputy managing director in 2008.<\/p>\n \n\tIn 2013, Arnault was named executive vice president at Louis Vuitton, a commanding post in charge of supervising all of its product-related activities. Passionate about contemporary art, she spearheaded an array of splashy collaborations with the likes of Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama and others.<\/p>\n \n\tVery much in the mold of her father, Delphine Arnault delights in nurturing the creative sparks that fuel the industry, following design ideas through the multiple steps until they reach the sales floor.<\/p>\n \n\tShe\u2019s also a key talent scout for the group, and the force behind the LVMH Young Fashion Designer Prize, which marked its 10th edition this year. \u2014 Miles Socha<\/p>\n \n\tAlessandra Biaggi<\/strong>, former politician<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tAlessandra Biaggi<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tWith her pathfinding work on the \u201cFashion Act,\u201d former two-term New York State Senator Alessandra Biaggi has made her name known in fashion. Under the ambitious bill, Biaggi (alongside the likes of Stella McCartney) first called for New York fashion players with revenues of $100 million in revenue\u00a0to be held accountable for environmental and social practices. This includes adopting standardized environmental reporting, aligned social due diligence policies and an established fashion remediation fund for wrongdoings, among other aspects. The bill is set to weave its way into another legislative cycle under policymaker Brad Hoylman-Sigal. <\/p>\n \n\tSince the bill\u2019s introduction, countless supporters from ThredUp to Fashion Revolution and more have endorsed New York\u2019s \u201cFashion Act.\u201d Without question, the bill has spurred dialogue around what it takes to revive a domestic Garment District and sustainable fashion, more broadly.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tPrior to her foray into the fashion world, Biaggi led the charge in New York to pass legislation that holds workplaces accountable for addressing sexual misconduct. During her time in the Democratic conference, Biaggi worked with colleagues to pass legislation spanning tenant-centered housing reforms, climate-change initiatives, criminal justice reform, comprehensive workplace protections and voter protection legislation. She even spearheaded the operations for the Hillary Clinton campaign during the historic 2016 presidential election year.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWomen are most powerful when despite being deemed difficult by men and women alike, remain unstoppable and unruly in the face of their loudest critics attempts to frighten them into silence,\u201d Biaggi said.<\/p>\n \n\tA lifelong New Yorker and alumni of New York University and Fordham Law, Biaggi has, once again, regained her student status pursuing Harvard Divinity school in the fall.\u00a0\u2014 Kaley Roshitsh<\/p>\n \n\tHailey Rhode Bieber, founder, Rhode<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tHailey Bieber<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tRhode, Hailey Bieber\u2019s beauty brand, debuted last year with a serum, a moisturizer and a suite of lip balms that garnered a waitlist in the hundreds of thousands.<\/p>\n \n\tAs a part of the brand\u2019s inception, Bieber also founded the Rhode Futures Foundation, which met its goal of supporting 1,000 women and their families by 2023. That entails donating at least 1 percent of sales to different organizations that provide women of color with resources needed to \u201cdirect their own futures,\u201d per its website.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cAs women, we can use our power to champion each other, which is why I created the Rhode Futures Foundation. It was incredibly important to me to bring this to life at the same time as my brand, Rhode, to use my platform to uplift and invest in solutions that position women to direct their own futures,\u201d Bieber, the founder, creative director and chairwoman of Rhode, said. \u201cThe results we\u2019ve seen from the foundation in the last year alone are reflective of the impact that women-led brands can create and we\u2019re so proud of what we\u2019ve been able to accomplish, together with our community.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tSince then, the brand has also released an essence in line with the brand\u2019s barrier-protecting value proposition, and has expanded to new territories like the U.K. and Canada. <\/p>\n \n\tAt the same time, Bieber has continued a robust modeling career, starring in campaigns for Saint Laurent and LVMH Mo\u00ebt Hennessy Louis Vuitton-owned Tiffany & Co., and been a catalyst for style trends \u2014 from lobs to glazed donut nails \u2014 among Gen Z. \u2014 James Manso<\/p>\n \n\tGrace Wales Bonner, designer<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tGrace Wales Bonner<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVanni Bassetti\/WWD<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tIt\u2019s been quite a year so far for Grace Wales Bonner, who was awarded the BFC\/GQ Designer Fashion Fund for menswear, and who staged a standout spring show at the Paris Men\u2019s shows in June.<\/p>\n \n\tStarting in November, she\u2019ll be taking part in the Museum of Modern Art\u2019s Artist\u2019s Choice series. For her \u201cSpirit Movers\u201d theme, she is curating around 50 works from MoMA\u2019s collection.<\/p>\n \n\tShe has owed her success in large part to the women who surround her.<\/p>\n \n\tWales Bonner says she\u2019s grateful for the strong female leaders \u201cwho have helped me understand a way to operate in the world. All you have to do is look around to understand how to live fearlessly and shine brightly. There are so many wonderful examples existing in real time.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe accolades have landed regularly since she launched her menswear label, Wales Bonner, in 2014, shortly after graduating from London\u2019s Central Saint Martins and winning the L\u2019Or\u00e9al Professionnel Talent Award.<\/p>\n \n\tShe is an LVMH Prize winner, and in June 2022 was Pitti Uomo\u2019s special guest designer.<\/p>\n \n\tIn 2015, Wales Bonner scooped the prize for Emerging Menswear Designer at the Fashion Awards in London and received the CFDA International Men\u2019s Designer of the Year award in 2021.<\/p>\n \n\tIn 2022 she was awarded an MBE for services to fashion in Queen Elizabeth\u2019s annual Birthday Honors list. MBE stands for Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, and holders include fellow designer Craig Green and musicians Adele and Ed Sheeran.<\/p>\n \n\tWales Bonner has a long history of collaborations and inspirations, many of which focus on the experiences and cultures of African communities and diaspora on both sides of the Atlantic.<\/p>\n \n\tPast collections have referenced the works of Caribbean poets Kamau Brathwaite and the Nobel Prize winner Derek Walcott and the experience of Black Caribbean expats and intellectuals living and studying in England in the \u201980s.<\/p>\n \n\tShe has also been inspired by West African studio portraiture and the work of the artist Sanl\u00e9 Sory in the \u201970s, as well as the lives of Don and Moki Cherry as they were making music and art in \u201970s Sweden.<\/p>\n \n\tEarlier this year, Wales Bonner introduced a bigger, broader apparel offer, new footwear, jewelry and accessories collections. She has also forged strong ties with retailers including Nordstrom.<\/p>\n \n\tShe has a longstanding collaboration with Adidas and was among the creatives that Maria Grazia Chiuri tapped to contribute looks to the 2020 Dior cruise collection. \u2014 Samantha Conti<\/p>\n \n\tGina Boswell, CEO, Bath & Body Works<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tGina Boswell<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tBath & Body Works Inc. appointed Gina Boswell as chief executive officer and a member of the board in 2022 and she has hit the ground running, working to transform the established retailer as a stand-alone business following its spin off from L Brands.<\/p>\n \n\tThat includes launching Bath & Body Works\u2019 loyalty program nationwide. The company has said enrollment speed is one of the fastest in the industry, and the program has 38 million members to date. Loyalty sales represented approximately two-thirds of Bath & Body Works\u2019 U.S. sales since launch.<\/p>\n \n\tThe retailer also entered fabric care, debuting its first laundry detergents and scent boosters online and in 80 stores this fall, with plans to introduce fabric softeners and other products within the category.<\/p>\n \n\tBath & Body Works is also building on the success of its men\u2019s business to include grooming, initially focusing on face and beard care and has also launched hair care with shampoo, conditioner and a dry shampoo.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tBoswell previously worked at Unilever, first as executive vice president of personal care in North America, before being appointed head of Unilever U.K. and Ireland. Most recently, she was president of customer development for Unilever USA. She joined Unilever through the acquisition of Alberto Culver Company, where she served as president of global brands. Earlier in her career, Boswell held leadership and business development roles at Avon Products Inc., Ford Motor Co. and the Est\u00e9e Lauder Cos.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cRetail and beauty industries have the opportunity \u2014 and I would say, responsibility \u2014 to model how diverse representation delivers better results,\u201d said Boswell. \u201cAs a leader, I\u2019m committed to using my platform to continue to advocate for and drive impactful change.\u201d \u2014 Kathryn Hopkins<\/p>\n \n\tCarmen Busquets, entrepreneur, strategic investor and philanthropist<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tCarmen Busquets<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tWhat do Net-a-porter, Moda Operandi, Farfetch and Cult Beauty have in common? They were all backed by Carmen Busquets.<\/p>\n \n\tThe Venezuelan-born entrepreneur was a pioneer investor in the fashion tech space, cofounding Net-a-porter and putting her money behind a series of companies that also include Lyst, Flowerbx and Astley Clarke.<\/p>\n \n\tShe has also focused on sustainable ventures such as Byronesque, the Paris-based luxury vintage retailer that recently relaunched as an online boutique department store.<\/p>\n \n\tNot just a business angel, Busquets supports a variety of philanthropic causes, including the World Wildlife Fund; nonprofit Nest, which helps to connect artisans with retailers and brands; and Glasswing, which operates health and education programs for children in Latin America and New York City.<\/p>\n \n\tHaving started her retail career while she was still studying at the University of Miami and, in the \u201990s, founding Cabus, a multibrand luxury fashion retailer in Caracas, she is also passionate about mentoring female business leaders.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWomen need to use their power to uplift other women. My goal is to see women become the leaders they are capable of being. I devote a lot of my time to mentoring female entrepreneurs, teaching them what I have learnt about running sustainable and profitable businesses focused on growth,\u201d Busquets said.\u00a0\u201cI also work with a number of nonprofit organizations focused on promoting gender and racial equality as I value cultural diversity and feel that everyone, regardless of their background, should have the same access to opportunities and to being heard.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tAlexandra Van Houtte, founder and chief executive officer of fashion search engine Tagwalk, is one of her mentees. \u201cCarmen does things unlike anyone else. She works through instinct and invests enormous amounts of time in other people. She is much more than an investor,\u201d Van Houtte said. \u2014 Joelle Diderich<\/p>\n \n\tCarla Chalouhi, president and CEO of Arije<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tCarla Chalouhi<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tWhen Carla Chalouhi took over in 1994 after the sudden passing of her father, the family-owned duty-free operation had one store in Paris, four employees, and business, particularly in hard luxury industries, was still very much male-dominated.<\/p>\n \n\tNearly three decades later, Arije has grown to a network of 14 doors across France, the U.K. and Monaco, including three multibrand flagships in Paris and London, carrying the timepieces of Rolex, Bulgari, Cartier among others, as well as jewelry brands Boucheron, Chopard or Messika.<\/p>\n \n\tChalouhi strongly believes that women can \u201cmentor and uplift others to recognize and take advantage of their unique traits, in order to challenge the status quo and create positive change in their environment,\u201d she told WWD, having \u201cwitnessed firsthand the transformation of women\u2019s purpose and power in society\u201d throughout her career.<\/p>\n \n\tIn particular, women\u2019s \u201cpower of procreation and nurturing\u201d means they have \u201can instinct to create and implement boundless ideas,\u201d enabling them to \u201cchallenge and reshape the world around them, preventing conflict on corporate, political or other levels of society, without affecting the issues at hand through soft power,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \n\tAt the helm of a company that counts more than 150 employees and with sales surpassing 100 million euros a year, Chalouhi has carved a distinctive position in the executive spheres of high-end watchmaking and jewelry, where her discretion is as sought after as her expert insight.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cInfluential women can inspire the younger generations to recognize their uniqueness and potential, reminding them that more often than not, the barriers that inhibit them from being successful are internal and preconceived beliefs,\u201d she said. \u201cIt is only once we recognize and challenge the subtle yet defeating factors that we encounter daily, that we can break them apart, embrace our potential, and reach leadership positions.\u201d \u2014 Lily Templeton <\/p>\n \n\tPrisca Courtin, chairman, Groupe Clarins\u2019 supervisory board, and CEO, Famille C Participations<\/strong>, and<\/strong> Virginie Courtin, managing director, Groupe Clarins<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tPrisca Courtin and Virginie Courtin<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tPrisca Courtin and Virginie Courtin\u2019s roles at Groupe Clarins, founded by their grandfather Jacques Courtin, were elevated in February 2022 to chairman of the company\u2019s supervisory board, and managing director Groupe Clarins, respectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tPrisca Courtin also founded Famille C Participations, her family\u2019s holding company that has recently made some headline-grabbing acquisitions. In April, it purchased a majority stake in Pai Skincare to help step up the brand\u2019s growth and turn it into selective distribution\u2019s clean skin care leader. In March 2022, it acquired buzzy Ilia Beauty. Other beauty brands in the portfolio include Ceremonia and Joone.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThe women of our generation have a particular responsibility, because we\u2019re moving into positions that women couldn\u2019t have reached 50 years ago,\u201d Prisca Courtin said. \u201cOur responsibility as company directors is to set up open governance, mixed and diverse management teams, welcoming different profiles to enrich decision-making. This question is also particularly important for us, as we work in an industry where the vast majority of products are produced for women.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tVirginie Courtin, who spent four years serving as a group deputy chief executive officer before moving into the managing director role, has been instrumental in forming Clarins\u2019 Corporate Social Responsibility roadmap, including the Clarins We Care approach for caring for people and the planet. That includes aiming for B Corp certification by 2024, codesigning products with consumers, implementing a responsible purchasing charter and decreasing the number of ingredients used in formulas. It is part of the company\u2019s ambitious strategy, called Clarins Unlimited, which should help the company pass the 2 billion euro net revenue threshold in 2024, according to industry sources.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThe most important way for women to use their power is to use it as a tool for positive change. I think that we must use our skills and resources, our inner strength and influence to empower the next generation, create innovative ideas for the future,\u201d said Virginie Courtin. \u201cI personally use my voice to set Clarins the best example possible: to give back what nature gives us, to create a more equitable world, to advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, for the environment\u2026and to always learn, grow, listen and improve.\u201d \u2014 Jennifer Weil\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tJennifer Coolidge, actor<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tJennifer Coolidge<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tA comedic character actor for three decades, Jennifer Coolidge achieved leading role status for her performance as Tonya McQuoid in HBO\u2019s \u201cWhite Lotus,\u201d delighting fans on- and off-screen with her real talk and confident style. She also starred in an E.l.f. Beauty Super Bowl commercial.<\/p>\n \n\tAt age 62, she has a Golden Globe, an Emmy and another Emmy nomination, and is being sent more scripts than ever. Next, she\u2019ll be seen in the films \u201cRiff Raff\u201d with Brian Cox and Dustin Hoffman, and in \u201cLegally Blonde 3\u201d reprising her role with Reese Witherspoon. \u2014 Booth Moore<\/p>\n \n\tRaffaella Cornaggia, CEO, Kering Beaut\u00e9<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tRaffaella Cornaggia<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tRaffaella Cornaggia was named chief executive officer of Kering Beaut\u00e9 and member of Kering\u2019s executive committee in February, following months of speculation about whether the French luxury conglomerate would take its beauty business back in-house. The company wasted no time doing so. <\/p>\n \n\tCornaggia, a beauty-industry veteran with experience at L\u2019Or\u00e9al, Chanel Parfums Beaut\u00e9 and the Est\u00e9e Lauder Cos., is mandated with developing a beauty expertise for a bouquet of brands, including Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Pomellato and Qeelin. Industry experts believe it makes good strategic sense for Kering to sharpen its focus on beauty, especially as the group has a stronger balance sheet and net cash position with which to carry out deals. <\/p>\n \n\tAnd while many assumed Cornaggia and her team would first solely focus on polishing up the brands already in Kering\u2019s portfolio, major news broke in June that the group had acquired high-end niche fragrance house Creed in a deal reportedly valued at 3.5 billion euros. It is expected that Creed\u2019s existing network will let Kering build the distribution capabilities for its fledgling beauty division. <\/p>\n \n\tKering-owned fashion brands Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent also have beauty brands, outsourced to Coty Inc. and L\u2019Or\u00e9al, respectively. Interparfums runs Boucheron\u2019s perfume business, while Lalique Group develops Brioni fragrances. <\/p>\n \n\tAll eyes are on how those will be lured back and what else Kering might snap up. Cornaggia\u2019s stance on the most important way for women to use their power? \u201cOur power comes from our true self, and I believe our responsibility is being, in every way, who we really are,\u201d she said. \u201cI also firmly believe that we can effectively drive\u00a0change by using our own influence to empower those around us. As we become allies, we actually\u00a0grow stronger \u2014 personally and collectively.\u00a0A vision that is shared can finally become tangible, and an inspiration to so many.\u201d \u2014 Jennifer Weil<\/p>\n \n\tNell Diamond, founder and CEO, Hill House Home<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tNell Diamond<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tZac Frackelton\/Courtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tNell Diamond, the 35-year-old founder and chief executive officer of Hill House Home, runs a company that\u2019s been showing aggressive growth since it was launched in 2016.<\/p>\n \n\tWell known for its Nap Dress, which became a sensation during the pandemic, the brand has expanded meaningfully into new categories, including footwear and outerwear, and started opening stores. Hill House Home operates three retail stores in Rockefeller Center, New York, Nantucket and Palm Beach, and a Charleston store will open later this year.<\/p>\n \n\tHill House Home has many styles that have sold out quickly, and several from its summer drop with 23 new silhouettes were gone within minutes, ultimately generating the collection $5.3 million in sales within a week of launch.<\/p>\n \n\tThe company has been on a tear launching additional product categories. It launched a bridal capsule, expanded event dressing options, and added technical puffer jackets, swimwear and shoes. Hill House Home, which started as a direct-to-consumer business, launched an exclusive collaboration with Net-a-porter this summer, and has increased its wholesale presence with retailers such Saks Fifth Avenue, Net-a-porter and Shopbop. Hill House Home also launched in the U.K. in May.<\/p>\n \n\tDiamond is a mother of three, with a son and set of boy-girl twins who were born during the pandemic. She\u00a0has an undergraduate degree from Princeton and an MBA from the Yale School of Management and was previously a fixed income analyst at Deutsche Bank.<\/p>\n \n\tDiamond told WWD the most important way for women to use their power is \u201cauthentically and without any apologies. For me it happened over time \u2014 at first I was embarrassed when I stepped into a more true version of myself.\u2026I was always worried I was too girly, too cringe, too weird. Now I have found freedom in figuring out what makes me feel like the truest version of myself, and I aim to embrace that every day. The most powerful thing a woman can do is to be unapologetically herself.\u201d \u2014 Lisa Lockwood<\/p>\n \n\tMary Dillon, president and CEO, Foot Locker Inc.<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tMary Dillon<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAkilah Townsend\/Courtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tWhen Mary Dillon was tapped as Foot Locker\u2019s new chief executive officer last fall, insiders immediately cheered the choice. After all, Dillon transformed Ulta Beauty from a regional player into a national powerhouse, leading a period of incredible growth at the beauty retailer during her eight years at the helm. <\/p>\n \n\tThe executive hasn\u2019t wasted any time at Foot Locker, quickly revitalizing the chain\u2019s all-important relationship with Nike, and bolstering partnerships with key growth brands like Hoka and On Holding. Amid a period of stagnation across the athletic industry and a highly promotional environment \u2014\u00a0Foot Locker and many other retailers had a rough start to the year \u2014 Dillon is focused on closing unprofitable stores and cementing the retailer\u2019s place at the center of sneaker culture. She\u2019s also overhauling the company\u2019s executive ranks \u2014 and bringing other powerful female leaders on board, including Nike vet Blanca Gonzalez, who was recently hired to lead the WSS chain.\u00a0 <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWomen in leadership can use their position to uplift other women and the voices of other underrepresented groups to create inclusive and supportive environments \u2014 especially in the workplace,\u201d Dillon said. \u201cAt various points throughout my career journey,\u00a0I\u2019ve recognized the value of representation and diverse perspectives, and have ensured that this is reflected across all levels of my leadership teams and boards. By empowering these voices, we can uncover incredible viewpoints and creativity we might otherwise not have, positively impacting the success and culture of entire companies.\u201d \u2014 Katie Abel<\/p>\n \n\tAngela Dong, vice president of Nike Inc. and general manager of Nike Greater China<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tAngela Dong<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tResilient, determined, creative: Angela Dong has been a formidable force at Nike, adeptly navigating intense change and challenge across the critical China market during a prolonged pandemic lockdown. Through it all, the leader \u2014 who has headed up the greater China business since 2015 \u2014 stayed focused by doubling down on hyper-local initiatives to bolster Nike\u2019s relationships with consumers and retailers. Last year, for example, the brand opened its Nike Style retail concept in Shanghai, expanded its partnership with Tmall and debuted the China Technology Center in Shenzen. With sourcing and supply chain issues topping the agenda for every company, Nike also built a new logistics center under Dong\u2019s direction. With COVID-19 recovery now in full swing, the greater China market posted a 25 percent revenue increase in the fourth quarter, and market watchers are bullish on the prospects for the months ahead. <\/p>\n \n\tOutside of her business prowess, Dong is known has a caring leader who puts her team first. \u201cAs women, the most important way for us to use our power is to uplift and support one another,\u201d Dong said. \u201cWe should foster a culture of collaboration and empowerment, where we amplify each other\u2019s voices and celebrate each other\u2019s successes. At Nike, we are deeply committed to cultivating a working environment focused on diversity, equity and inclusiveness. No matter where we come from, the love of sport unites us, and it is this shared passion that brings us together.\u201d \u2014\u00a0Katie Abel<\/p>\n \n\tGina<\/strong> Drosos, CEO, Signet Jewelers <\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tGina Drosos<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tGina Drosos is chief executive officer of Signet Jewelers, considered the world\u2019s largest retailer of diamond jewelry. Signet banners include Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Diamonds Direct, Blue Nile, James Allen, Rocksbox, Peoples Jewellers, H. Samuel and Ernest Jones.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tCalled transformative and credited with building a diverse senior team, Drosos was appointed Signet CEO in July 2017 and has served on Signet\u2019s board since 2012. Under her leadership, the company\u2019s market capitalization grew from less than $1 billion at the start of the pandemic to about $3 billion today. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cIt\u2019s incumbent on women leaders to \u2018lift as we climb.\u2019 We must prioritize diversity in leadership roles, mentor top talent, and ensure that diverse candidates have growth opportunities throughout the company, particularly in crucial roles,\u201d Drosos said, when asked what\u2019s the most important way she can use her power. \u201cIn my experience, diversity is a powerful business strategy and driver of results.\u00a0Diverse teams see 360 degrees, identify new opportunities faster, move with heightened agility, and are less likely to become complacent. Fresh perspectives are key to innovation. At Signet, our DE&I [diversity, equity and inclusion] strategy aligns with our business strategy and corporate sustainability goals. I\u2019m personally involved in creating a deep bench of diverse talent by driving a positive and inclusive culture and empowering our team members with the tools they need to be successful.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tDrosos has more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in the consumer goods, beauty and health care industries, as well as retail. Her r\u00e9sum\u00e9 boasts time leading Assurex Health, as well as 25 years at Procter & Gamble, where she built multibillion-dollar brands and reinvented global categories. As P&G group president, global beauty, she led a $12 billion plus operation with a portfolio of more than 20 brands.<\/p>\n \n\tDrosos serves on boards at Foot Locker, the Akron Children\u2019s Hospital board and has long supported purpose-driven organizations,\u00a0including\u00a0her\u00a0role\u00a0on\u00a0Back2Back\u00a0Ministries,\u00a0and\u00a0Cosmetic Executive Women. \u2014 David Moin<\/p>\n \n\tAlix Earle, content creator<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tAlix Earle<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJeff Thibodeau\/Courtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tShe\u2019s the \u201cIt\u201d girl heard around the world. Over the last year, 22-year-old Alix Earle has captivated TikTok audiences with her lively personality and beauty prowess, even causing products\u00a0\u2014\u00a0like Mielle Organics\u2019 Rosemary Mint Hair Oil\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to sell out within mere hours of featuring them in her videos. The recent University of Miami graduate counts more than 5.6 million followers on TikTok and has inked deals with companies including Selena Gomez\u2019s Rare Beauty, GrubHub and Tarte Cosmetics, to name a few.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tAmong her rarest feats, though, is meeting Gen Z\u2019s appetite for content that is authentic and aspirational: Earle\u2019s signature \u201cGet Ready With Me\u201d videos sometimes take place in her familiar, messy-in-a-loved-way bedroom, and other times in the Hamptons en route to Michael Rubin\u2019s star-studded White Party.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tThe social media darling has long been open about her struggle with cystic acne, using her platform to discuss the challenges she\u2019s endured in her own self-confidence journey and subsequently making her followers feel a little less lonesome in dealing with their own.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI believe the most important way for women to use their power is by empowering other women,\u201d said Earle, who recently established a scholarship at her alma mater. \u201cIt\u2019s important to remember somebody else\u2019s success doesn\u2019t take away from your own, and we should all surround ourselves with people who lift us up. By doing that, competition turns into collaboration where there\u2019s no limit to what we can all accomplish.\u201d \u2014 Noor Lobad<\/p>\n \n\tSilvia Venturini Fendi, artistic director of accessories and menswear at Fendi<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tSilvia Venturini Fendi<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDANIELE LA MALFA\/Courtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tA member of the\u00a0third generation of the Fendi family, from\u00a01992 until 2019, Silvia Venturini Fendi flanked the late Karl Lagerfeld in artistic direction and has been, since 1994, in charge of the\u00a0accessories and menswear collections.\u00a0She revived the tradition of Roman master saddlers with her 1994 Selleria line, characterized by handmade stitching. In 1997 she conceived the cult Baguette bag, and in 2009 launched the Peekaboo bag.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tSince 2010, she has been the president of AltaRoma, and has been instrumental in promoting fashion in the city of Rome. She has also promoted initiatives to support artisans and craftsmanship.<\/p>\n \n\tIn 2020 she staged the first \u201cHand in Hand\u201d exhibition,\u00a0calling\u00a0upon an array of artisans to interpret the\u00a0Baguette bag\u00a0by applying their local crafts.\u00a0\u201cAbove all, sustainability is about human commitment, transparency and civil respect,\u201d she has said.\u00a0Venturini Fendi is also particularly tuned in to the arts, and over the years has teamed with architects and designers from Sara Coleman to Cristina Celestino or Chris Wolston and Oscar Wang, on collections for the brand\u2019s home line, partnering with Design Miami.<\/p>\n \n\tFendi has also helped restore several landmarks in Rome, from the Trevi Fountain to the Palazzo della Civilt\u00e0, where the brand is headquartered.<\/p>\n \n\tIn June, the designer paid tribute to the company\u2019s artisans and Fendi\u2019s handiwork by staging its men\u2019s spring 2024 collection at\u00a0its factory in Capannuccia, Bagno a Ripoli, a 30-minute drive from Florence, as this season\u2019s\u00a0Pitti Uomo\u00a0special guest, decamping from Milan, where it usually shows.\u00a0For the occasion, she\u00a0invited celebrated architect Kengo Kuma to chip in and select an artisan to rework the Peekaboo design.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI believe softer forms of power should prevail over patriarchal methods,\u201d Fendi said, asked how she thought women should use their power. \u201cWomen should advocate for themselves, support one another, and lead by example through empathy, inclusivity and equality \u2014 values that are crucial today.\u201d \u2014 Luisa Zargani<\/p>\n \n\tMandy Fields, CFO, E.l.f. Beauty<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tMandy Fields<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tMandy Fields joined E.l.f. Beauty in 2019 as senior vice president and chief financial officer, and since then the beauty company has been flying high, with quarter after quarter of growth. <\/p>\n \n\tFields came to E.l.f. with more than 16 years of finance experience, most recently as the CFO of BevMo, the West Coast alcoholic beverages retailer. Prior to that, she held positions at grocery company Albertsons Companies, and The Gap, where she began her retail finance career after working in equity capital markets at J.P. Morgan. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cInspiring the next generation and others to own their careers, their destinies and their dreams is one of the most meaningful ways women in leadership can use their power,\u201d said Fields. \u201cI find the most heartful moments are when I inspire others to embrace their true (s)e.l.f., talents and passions, and I believe blending them together can lead to extraordinary success.\u201d <\/p>\n \n\tFields discovered her true passions early, budgeting and making financial decisions with her mom as a little girl. \u201cDiscovering that there\u2019s an actual career in which you can do that on a large scale and influence the direction of a company was magic for me.\u00a0Becoming a CFO was my destiny.\u00a0That was my dream for myself, and I encountered people along the way that told me that was not going to be for me \u2014 not on my timeline, not in my way,\u201d she continued.\u00a0\u201cI became CFO at 35 years old, when many told me it would take me well into my 60s to achieve it.\u00a0I am now CFO of a $6 billion company, and seeing the success which I worked so hard to achieve. I made my aspirations a reality, and I hope that with my leadership influence, I can blaze the trail for others and inspire future leaders to find their unique superpowers.\u201d \u2014 Kathryn Hopkins<\/p>\n \n\tMichelle Gass, president, Levi Strauss & Co.<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tMichelle Gass<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Photo<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tThere\u2019s a small club of women who have led one of the large, publicly traded fashion companies.<\/p>\n \n\tAnd Michelle Gass is about to have her membership card stamped twice.<\/p>\n \n\tGass spent nearly a decade at Kohl\u2019s Corp. and rose to become chief executive officer, steering the company through the pandemic and inking a crucial deal with Sephora.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tNow, she is set to reprise that role at Levi Strauss & Co., where she is president and set to take over from CEO Chip Bergh by next summer.<\/p>\n \n\tIt\u2019s another high-profile perch that will allow her be an advocate and C-suite role model.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWhen thinking about power, the most impactful thing a leader can do is give it away,\u201d Gass told WWD. \u201cEmpower those around you. Seek to understand. Create space for opportunities. When you elevate others, you actually become more influential. By fostering an environment where people feel seen, heard and valued, you\u2019re not just building a team, you\u2019re building leaders. And leaders will help your organization reach heights you could never attain alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThis year, Gass has been on an around-the-world trip \u2014 from Levi\u2019s headquarters in San Francisco to London, Paris, Barcelona and beyond as she both learns the business and steers the company\u2019s flagship brand and its digital and commercial operations. \u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tShe likes what Bergh built over the last 12 years at Levi\u2019s and is looking to \u201caccelerate\u201d the business, she said in her first interview at Levi\u2019s.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tWhile Gass sees potential all over at the denim company, one area she has zeroed in on early in her tenure is e-commerce. \u201cThere is a lot of upside in that business,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd whether that is the loyalty program, the app \u2014 I mean, in my prior two lives, I\u2019ve seen the power of both of those things.\u201d \u2014 Evan Clark<\/p>\n \n\tRaissa Gerona, chief brand officer, Revolve<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t![\"June](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/035_june_ambrose_LEX_1229.jpg?w=300\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/LV_FrancescaAmfitheatrof_03_637_ALIQUE.jpg?w=200\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Delphine-Arnault-.jpeg?w=300\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Alessandra-Biaggi_web.jpg?w=300\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Hailey-Beiber-Headshot-Final.jpg?w=240\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"Grace](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Grace-Bonner.jpeg?w=200\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Gina-Boswell.jpg?w=300\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Carmen-Busquets_Photo-Credit_Luc-Coiffait.jpeg?w=239\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Carla-Chalouhi.jpg?w=169\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/duh.jpg?w=300\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jennifer-Coolidge-Headshot.jpg?w=300\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Raffaella-Cornaggia-Photo-by-Jean-Francois-Robert-Modds_Courtesy-of-Kering.jpg?w=300\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"Nell](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Nell-Diamond_Zac-Frackelton.jpg?w=200\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/MaryDillon_StateSt_Crop.jpg?w=200\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"PixCake\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/NIKE_AngelaDong_JUN23_1-1.jpg?w=200\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Gina-C.-Drosos.jpeg?w=300\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Alix-Earle_.jpg?w=240\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Silvia-Venturini-Fendi.jpg?w=200\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"Executive](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/MandyFields_2824.jpg?w=200\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Michelle_Gass_WWD.jpg?w=200\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Raissa-Headshot-2.jpg?w=242\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>