Women in Design

In honour of International Women’s Day this year, we are celebrating some of the fantastic female creatives that make up the DesignLSM team.

They share with us their inspirations, challenges and what IWD means to them as a strong woman working within a creative industry.

Who was your biggest female inspiration growing up?

When I was young, surprisingly Ginger Spice was my biggest inspiration! She made me feel like it was okay to be a redhead, and even be called “ginger” and I idolised her completely. She, along with my mum (another female inspiration) gave me confidence about my hair colour, and growing up that helped!

Which powerful women icons do you admire today?

As a huge Harry Potter fan I admire JK Rowling, and I have done for most of my life. She brilliantly created a world which has given enjoyment to me and to so many other people and her stories have strong and intelligent female characters in them. She has enriched my life and I love her for it.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It is a celebration of all the amazing and strong women in my life. I am lucky to have grown up with so many inspirational women in my family and I am proud of my female friends, including my sister, and of what they have achieved. For me it is not a day to put down men (because there are so many inspirational men in my life too!), rather to be proud of being a woman.

Who was your biggest female inspiration growing up?

Growing up, I spent a lot of time absorbed in books and my favourite literary characters really helped shape my understanding of the world and my place in it. Anne from Anne of Green Gables, Lizzie from Pride and Prejudice, and Hermione from Harry Potter were all strong, smart, gritty women, determined to carve their own path in life, and always prepared to stand up for what they believed in. These characters were an ongoing source of inspiration as they taught me that it was okay to be a confident, opinionated woman while growing up in a world that encouraged girls to be polite and gentle.

Which powerful women icons do you admire today?

As an adult, I admire people like Mari Andrews and Dolly Alderton, who are women in their twenties, openly sharing their stories and giving an honest, brave portrayal of what it’s like to be a woman right now. They share their up’s and down’s, successes and failures, and they tell the awkward, uncomfortable stories that we can all relate to. In a society where so many topics are still considered taboo, it’s so important to have strong role models who aren’t afraid to speak up and put themselves out there with unapologetic honesty.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

To me, IWD is a time to celebrate the achievements of women around the world and to recognise how far we’ve come along the path towards equality, but also to acknowledge all the work that still needs to be done to realise this goal and to encourage candid conversations about the issues that women are facing. The events of the past year have been pretty extraordinary in terms of generating global conversations, with movements like #metoo elevating awareness and creating opportunities for women to share their voices and to start a dialogue. The fight for gender parity is ongoing, but events like IWD represent a positive step forwards.

Who was your biggest female inspiration growing up?

Anita Roddick – a woman who built an International brand, achieving great commercial success all whilst staying true to, and communicating, her ethical values. Throughout her time at The Body Shop she continued to champion key political, environmental and social topics; bringing to the forefront issues such as Animal Rights, Fair Trade through their supply chain and female self-esteem through the ‘Ruby’ campaign. This brought an awareness to issues that I, as a child and young teenager, would not necessarily have been as aware of if it were not on the ‘high street’ – helping to shape a morale consciousness and start a dialogue.

How do you balance a career and motherhood?

Strive for balance – this is not always achievable but is the aim! Giving myself time to enjoy and be absorbed in both roles. I think it is important, as a mother of two young daughters for them to see me have a sense of fulfilment and achieve in my career, to help them understand that I embrace many roles as a woman, including that as of mother. For them to view through my example, and other women, that they have a freedom in their own career path.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day provides a light on many social and ethical issues that are important for all generations and genders to comprehend.  There are great strives being made to achieve gender parity but it is important to keep moving this forward, to challenge, to resolve and to celebrate.

Who was your biggest female inspiration growing up?

That’s a no brainer, my Mum. As long as I showed commitment to something she supported me.

How do you balance a career and motherhood?

As a single and working mum I have to make sure that I have good childcare and activities organised for my son. I have to take multi-tasking to another level. Other basics like list writing and getting enough sleep. Also it helps a great deal to be working with such an amazing and talented team.

Which powerful women icons do you admire today?

Vivienne Westwood for following her creative passion and sticking two fingers up to convention. I can’t deny my Lauren Laverne girl crush. She proves you can have a successful career in the entertainment industry but still show kindness, compassion and be creative and funny.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

A day where women from all walks of life are recognised for their achievements both big and small.