International Women’s Day is on 8th March 2021 and in this latest guide, Luxuriate Life is highlighting and supporting women committed to making their mark in business. Read on to discover the stories of those making a positive difference with inspiring products and services.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: WOMEN IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY
Goat Fashion
A truly British brand, Goat is synonymous with understated luxury. Jane Lewis’ label began in 2001 as a cashmere range for the fashion cognoscenti and has since developed into a full ready-to-wear collection. Self-made Jane believes that her absence of formal fashion training has enabled her to learn through sheer grit and life experience. Previously working on Elspeth Gibson’s elegant evening wear, Jane shifted her attention to something every woman needs: a working wardrobe. Our hand-picked favourites include the stylish cropped Lauren boxy jacket complemented by the Lily A-line skirt in the same pale blue with asymmetric lines and matched gold-rimmed buttons. Goat clothing is created for real women who want to look and feel their best without fuss or ostentation. Unsurprisingly, the discreet celebrity following epitomises the modern successful woman: hard working, effortlessly stylish. Victoria Beckham, Lana del Rey, Gwyneth Paltrow and The Duchess of Cambridge are among the brand’s quiet celebrity clientele.
goatfashion.com
Price | £650 (Lauren crop jacket) and £480 (Lily skirt)
Jess Collett Mink Hometown Trilby
What better way to raise your hat to women on International Women’s Day than with an exquisite piece of millinery from JCM, Jess Collet’s Millinery collection? Having started her business over 25 years ago, Jess is a member of the British Hat Guild – the national association of professional milliners. From her Notting Hill studio, Jess has been a couture milliner to rock stars and royalty including Pippa Middleton, Helena Bonham Carter, Madonna, Jane Fonda, Rita Ora, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, to name a few. Offering a bespoke service as well as occasion pieces for Ascot and the social summer season, we really like the casual colourful felt trilbies for every day. They are hand finished with fun contrasting ribbons and adjustable band inside for the perfect fit, her versatile and effortlessly stylish hats are an essential for every woman’s wardrobe and passport for an adventure.
jesscollettmilliner.com
Price | £180
Alison Van Der Lande
What do you do when you can’t find that dream bag? You design your own, which is exactly what British fashion designer Alison Van Der Lande did. Launching her first collection in 2004, Alison’s products were quickly snapped up by Selfridges and by 2007, her handbag ranges including the best-selling Daisy Doo were stocked by Harrods and Fortnum and Mason’s, with a healthy celebrity following from London to New York and Hollywood. Alison has also produced collections for Sandy Lane, One & Only hotels, Goodwood, Melissa Odabash and Warner Brothers. Today, her collection has increased twofold and we’re particularly loving the cashmere and Swarovski wraps available in an array of delicious colours suitable for all seasons; luxuriously soft 100% cashmere with a subtle shimmer will add a touch of glamour to any occasion.
alisonvanderlande.co.uk
Price | £135
Orelia Luxe Power Necklace
This International Women’s Day feel empowered wearing this Luxe Power necklace from Orelia. 18k gold plated, clean metal letter charms are attached to a thin and yet dainty 925 sterling silver-based chain necklace. Founded in 2008 by friends Collette and Louise, Orelia was born to create jewellery that was aspirational and still affordable, fashionable and current.
orelia.co.uk
Price | £70
Wear My Freedom
An International Women’s Day guide wouldn’t be complete without the “Wear My Freedom Bra.” This is a game-changing non wired, elegant and sophisticated bra for the large bust, created by Alex Pluthero. Offering genuine support and comfort, the Freedom Bra comes in black or clay, starting at D cup and going up to HH. Apart from the bra, we really like the collaboration with Free The Girls, so that you can donate your unwanted bras for women in developing countries via the pre-addressed mailbag inside the package – nice touch, Alex!
wearmyfreedom.com
Price | £55
Mahabis Curve animal print slippers
Take any woman in your life to the wild side with the Curve animal print design slippers. Mahabis have two special leather designs, inspired by Kenya’s majestic Maasai Mara National Park. The Talek leopard print edition is named after the river, while the special edition Rekero, a black and yellow spot design, takes its name from the safari lodge. Both styles feature a printed cowh ide upper with a Skien Black natural rubber sole. Using only EcoCert™ organic wool from Italy, Mahabis help regulate the temperature of your feet too.
mahabis.com
Price | £140
WOMEN IN THE DRINKS INDUSTRY
Mirabeau
Jeany Cronk is the co-founder of Mirabeau, the multi-award-winning rosé wine and gin brand established by the family who moved from England to the south of France to live out their dream of making the best Provence wine. We’re certainly dreaming of ‘Provence in a Glass’ with Mirabeau’s range of elegant rosé wines and their new pink gin, which is fragrant, fruity, crisp and so incredibly drinkable. Thank you, Jeany Cronk.
Available from waitrose.com
Price | £14.99
Hayman’s of London Gin
Miranda Hayman champions women in distilling and is the co-owner of award-winning Hayman’s of London, a fifth-generation family business since 1863. Using the same recipes developed 150 years ago, the finest botanicals and a traditional process has led to Hayman’s being repeatedly voted as “London’s Favourite Gin Distillery” by Tripadvisor. Whilst maintaining the foundations of success, Miranda is a pioneer for the future gin generations.
haymansgin.com
Price | £26
Glenglassaugh Torfa
One of only a handful of female Master Blenders in a male dominated environment, Dr Rachel Barrie is creating some of the world’s finest Single Malt Scotch whiskies. Nicknamed the ‘First Lady of Scotch Whisky,’ Rachel is the Master Blender for the prestigious The GlenDronach, BenRiach and Glenglassaugh distilleries. We particularly enjoy the Glenglassaugh Torfa – it’s heady yet elegant and produced in limited quantities. This is a great introduction to peated whisky for those wanting a taste of smoky with sweet spice fruit goodness.
thewhiskyexchange.com
Price | £44.25
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: WOMEN IN THE LIFESTYLE INDUSTRY
The Annam House Lotus Silk Dress
Dedicated to Indochina-inspired design, last year Tiffanie Pham established homeware and lifestyle boutique, The Annam House. This Vietnamese born designer moved to London a decade ago with a vision for a curated collection of home and lifestyle products created by skilled artisans. Driven by her love of textiles and heritage design techniques, London College of Fashion graduate Tiffanie creates products that nurture the body and soul, create a sense of calm, and make the home a brighter space. Tiffanie’s diverse collection of handmade and embroidered fashion includes the Lotus dress – a maxi style, cut from lustrous high-quality silk that effortlessly drapes from the neckline down to the floor. Exaggerated sleeves flow gently in the air and you can abandon sparkly accessories because this dress does all the talking. An interpretation of South-East Asian culture, this contemporary nightwear doubles as exotic loungewear.
theannamhouse.com
Price | £95
Inua Vase by Candice Wu
An amazing artist and designer with a great story, Candice Wu blows hot glass from a West Sussex glass studio. Born in Singapore, Candice is Australian of Chinese descent, and it was loyalty to her family that shaped Candice’s decision to move to London in 2005, undertaking a MSc in Shipping, Trade and Finance. With a view to taking over her father’s business, instead Candice stayed on working as a shipbroker. Seeking a creative outlet, she fell in love from the moment she tried glass blowing, and ten years later, quit the corporate world to pursue the craft full time. Influenced by the Japanese philosophy of Yo-no-bi, Candice believes in elevating simple everyday objects. We adore the “Inua” vase, which is named after a mythological Inuit – a spirit or soul that exists in all people, animals, lakes, mountains, and plants. The designer’s philosophy is that by investing in things that bring us joy, so we get back what we give.
glasscandydesign.com
Price | varies
OYOY Living Design
Named after the signature OY letters found on Danish planes and influenced by traditional Danish design, interior brand OYOY’s founder, Lotte Fynboe, is totally inspired by heritage as well as her childhood memories. Her designs are classic, functional and long lasting with alluring colour combinations for modern families re-calling early memories and creating new ones. This can be seen in the Inka Kana Pot, which is simple and minimalistic, but modern with decorative handles. We’re already fans of this strong design brand offering home accessories for children and adults.
oyoylivingdesign.co.uk
Price | £41
Stone & Mason
Mother Daughter team, Holly and Susan Stille have launched a new luxury contemporary accessories brand that combines the playful and the practical. A carefully curated collection of handbags, travel cases, on-the-go kits and tongue-in-cheek jewellery – their designs strike a balance of elegance and edge. Each bag contains an ‘kit’ ensuring you never forget something in the rush of a hasty bag-switch.
The Travel Cases are inspired, all you need contained in beautifully classic design. Each is filled with essentials, and beauty & Bath miniatures so you don’t even need to think about repacking your creams & lotions into 100ml bottles. Susan and Holly came up with the ‘kit’ concept to create a cross-generational female-focused brand that encompassed style, functionality, design and high quality materials. They created the products to ensure they are of the best quality and suitable for all skin types, vegan of course too.
stone-and-mason.com
Travel cases from £195
Bunches
Life is all about meaningful moments and Bunches delivers smiles in abundance. This female-run flower and plant delivery service was established in 1989 under an umbrella at the market in Mansfield. Since taking over the family business in 2006, Dani has nurtured and grown the company into an award-winning floristry who embrace a plastic-free environment with a range of letterbox flowers and give at least 10% of profits to charity.
bunches.co.uk
Price | varies
BISSELL MultiReach Active 21V Tangle Free Cordless Vacuum
Bissell have kept homes clean for nearly 150 years thanks to the first female CEO in the USA, Anna Bissell, who in 1889 took over the company from her late husband. Today the business is still family-owned and since its conception has embraced and invented new technologies to make daily chores easier. This includes products like the CrossWave Cordless Max, a 3-in-1 multi-surface cleaner which vacuums, mops and dries simultaneously, and the latest MultiReach Active 21V Tangle Free Cordless Vacuum. lightweight, easy to store and lasts for up to 30 minutes of hard cleaning, it’s the perfect cordless stick for busy households.
From bisselldirect.co.uk and other major electrical retailers
Price | £199.99
Art House London
There is nothing more appealing than to walk into a house that smells fantastic, and for that we thank the women who create these magical scents that tantalise all of our senses. The brainchild of Australian born Rosemary McGrath, Art House London creates scented diffusers, candles, pillow sprays and lotions with the aim of turning our homes into our sanctuaries.
arthouselondon.com
Price | from £13
Marokka Candles x Half-cut Candles
Candles and wine? How divine. Marokka has partnered with Half-cut Candles, a business that upcycles wine bottles from vineyards in the South East of England. Proudly owned by Charlotte Clout, Marokka is a London design house creating modern and geometric sculptures. 20 years of experience in the financial sector saw Charlotte become MD at Morgan Stanley in her early 30s before going on to lead two tech companies to acquisition status. Seeking a better work/ life balance, Charlotte set up Marokka – providing luxury and quality while supporting sustainable solutions. An active animal and conservation supporter, Charlotte’s collection features Gus the Gorilla and Ava the Cheetah amongst other characterful animals. The woodland fragrance of Gus takes you to a forest of evergreens with fresh fir needles falling among aromatic white cedar and musk, with a whisper of citrus. 10% from the sale of all Marokka products goes to the Dogs On The Street charity.
marokka.com
Price| £55
Saalt
Say goodbye to tampons and hello to Saalt Cups. In a new era of menstrual care, Saalt makes sustainable reusable period cups that give twelve hours of protection, are chemical- and toxin-free and made from super soft silicone. Saalt is also certified B Corp and commit 2% of their revenue to helping fund initiatives in menstrual care, education and sustainability around the world. Last year, co-founder and CEO Cherie Hoeger expanded Saalt’s donation programmes into twenty-two countries. This included building three school latrines serving hundreds of students in rural Uganda and awarding forty scholarships for students in Africa and Asia through their Back to School for Her Too campaign.
saaltco.uk
Price | £25
WOMEN IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY
Ruth Hansom at Home
Previously chef at The Ritz, and the youngest female chef to win Young Chef of the Year, Ruth has launched Ruth Hansom at Home whilst not being able to perform her head chef role at the legendary Princess of Shoreditch gastropub. She offers a weekly changing menu of British delicacies that can be delivered nationwide and she will also welcome requests for bespoke meal kits, too. We were lucky enough to try The Blowout, which is one of every item on the week’s menu. I think we will return for another blowout next week!
hansomathome.co.uk
Price | From £4.50 – £66.00
Dipna Anand, The Brilliant
The UK’s Queen of Curry, Dipna Anand is renowned for her Punjabi-style cooking at The Brilliant in Southall. Dipna’s family restaurant has finally launched its home-made Garam Masala spice blend to the masses. Made using fifteen natural spices, the family’s 60-year-old secret recipe will totally transform your attempts to recreate Indian style restaurant quality food at home.
brilliantrestaurant.com
Price | £7.99
Doughlicious
Bringing the US gourmet cookie trend to the UK, Doughlicious is founded by American-born mumpreneur, Kathryn Bricken, who has always had a passion for baking as a way of bringing people together and making magical memories. After moving to London, Kathryn became famous amongst her friends for baking the best American-style cookies. Often asked to make extra dough so that her friends could bake cookies at home, by 2014, Kathryn decided to share her secret with the rest of the UK, and Doughlicious was born. The ready-to-bake cookie dough is perfectly portioned so you can make one cookie or six, and the entire range makes your kitchen smell irresistible. For a taste of the best of both worlds, the Chocolate & Vanilla flavour is a beautifully balanced cookie of the finest Belgian dark chocolate combined with sweet vanilla. Every cookie dough flavour is 100% gluten-free and there are also dairy-free, organic and vegan options.
doughlicious.co.uk
Price | £3.99 per box of 6
Squirrel Sisters
Sister duo Gracie and Sophie are revolutionising the snacking industry, claiming to be the only brand in the UK with a whole range of snacks that have no added sugar. Not only are their snacks and bars incredibly tasty, but they’re also gluten-free and healthier for you, too. We love the guilt-free pleasure of eating Squirrel Sisters Cacao Orange Brownie Bars, which are easily available to buy from major retailers including Holland and Barrett, and have now launched into Sainsbury’s.
hollandandbarrett.com
Price | £1.79
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: WOMEN IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY
Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum
Working at the family wine business inspired April Gargiulo to apply similar world class standards to skincare, and in 2012, in California’s Napa Valley, she set about creating a skin transforming product to deliver incredible, multi-correctional results for all skin types. After two years of meticulous research and development, the Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum was born. This powerful, multi-correctional face oil is infused with twenty-two of the world’s most nutrient-rich botanicals. At the serum’s heart, the Phyto Radiance Infusion is a potent concentration to renew, repair, protect and tone the skin. Cold-pressed botanical oils and essential oils of the highest-grade are added to further amplify the performance of Active Botanical Serum. Replacing several standard skincare steps, just a few drops of April’s liquid gold deliver visible radiance, clarity and brightness. 2% of every purchase is donated to charities dedicated to protecting, educating and empowering women and children around the world.
net-a-porter.com
Price | £175
Elixseri Serums
Three cosmetics industry experts – Faiza, Alicia and Maria – founded Elixseri high performance serums in their quest to create amazing products using green biotech. The brand founders wanted to find the answer to different female needs and deliver products that real women would want to use. Faiza Cochrane, who is based in London and looks after the brand’s marketing, knows how to see through any marketing hype. Her job is to think of the customer, all day, and every day. So, while the products are developed by the brightest brains and are technically very complex, she promises that the Elixseri message is simple and easy to follow. We recommend the Overnight Resurfacing Skin Renewal Treatment – which does exactly as described. No ridiculous claims, no fancy scary science. Just pure, potent, powerful and ethical products that do no harm to you or our planet but are easy to use and make you look and feel better.
elixseri.co.uk
Price | £76
Nourished
The world’s first truly customisable 3D printed nutritional product, Nourished is a personalised chewable vitamin stack tailored specifically to an individual’s dietary needs. Created and designed by Melissa Snover specifically for the health-conscious among us, the serial entrepreneur first piloted her idea and concept on BBC’s Dragon’s Den. Using a revolutionary new 3D printing method and patented vegan encapsulation formula to combine seven active ingredients – out of a choice of twenty-eight – Nourished has become the UK’s highest rated vitamin. Each blend is made to order before being 3D printed on-demand in convenient and tasty stacks, which are less costly and less wasteful than purchasing individual vitamins and supplements separately. Listen out for Melissa’s name in food tech – she took home the Supreme Champion Award at the Future Food Awards 2019 and is also winner of the Innovator Award at the Women in Tech Awards 2019.
get-nourished.com
Price| £39.99
WholyMe
Armed with Celine’s expertise in genetics and fuelled by her desire to give everyone the tools to maximise their wellbeing, Celine and business partner Quitterie embarked on a journey to make the healthiest, highest quality soothing products for everyday stresses, aches and pains. Celine started formulating natural products when she witnessed just how seriously her own mother’s stressful lifestyle impacted her health. In Autumn of last year, Celine and Quitterie launched WholyMe to combat the impact of modern lifestyle’s constant pressure on both body and mind. WholyMe’s mission is to revolutionise our approach to wellbeing by offering highly effective, all natural and organic products into our routines.
wholyme.com
Price | From £14
Face Matters
Sally Curson, founder and producer of Face Matters skincare, is the epitome of endeavour winning over strife. Suffering from rosacea and sensitive skin, Sally set out to develop her own products to help alleviate these conditions, which naturally help all skin types. She has overcome many traumas to launch this award-winning skin care brand and develop a successful aesthetic treatment studio. Face Matters skin care consists of the most essential elements; cleansing and nourishing. Using only organic plant-based ingredients, the Face Off Cleanser, All About Face Balm and Face Food serum can take pride of place in your skin care routine.
facemattersskincare.com
Price | from £25
Transformulas
Often the thought of cosmetic surgery to delay the natural ageing process is incredibly tempting, and we do like to try non-invasive ways to enhance our beauty before taking the plunge. UK skincare brand Transformulas® by beauty entrepreneur Rosi Chapman specialises in products without surgery. Named as “A Face Lift in a Jar” and “Better than a Knife”, their products are similar to those of a cosmetic dermatologist, but without the need for invasive procedures. Their cult Marine Miracle Crème which uses the natural healing benefits of sea marine and the Marine Miracle Eyezone multi action eye complex both receive glowing reviews from fans all over the world who want longer term de-ageing skincare results. Buy the Marine Miracle Duo package saving £34 to spend on the Flawless Eye Retouch Anti-Ageing Concealer.
transformulas.com
Price | £69
All imagery courtesy of the brands featured. Featured image courtesy of Candice Wu.