WOMEN IN FASHION

BY VICTORIA KOCH

Celebrate International Women’s Day with 8 women behind some of South Coast Plaza’s most beloved brands.

From Jeanne Lanvin and Elsa Schiaparelli to Madeleine Vionnet and Coco Chanel, women have always been a force in fashion. And while their influence is undeniable, the industry has a history of being run by men. Fortunately, countless brands are striving toward gender equality and inclusivity, in both the design room and the boardroom. 

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, #InspireInclusion, is timelier than ever. Held each year on March 8, organizers of the global holiday are asking us to imagine a world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive, one where all kinds of women are valued. 

Maria Grazia Chiuri, Creative Director, Dior

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In celebration of IWD 2024, we’re spotlighting 8 women creative directors, brand ambassadors, and CEOs for international brands with boutiques at South Coast Plaza — and sharing their valuable insights when it comes to women, inclusion, and equality.

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DONATELLA VERSACE

VERSACE
Artistic Director and Vice President

As the artistic director and vice president of the board at Versace, Donatella Versace directs the overall vision of the house, from its runway collections and image, to its global growth in an evolving digital world. When her older brother Gianni opened the first Versace boutique in Milan in 1978, the brand became a favorite among the fashion set. Donatella, who served as vice president and acted as a muse to Gianni, ran the Versus diffusion line and directed Versace’s overall creative image. After her brother’s tragic murder in 1997, Donatella pushed the brand forward with her signature dynamism and flamboyance, making Versace more relevant than ever. 

LEVEL 1, Between Jewel and Carousel Courts
714.380.3237

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It’s vital to have women in all senior positions within all industries—the world is a better place when you have diverse perspectives.

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DONATELLA VERSACE IN VOGUE

MICHELLE YEOH

BALENCIAGA
Brand Ambassador

When Michelle Yeoh won her Oscar for Best Actress last year, she told the press backstage that her win for Everything Everywhere All at Once was “an historical moment.” And she was right. Yeoh, who originally hails from Malaysia, was the first Asian woman to be nominated for Best Actress and her win sent reverberations throughout the Asian and Asian American community and beyond (she also picked up a Golden Globe and SAG Award). Last fall, the London-educated Yeoh was named a brand ambassador by Balenciaga and stars in the brand’s spring 2024 campaign, yet another win for the 61-year-old global superstar. 

Level 1 & 2, Between Jewel and Carousel Courts
714.668.0557

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For too long, we as women have been left out of rooms and conversations. We have been told the door is closed to us. Well, Virginia Woolf once said, ‘There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.

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MICHELLE YEOH AT THE KERING WOMEN IN MOTION DINNER

MONIQUE LHUILLIER

MONIQUE LHUILLIER
Founder and Creative Director

One of America’s best known designers, Monique Lhuillier’s eponymous brand began as a modern bridal collection in 1996 and has evolved to include ready-to wear, footwear, handbags, fine jewelry, fragrance, and more. Born in the Philippines, Lhuillier was educated in Switzerland before studying fashion design in Los Angeles. Her glamorous and romantic creations make regular appearances on the red carpet thanks to fans such as Emma Stone, Quinta Brunson, Reese Witherspoon, and Taylor Swift, among others. More than 25 years after launching her business, Lhuillier’s house remains fiercely independent (her husband, Tom Bugbee, serves as CEO) and the creative force is still hands-on when it comes to her collections.

LEVEL 1, Saks Fifth Avenue Wing
714.241.4432

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I set out to build this brand to make women feel empowered and make them feel beautiful.

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MONIQUE LHUILLIER IN CNN STYLE

CHEMENA KAMALI

CHLOÉ
Creative Director

An alumna of Saint Laurent and Alberta Ferretti, Chemena Kamali took the creative reins at Chloé last fall and made her runway debut for the French fashion house at Paris Fashion Week last month. Born in Germany, Kamali received a Master of Arts in Fashion from Central Saint Martin’s University of the Arts in London and graduated with distinction in 2007. The skilled designer previously worked at Chloé under both Phoebe Philo and Clare Waight Keller earlier in her career and was delighted to return to the Maison as creative director. “My heart has always been Chloé’s,” she said upon her appointment.  

LEVEL 2, Between Jewel and Carousel Courts
714.481.0308

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I wanted to capture the emotion and energy of Chloé and the women who embody both its history and spirit. They are effortlessly powerful, beautiful, free.

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CHEMENA KAMALI

LIBBY WADLE

J. CREW GROUP
Chief Executive Officer

As the Chief Executive Officer of J.Crew Group, where she oversees J.Crew and Madewell stores, Libby Wadle has dedicated herself to sustainability and social impact, partnering with Fair Trade USA on denim and committing to using Good Cashmere Standard certified cashmere across all brands. With a resume that includes merchandising leadership roles at Coach and The Gap, Wadle has made waves in the industry for leading significant growth while focusing on customer-centric retail. An alumna of Boston College, Wadle is known as a thought leader in the industry and was named to Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business list.

LEVEL 2, Carousel Court
714.979.2739

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We value individuality, but also know we’re always stronger together. That togetherness means championing diversity, building equity, and fostering an inclusive experience for all our associates and customers.

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LIBBY WADLE IN WOMEN IN RETAIL

Maria Grazia Chiuri

DIOR
CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Before becoming Dior’s first-ever female creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri enjoyed a 17-year career at Valentino, including eight years as co-creative director alongside longtime collaborator Pierpaolo Piccioli. The Italian fashion designer studied at Istituto Europeo di Design before joining Fendi as a designer in 1989 (where she’d go on to create the iconic Baguette bag). At Dior, Chiuri combines feminism and fashion, collaborating with daredevil female Mexican rodeo riders and avant-garde choreographers for buzzy runway shows. She famously brought back Dior’s iconic saddlebag and created slogan tees featuring quotes by feminist thinkers. Since Chiuri’s collections went on sale in 2017, Dior’s revenues have tripled. 

LEVEL 1, NORDSTROM WING
714.549.4700

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If we are going to challenge the patriarchy, women need to speak more about sisterhood and community. Real feminism is about women supporting each other.

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MARIA GRAZIA CHIURI IN THE GUARDIAN

Benedetta Petruzzo

MIU MIU
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

When Benedetta Petruzzo was hired as Miu Miu’s CEO in 2020, it was just weeks before Italy went into a full lockdown due to the Covid pandemic. She joined Miuccia Prada’s Italian label from Kering Eyewear’s US division where she served as the chief executive’s deputy. Petruzzo, who wore a Miu Miu blazer for her graduation from Milan’s Bocconi University in 2009, worked for the global management consulting firm Bain & Company before entering the world of luxury fashion. Long known as Prada’s “little sister,” Miu Miu has seen tremendous growth under Petruzzo’s leadership thanks in part to its coveted Wander bag and collab with New Balance.

LEVEL 2, Carousel Court
714.617.6927

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I don’t believe in being defined by other people’s opinions, conditioning or tags, I never did.

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BENEDETTA PETRUZZO IN FINANCIAL TIMES

Rosé

RIMOWA
Brand Ambassador

Born Roseanne Park in New Zealand to South Korean parents and raised in Australia, the mononymous Rosé of global girl group BLACKPINK is a force to be reckoned with. The K-pop singer, who also has a major solo career (she was the first artist to hit number one on a Billboard Global chart as a soloist and member of a group), is one of the world’s most watched people with 76 million followers on Instagram alone. Last fall, she was named a brand ambassador for RIMOWA, a perfect match for the always-traveling Rosé.

LEVEL 2, Carousel Court
714.662.6990

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I feel bold when I stand up for my own opinions. Whether it be a small decision or a big one that follows large responsibility. I think knowing how to stick up for yourself on a daily basis is definitely a definition for boldness.

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ROSÉ IN VOGUE FRANCE

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