IWD is an annual global day that every March 8th celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
Polly Hall, owner of Murray Store, and two of our favourite, long-serving suppliers share insights, to yes, celebrate the day, and celebrate them.
Polly Hall
Murray Store
This very own independent menswear shop, 10 years young this year!
“What female in business has inspired you, and why?”
Katrina Larkin, co-founder & CCO Fora. She was a co-founder of Murray Store and has been a trailblazer in business since setting up the Big Chill Festival through to her current role, opening new co-working spaces every month, it feels like, transforming buildings into utopian meccas for clear and creative thought. She’s also a dear friend, confidant and a lot of fun on a night out. The whole package women can aspire to be!
Jess Quinton
Quinton & Chadwick
A quintessentially British label that produces high-end accessories and knitwear for fashion and home, made in the UK, using artful colour and design and 100% natural fibres. (Pictured left).
“If you could have dinner with 3 inspirational women, dead or alive, who would they be and why?”
Miuccia Prada (fashion designer)
I’ve got to have someone Italian with my design history, I worked in Italy at start of my career, mostly for Missoni.
Jane Austen (author)
For her sense of humour and because she’s such an interesting part of history.
Maria Grazia Chiuri (fashion designer)
Another Italian! What she is doing at Dior is brave and fascinating. She looks at the way we as women wear clothes to present ourselves, drawing on history and new innovation, using alternative type models and embracing diversity.
Harriet Wallace-Jones
Wallace#Sewell
A highly individual, British, woven textile design studio, inspired by the colours and textures of the countryside and cityscapes, 30 years young this year, found in over 200 stockists worldwide, sought by everyone from the Tate Museum to London Transport. (Pictured in yellow).
“Please share something you’ve learned as a successful businesswoman.”
As a designer, be true to your creative voice, yet really listen to what the customer wants. Discuss, be flexible, but also be professionally direct, so that everyone’s happy with the final outcome.
It’s so important to know and understand the technical side of your profession (which in our case, is industrial woven production) and what’s achievable, to gain respect from manufacturers who will work with you to achieve your goals.
Anything is possible.