Blog: International Womens’ Day: The women who inspire us

International Women’s Day takes place on 8 March. It’s a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, as well as marking a call to action for accelerating gender parity. To mark the day, we’ve caught up with some of our Thought team members to find out a little about the superwomen they admire. We asked about who their inspirational woman is, which women they’d love to have brunch with, what it means to work for a women-led brand like Thought and if they’d like to share a quote from a woman they really admire. 

 

Emma, Print Designer 

 

Inspirational woman… 

My Grandma has always been my inspiration. She never showed any prejudices or judgment towards anyone. Born in 1916, she was always a supporter of Amnesty International and often took in the homeless and gave them food and shelter. 

Brunch with… 

• Margaret Atwood 
• Laverne Cox 
• Princess Margaret
• Grace Jones 

We would start by discussing the future and our hopes, then hopefully after brunch continue on a lighter note with some style tips and celebrity gossip! 

What it means to work at Thought… 

Working for a sustainable fashion brand makes me feel I am playing a part (all be it small) in the huge journey we have in front of us to conserve our planet and make positive changes for the future. 

Inspirational quote… 

“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up.” Serena Williams 

 

Helen, Product Director 

 

Inspirational woman… 

My mum, she is simply amazing, coming from very little, that never held her back to achieve and provide and be the best mum, wife and prize-winning gardener. 

Brunch with… 

• Vivienne Westwood 
•  Oprah Winfrey 
• Trinny Woodhall 
•  Dolly Parton 
• Ruthie Rodgers 
• Dame Judi Dench 

We’d talk about “desert island” top 5 foods, 2 of life’s funniest moments, 2 of life’s highlights, 2 of life’s lows, advice to your 18-year-old self. 

What it means to work at Thought… 

It’s a real privilege to work for a brand and build a positive business that upholds ethics, sustainability, values women and men equally. We have a heart-felt team ethos to put the customer at the centre of what we do - be it in design or service. 

Inspirational quote… 

“If you only carry one thing throughout your entire life, let it be hope. Let it be hope that better things are always ahead. Let it be hope that you can get through even the toughest of times. Let it be hope that you can get through any challenge that comes your way. Let it be hope that you are exactly where you are meant to be right now, and that you are on the path to where you are meant to be… Because during these times, hope will be the very thing that carries you through.” Nikki Banas, Walk The Earth 

 

Bryony, Senior womenswear designer  

 

Inspirational woman… 

Anita Roddick. As a child, I had an illustrated book about her journey starting the Body Shop. To have the confidence to create something which at the time was totally out of odds with the skin and beauty industry and with real morals is something I really admire. Her ability to balance a successful business with real environmental and political activism was one of a kind.  

Brunch with… 

• Rachel Carson - a marine biologist who wrote Silent Spring in the 1960s, documenting the severe damage and impending danger to our natural habitat if we continued to indiscriminately use pesticides and agricultural chemicals. Its alarming that these are issues we still need to discuss within agriculture and the environment and the decline in birds and insects just in this country alone shocking. She was a real forerunner in a very male dominated industry and her book is still so relevant today. 
• Dr Hannah Fry. I love her podcasts and tv shows on science and modern inventions. She has done a few looking at positive solutions to climate change. And her Curious Cases podcast makes mathematics sound so interesting, even though I can’t understand 90% of what they are talking about! I am completely useless at maths, but if she was around when I was a teenager shining a light on some of the incredible possibilities within science, I might have paid a bit more attention in class! 
• Poppy Okotcha.  I came across her Instagram a few years ago just as I got in to gardening. She does brilliant tutorials on organic veg growing and introduced me to no dig gardening. 
• Kate Bush. Music has always been a huge inspiration to me, and wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for dancing to Kate Bush with all my friends! Imagine we will talk about all things environmental,  listen to some bonkers facts from Hannah Fry, then have a little dance around with Kate. 

Inspirational quote… 

 "Women are the real architects of society.” Cher 

 

Alice, Visual Merchandiser  

 

Inspirational woman… 

Artist Evelyn Bennett 

Evelyn was my  tutor/lecturer at university when studying Fashion Textiles: Print at UCA Rochester, who embraces individuality and femininity and expression of self through clothing, colour and print. She played a massive part in bringing joy into my life through decoration. She is the definition of ‘DOPAMINE dressing’. 

Brunch with… 

• Sophie Darlington - my friend and powerhouse woman! A wildlife Cinematographer 
• Alice Aedy 
• Zandra Rhodes 
• Florence Given 

We would talk about climate activism from a perspective that concentrates on women and marginalised genders affected by climate change, gender equality, sustainable fashion, confidence and self-expression! 

What it means to work at Thought… 

“ I’m proud to work alongside a team of women all making an effort to design beautiful clothes that are environmentally conscious; knowing they are designed to make you feel confident. The importance of inclusivity, ensuring clothes are made for all shapes and sizes. 

Inspirational quote… 

“The role of the artist is to make revolution irresistible.” Toni Cade Bambara 

 

Crystal, Buyer  

 

Inspirational woman… 

Grace Jones - what an incredible woman she is. She is ART! I love everything she stands for. I love how she challenges the norm and commands attention so effortlessly with her unique look. I really admire how she doesn’t fit into one box; from music to fashion she constantly evolved I’d like to take that essence and that confidence to be a bolder, brighter woman.   

Brunch with… 

• Shonda Rhimes. She is a phenomenal screen writer and author. The storytelling over a boozy brunch would be nothing short of entertaining and insightful.   
• Rihanna. As a fellow Bajan girl it would be pure banter, good vibes and top tips; top tip #1 being how to be a bad a****. I love how she created a magnificent empire within fashion, beauty and make up.   

• Sophia Amoruso. With her success from eBay to Nastygal to now being an Angel investor. It would be amazing to get top tips in navigating the business world as woman but also ensuring the work life balance – turns out women can have it all! 

What it means to work at Thought… 

I love working at Thought, it’s so inspiring working alongside such knowledgeable women who are fierce, fearless and fabulous! There’s never a dull moment at the Thought HQ. We are all passionate about fashion and truly consider what we are offering to our customers.   

Inspirational quote… 

 

“Keep your heels high and your standards higher.” - Person unknown