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Carmel is a renowned creative director and stylist boasting over 10 years of experience in the fashion industry. Formerly Editor-in-Chief at Elle Arabia magazine and Emirates Woman magazine, Carmel has showcased her profound influence on the fashion landscape. She co-founded the contemporary wear label Second Summer in 2020 and is a mother of 2 beautiful girls.
International womens day to me is a celebration of every woman in the world. No matter how big or small each of our achievements are, it’s about recognising and celebrating every highlight and a move towards equal opportunities and rights across the globe.
My family, my husband and all my amazing friends make me feel empowered. My mum and dad always said to me when I was growing up, you go do whatever you love, it took me a while to figure out exactly what that was, but they never stopped me or tried to steer me in another direction, they let me carve my own path and always supported and empowered me the whole way, even until this day they are my biggest supporters.
To be honest I do struggle with this, I handle multiple projects at a time and it does get overwhelming, especially as my role as a freelance creative director, it’s hard to say no sometimes to amazing projects, and this work has very busy periods where everything happens at once. I’m learning to say no more though, and learning to switch off!
What's important to me is to teach my children that women really can have it all, you can be both a mother and run a successful business and achieve great success. I want to teach them that whatever they want to be or do when they are older, as long as they believe in themselves they’ll always be successful in it no matter how hard it may be to achieve it.
My friends inspire me, they are all doing really great things, I’m grateful to have such amazing women in my life, who all raise each other up. No dream is too big in our group, everyone is reaching for the stars. It’s a really great feeling!
I’m Sarah, Owner of The Ease Label, a small, slow Australian fashion label, focused on creating quality resort pieces that are made sustainably and ethically by Balinese artisans. I’m also a mum to 3 girls aged 2, 4 and 6, a part time corporate woman, and a lover of all things fashion & design.
It’s funny, IWD has really hit home for me now that I’m a mum to 3 daughters. To me it means celebrating how phenomenal women are, it’s pushing the boundaries of gender stereo-typing, it’s paving the way for more change for women to be acknowledged and treated as equals in all areas. It’s also bringing men along for the journey, educating them on gender bias and the shift in what they perceive are traditional women's ‘roles’. It’s pushing towards a culture of a much more shared and equal responsibility and recognition between men and women in regards to our society, everything from our careers to our roles in raising families. At the end of the day, I want the world to be an easier place for my daughters to be a part of, where they are always heard, respected and treated fairly in all areas of their lives.
Surrounding myself with amazing women is one way to feel empowered. There is nothing like the energy of a group of women coming together - whether it’s my best friends, a group of creatives working on a project for The Ease, or a group of mums sharing the highs and lows of parenting, as a collective we empower each other.
Ha, it’s tough! A lot of the times there is always one area that needs more work. One thing I am always conscious of is to switch off and be present with my family of an evening and weekend. It’s hard as a small business to disconnect from social media and your business, but it has to be done to give time and energy to my family. Also having a supportive partner is a huge part of it, over time, and many conversations, we now have a really good routine when it comes to work and our family and whose doing what. Finally, when I need it, I get help. Whether it’s getting someone in to clean the house once a fortnight because I’m drowning, or ordering some pre-made meals, these little things take a whole lot of mental stress away to be able to focus on what I need to do for work and the family.
It’s a balance of teaching my girls that they can do anything, but they don’t have to do everything. Which is one I constantly have to keep working on. So empowering them to follow their passions, their dreams, and believing in them to achieve, but also to teach them about self-care and looking after themselves and that it’s ok to say no. Also I want to instill in them a great deal of self confidence and self awareness as they’re growing up in a social media heavy world, and I worry about what that does to young, easily influenced minds. I just want them to love themselves and not be constantly comparing themselves to what they see online.
So many! My mother is an inspiration to me in the way she has always parented, and I’m blessed with a wonderful group of talented, successful, amazing girlfriends who inspire me every day and in every way.
I’m Michelle, founder of Freya Lillie. 42 year old Mum of 2, fitness lover and self-development obsessed. Previously a business lecturer and model, I decided to combine my love of both when my little girl arrived 3 months prematurely. It’s been great to be home more for her and do what I love. She’s now 9!
It’s great to see women do well and for women to support women. It takes nothing to just be nice. Take inspiration from women of all walks of life. Use it for motivation.
If I have a lot of work to do I get up at 5am. It really is the magic hour and I seem to get a full days work done in a short amount of time.
But other than that, I work during the school day and when I work, I’m at work and when I’m with family, I’m with family. Present in whatever I am doing at that moment. I’m currently sat on holiday, but I do take half an hour or so to check in and make sure everything is ok on the emails/socials.
As a woman in business, I love it when I’ve inspired other women or helped them in anyway. I’m starting to coach women this year who want to have their own business within the school run. I miss teaching! For my children I want to teach them that anything is possible you just have to be willing to work for it. Follow that fire inside!
I love Sara Davies, she’s from up North, my neck of the woods. She came from nothing helping out in the family business to being successful globally because she wouldn’t quit and just had so much passion inside. Her book was amazing and so inspiring.
Designer and founder of the label, Danielle Jade Windsor has a wealth of experience working in the fashion industry for over eighteen years as a multi-product womenswear designer. After receiving a full scholarship to complete her Masters at Domus Academy in Milan, she then went on to work for the likes of Viktor & Rolf, Matthew Williamson and Zara. At present the mum of 2 is consulting for brands internationally while developing YAITTE
IWD is a time to celebrate all women in all walks of life. Inspiring and supporting one another.
I have just completed the Goldman Sachs 10KSB Small Businesses course and feel more empowered than ever. I now have a new found mindset, business support & life long friends. Knowledge is power as they say.
I am unsure if I am the right person to ask in all honesty, it is a real struggle.
Having two beautiful young children, a growing business and full time consultancy work to support the growth of that said business. I am fortunate that I have my husband's full support, but somedays, it is overwhelming. Juggling everything, yet feeling like you are not doing a good enough job in all aspects where I split my time is tough.
This year I am trying to make more time to read (which helps my brain switch-off) enjoy every moment with my children - we just got back from a brilliant trip in the US surrounded by nature. Cooking as its another creative output...and yoga which I use to really enjoy. I have just got back from a work trip in India and their spirituality is infectious.
I want to teach my children that dreams can become a reality - with enough determination, a strong vision and hard work. Self belief is everything but very hard to retain especially as a women in today's society. I truly believe it's the little things and kindness is so powerful, we need to support one another more than ever.
Coco Chanel. “A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.”.
