Celebrating Women’s History Month

March 29, 2023

Women are the glue that holds our world together — each woman and their contribution sets the foundation for who we are as a society. Every person has a mother, and with that, a woman who paved the way for each of us to flourish. We need not national declarations, special occasions, or government-mandated days to celebrate women, as our very existence is inevitably intertwined with the fabric of life itself, but it only makes sense that time be set aside to honor all women.

Since the start of March, office spent the month looking far and wide for amazing creators and founders — from the sunny coast of West Australia to Pakistan — to celebrate. Read their stories and connect with them the way we did.

Text by Kayla Curtis-Evans
Cover Photo by Myesha Evon Gardner
All Other Photos Courtesy of Each Respective Creator

Myesha Evon Gardner

Myesha Evon Gardner is a photographer who explores the multiplicities of the female experience in her intimate works. On the legacy she is creating, she says, “I think that I inspire other women by just showing up and being myself while creating and holding space for them as well.” Her recent project was part of the latest installment of Creator Labs, a visual experience in partnership with Google Pixel and SN37 that aims to uplift emerging artists and showcase their moving works. Myesha’s photos showcased in Creator Labs: Season 7 show off common female archetypes and challenge the stereotypes many women are expected to uphold. “I love to portray women in a uniquely positive light while remaining unapologetic about who they are. My mother, my grandmother, my spiritual mother, my teachers, and my tribe, which includes my five sisters, all empower me in individual ways,” Gardner says.

I love to portray women in a uniquely positive light while remaining unapologetic about who they are.

Desyree Nicole and Gabriella Paulino of Todd Patrick and Elyse Candles

What better way to close out our list than with a two-for-one feature? Nicole and Paulino are not only partners in business, both overseeing luxury menswear brand Todd Patrick, but they are partners in life who bring out the best in each other. Nicole founded Todd Patrick in 2016 with the goal of blending high-end luxury techniques with a more approachable sense of street style. She had no formal background in fashion, but her authentic grit, passion for expressing herself freely, and support from Paulino allowed their relationship and passion project to thrive. When asked how the two set forth a beacon for other women in the industry, Nicole answers, “By living in that truth. A women-owned brand that makes menswear at that. I think we lead by example letting people know that we too, can create for the opposite gender at a high level. Women are BOSSES, women are where the cultivation begins, and the more women realize that — they can do it too! It will be a beautiful shift that occurs within our societal structure.”

We lead by example letting people know that we too, can create for the opposite gender at a high level.

Francesca Monaco of THEMOIRè

THEMOIRè’s co-founder, Francesca, believes in a world where beauty and ethics coexist harmoniously. The Milan-based accessory brand is informed by innovation (employing eco-fabrics such as apple-waste leather or recycled cotton) and conservation. “One of our messages is that every small step can make a difference, and this is what we want to share,” Monaco expresses. All bag linings are made of repurposed plastic bottles and fishing nets, inspiring their wearers to live consciously — each carefully crafted, statement bag being a reminder of our responsibility. “I’d like to think that there is nothing more important than being happy with yourself, doing what you love, and always pursuing what you believe in,” Monaco continues, “There are a lot of women who are great examples of this to me: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is an example of what bold, substantial leadership looks like for women’s rights. Then my mother, who taught me how equality must be pursued at any cost from day one, and, last but not least, Sara Maino, a pillar of the fashion industry who has always used her voice to support the new generations and emerging brands.”

One of our messages is that every small step can make a difference, and this is what we want to share.

Gabrielle La Mura of W 78 ST

W 78 ST is a hand-crafted accessory company based out of Los Angeles, which has gained the attention of Emma Chamberlain, Richie Shazam, and more. The brand’s founder, Gabrielle, concocts each piece from upcycled leather and sustainable resources. “Encouraging women, whether it’s reposting their business on Instagram, being there for them as a friend, sharing knowledge, sharing opportunities, and believing in them is so incredibly important. Those little things may seem like they are small, but they keep someone excited to continue to push themselves to take on their passion,” she shares. The label recently released the Corbielle, inspired by Jane Birkin’s infamous wicker basket. What started as a test clay sculpture by La Mura facilitated a convertible bag allowing different colors and leathers to be mixed and matched, emphasizing circular wear and encouraging longevity in the wearer’s closets. “Quality and sustainability are something I constantly consider and keep at the forefront,” La Mura elaborates.

I hope the pursuit of beauty can always inspire new generations.

Hirra Babar of WARP

Diverging from traditional design standards, founder Babar paves her own path in the leather goods industry with WARP. “While things have evolved a lot in the past, we still see gender disparity when it comes to women working in the leather industry in Pakistan, especially when it comes to running their own businesses,” she shares. Placing a spotlight on Lahore, a culturally-enriched city in Pakistan, the brand proves that high-quality pieces have no spatial boundaries. Many Pakistani women are expert artisans and WARP amplifies their talent and voices by collaborating with local women to create one-of-a-kind accessories. Each bag shows off avant-garde geometric leather stitching patterns, and many feature upcycled materials, from plastic to wooden fibers. “By keeping a women-dominant workplace I believe we have encouraged women to understand that if you don’t get a seat at the table, you can build your own table. I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by loving and strong women from the start, including our brand’s sales representative agency owner Amal Sultan, our stylist Mehek Saeed, and the rest of our amazing team,” says Babar.

I believe we have encouraged women to understand that if you don’t get a seat at the table, you can build your own table.

Lucia Caponi of Loretta Caponi

Loretta Caponi was an Italian embroidery master, born in 1924. Originally picking up the craft to help support her family, she paved the way for decades of artisans to come. By the ripe age of fourteen, she commissioned her first work and began taking orders for frocks, nightgowns, and silk slips, disseminating her talent. Now, over fifty years later, her delicate linen clothing, illuminated by vivid patterns, has traveled from Paris to the azure coasts of tropical destinations. Caponi’s family and daughter, Lucia, continue her heritage still today. “I hope the pursuit of beauty can always inspire new generations. Quoting Dostoevsky, ‘Beauty will save the world,’” Lucia Caponi says. On the journey her mother pioneered for her, she shares, “[My mother was] a woman far ahead of her time. A gentle soul with an extremely strong character. A humble but incredibly determined woman with an insatiable thirst for discovery and the curiosity of a child.”

Encouraging women, whether it’s reposting their business on Instagram, being there for them as a friend, sharing knowledge, sharing opportunities, and believing in them, is so incredibly important.

Nina Khosla of FFORME

FFORME is for those who admire the elegant simplicities in life. On FFORME’s ethos, Khosla says, “To divorce ourselves from flash and celebrity culture, we need to remind women that there is something to be said for the return to something so pure — a reminder that substance and quality, in and of themselves, are worth celebrating.” The ready-to-wear label boasts collections of structured outerwear, simple tailored sets, and luxurious knits made to endure the tests of time. As far as women who uplifted Khosla, she points to, “My mother, who I have a deep appreciation for. Being a child of immigrants, it’s hard to forget how she left her own mother and her own life to create a new one for me that allowed me to do this.”

To divorce ourselves from flash and celebrity culture, we need to remind women that there is something to be said for the return to something so pure.

Olivia von Halle of Olivia von Halle

After studying Fashion and Textiles, Olivia von Halle began trailblazing in her career as a trend forecaster and luxury brand consultant, working with brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and more. “I’ve always been a strong believer in following your gut instinct and I think that’s what brought me where I am today,” she shares. When von Halle wasn’t working, she was attending opulent events and galas — each time returning home wishing for the ideal pajamas to slink into. She began concocting the perfect pair of silk pajamas, inspired by Coco Chanel’s elegance, and it wasn’t long before her eponymous brand was born. On women who inspire her, she shares, “Coco is the woman who first wore pajama-style trousers outside of the bedroom in the 1920s. I think there’s something about her and that overall roaring twenties vibe that I adore. Another woman that I always look up to is Amanda Feilding — she’s known as the ‘hidden hand’ behind the renaissance of psychedelic science and has been a brave and outspoken advocate in this field. She is my muse every day.”

I’ve always been a strong believer in following your gut instinct and I think that’s what brought me where I am today.

Paule Tenaillon and Marine Braquet of Nomasei

Inspired by strong, empowered women, co-founders Paule Tenaillon and Marine Braquet started Nomasei as a love letter to the heritage and the landscape of Italy. The two met after working for major houses Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy (to name a few) — but they were both dissatisfied with the standards of the mainstream fashion industry. Nomasei incorporates slow production and ethical materials, refuting the fast-paced tendencies of the industry as we know it today. The brand’s recent loafer collab with Julia von Boehm emphasizes upcycled leather scraps and lead-free Bohemia crystals. When they think back to the women who informed their paths, they cited, “Our mothers, sisters, friends, and each other — we definitely paved the way for, and to each other! All the badass women in our lives, definitely inspire us, as well as Simone de Beauvoir, Colette, Gisele Halim, and Angela Davis.”

Our mothers, sisters, friends, and each other — we definitely paved the way for and to each other!

Poppy Lissiman of Poppy Lissiman

Poppy Lissiman is a West Australian-based designer who creates head-turning cruelty-free accessories. Her designs have been embraced by the likes of Justin Bieber, Bella Hadid, Billie Eilish, and more, but what really makes her brand shine is her reliance on creating 100 percent animal-free pieces. “As women, we are in a new age and there’s never been a better time to go after whatever path it is you want to forge. I have an incredible group of friends and colleagues who have been in my life for well over two decades — as well as my Mum!” Lissiman expresses.

As women, we are in a new age and there’s never been a better time to go after whatever path it is you want to forge.

Seulye Jo of CLED

CLED is derived directly from the word upcycled, as repurposing materials and breathing new life into discarded resources is at the heart of the jewelry brand’s mission. Seulye Jo founded the Los Angeles-based brand in 2018 with a desire to spread education about metal and glass waste and to show consumers that one man’s trash could be reimagined into something beautiful. “My constant reminder for myself is that there is no limit. Don't be afraid to try something new. Your experience or path will be different from others, but your unique idea can bring positive change in your life,” Jo reflects. Each of CLED’s unique pieces incorporate “eco-gems” crafted from discarded glass bottles, as she highly values the creative outlook of transforming waste to treasure. “My grandmother has been my inspiration from the beginning. Other women I've been influenced by are Stella McCartney and Eileen Fisher. I aspire to become like these women who had the vision to make sustainable fashion be in the mainstream,” she adds.

My constant reminder for myself is that there is no limit. Don't be afraid to try something new.

Sofía Sanchez de Betak of CHUFY

Sofía Sanchez de Betak, also known as “Chufy,” lives a colorful life, inspiring others to shed their inhibitions and parade their kaleidoscopic personalities with conviction. “So many women have inspired me. The idea that I could pass that on and inspire someone else is a tremendous honor for me,” she reflects. Splitting her time in New York, Paris, and Mallorca, Chufy soaks up her surroundings, channeling the vibrant energy into her passions. She has published a book titled, “Travels with Chufy,” and created her own ready-to-wear fashion brand which pieces together mementos from her life through hand-painted designs and circular materials. On who brought color into her life, she states, “My mother is my biggest supporter. Her belief is like an anchor. My first boss in NYC gave me a lot of confidence in myself. And, myself. I back myself. I've had a lot of inspiration and help, but ultimately, I got myself here. Without loving myself, that wouldn't have been possible.”

I've had a lot of inspiration and help, but ultimately, I got myself here. Without loving myself, that wouldn't have been possible.

Culture

The Club Is Coming to the Stage

We enter and make our way to what is approximately front left of the DJ booth, where we’re accustomed to dancing at clubs in New York. “So is this a techno club or a dance performance?” yells an uncertain participant in my boyfriend’s ear. He laughs, bouncing along to Ben UFO, and yells back, “It’s both!” The club has long been a hot topic in European contemporary dance but it is only now making its way into New York performance venues, largely through transatlantic tours. R.O.S.E. follows recent examples like Michele Rizzo’s HIGHER xtn. at MoMA PS1 (May 2024), (LA)HORDE’s Room with a View at NYU Skirball (October 2023), and Gisèle Vienne’s Crowd at BAM (October 2022).

Do these performances compromise the club’s spirit — a space idealized for its anonymity, dark lighting, and thundering music? The notion of the club as a utopian escape is admittedly just that — an ideal — because of how its intense conditions can create barriers to entry. Still, the club remains sacred for many, a place to forge connections and embrace an alternative state of being. Looking at how performances transfer this spirit to new settings reveals what aspects of the club are essential and those that aren’t.

Sharon Eyal, R.O.S.E. 2024. Photography by Stephanie Berger, courtesy of Park Avenue Armory.

Eyal’s dancers make their entrance. The lighting shifts from roving blue to yellow spotlights as Ben UFO’s tracks transition to more melodic beats. Clad in deconstructed lace Dior lingerie with dark red tears painted on their faces, the dancers move cautiously in a tightly maintained pack, slicing paths through the horde with hoof-like steps and jerky leg extensions. After around ten minutes of this controlled choreography, the dancers vanish as the lighting shifts back to blue and Ben UFO picks up his dubby beats. The club, as we knew it, resumes. This cycle of tightly executed movements and free-flowing club-goers repeats several times, each time emboldening the dancers to plunge further into the crowd.

Clubbing in a building once built for the U.S. Army National Guard on Manhattan’s Upper East Side turns out to be surprisingly successful — at least for the audience. What starts as an awkward, scattered group searching for their non existent seats gradually gels into an engaged, bouncing crowd that erupts in cheers each time the dancers enter and exit. Performance patrons who might never step foot in a club find themselves swept up in its potential for communion, moving in unison with fellow ticket holders. But it isn’t until the very end of R.O.S.E. that the dancers finally break free from Eyal’s choreography and join the fired-up audience in a brief moment of improvisatory movement with the music. By keeping her dancers at arm’s length, Eyal seems more interested in the club as a backdrop for her signature movement style than wholly as a space with meaningful stories to be told.

Michele Rizzo, HIGHER xtn. 2024. Photography by Cameron Kelly courtesy of MoMA PS1.

Back in May, I attended Wire Festival, a multiday electronic music event at Knockdown Center that had no shortage of organically united dancefloors. It attracted a crowd of seasoned ravers who were eager to celebrate the start of spring as they danced alongside DJs who played well into the daylight. I left Wire in an afternoon daze to see Michele Rizzo’s HIGHER xtn. at MoMA PS1. My sleepless euphoria only deepened as the performance unfolded, starting with a lone dancer who looked plucked out of the festival.

The dancer, dressed in sneakers, baggy jeans, and a tight tank top, shuffled slowly into the gallery, perfectly in sync with the looping bars of an understated electronic melody. Soon, other dancers, clad in the same staple rave uniform, joined him — each having traveled from Europe for the U.S. museum debut of HIGHER xtn., which premiered at the Stedelijk in Amsterdam in 2018 and quickly became a fixture at kunsthalles and festivals across the continent. As the score’s tempo climbed, the choreography locked into a 16-count sequence, which the dancers executed with precise synchrony. They remained intensely focused, never making eye contact with each other, as they sought release in the endless repetition of synthesized beats. Once the dancers reached their limit, they stopped the sequence and exited the gallery, one by one.

HIGHER xtn. used the focused daylight of the gallery to highlight the meditative release found in the repetitive movements that dominate dark dancefloors. The performance’s restraint brought more consistency and intentionality than Eyal’s all-encompassing club construction in R.O.S.E. Yet both performances offer enticing entry points into club culture for those who may not frequent raves. Rizzo’s ecstatic, hypnotic repetitions reveal how the club can mirror other meditative practices, while Eyal’s interpolation of performance and clubbing helped hesitant audience members blossom by the end. Still, both works overlook one of the most underappreciated aspects of clubbing — its potential for individual expression. HIGHER xtn.’s pristine uniformity especially risks promoting the outdated techno trope that there’s a “right” way to dance to electronic music.

Maybe this shortcoming is, in fact, a benefit. For habitual ravers jaded by one too many sunrise sets, it’s a reminder to return to the club with more intention. If you pause and peer through the darkness, you’ll see hundreds of people moving to the same beat, each with their own subtle variations. This collective choreography is a ready-made spectacle that doesn’t need validation in a theater or museum. And when the music shifts slightly, you can watch the ripple effect sweep through the crowd while feeling the new beat in your body. Maybe this small bit of magic is best left on the dance floor.

Culture

Real Slick, Jack: Psyche Organic Arrives in New York

Shop Psyche Organic at Happier Grocery and Dimes. Coming soon to @citarellagourmetmarket @unionmarket @gourmetgarage @deciccos @fairwaymarket plus many more.

Culture

Porsche SCOPES Brings Art, Music, and Design to Toronto

The festival was a full immersion into Toronto’s dynamic creative energy. Day one set the tone with DJ collective Living Room, followed by an experimental performance by Claire Rousay that captivated the crowd. Jewelry designer Steff Eleoff unveiled her Porsche Taycan 4S art car installation—a bold fusion of automotive and wearable art inspired by her Sedona ring—while OVO Sound’s Naomi Sharon and DVSN wrapped up the night with powerful, genre-defying performances.

We witnessed SCOPES Toronto bridging underground and mainstream with day two’s lineup. DJ Korea Town Acid’s set paved the way for Angelphroot and Dameer’s debut of BASSMATI, a track blending South Asian influences with bass-driven sounds. Chippy Nonstop’s return to Toronto and Richie Hawtin’s extended set were milestones of the evening, proving that the city’s underground scene has a global resonance.

The final day featured standout performances from local pianist Harrison, Indigenous artist Tia Wood, and hip-hop visionary Sean Leon, who elevated his set with a live choir. Moonshine Collective’s film and musical performance explored themes of African utopia, showcasing art’s power to bridge culture and technology. Rising Toronto star SadBoi, who paused her tour to perform at SCOPES, further underscored the festival’s commitment to nurturing local talent.

Throughout the weekend, we experienced installations from artists like Mitsu Mitsu and culinary creations from Bar Mordecai, capturing the multifaceted creativity Porsche SCOPES brought to Toronto. This milestone 10th edition, open to all, allowed Toronto’s vibrant arts scene to thrive, underscoring SCOPES’ mission to celebrate local talent while connecting it to a global audience.

office had the chance to connect with rising star SadBoi ahead of the event. In our conversation, she shared insights into her creative journey and reflected on what performing and growing up in Toronto means to her and her work.

How are you, and where are you at right now? You told me you were traveling.

Um, I’m good, I’m feeling really good right now. I’m traveling back to Salt Lake City. I had a show yesterday in Seattle. I’m on tour right now with Coco and Claire.

How is touring life treating you? Do you like it?

I love being on the road. To be honest, I feel like I don’t know—like I’ve had good experiences and bad ones—but this time it’s really fun, especially with the people I’m surrounded by. It’s also the longest tour I’ve been on; I have about four more weeks to go. I’m trying not to think about how many days I have left.

Do you feel homesick?

Yes, because when I start thinking about how many days are left, I start to miss my dogs. I’ve just been trying to stay in the moment—I don’t even know what day of the week it is, to be honest with you.

Oh, sweet! What are your dogs’ names?

Jillian and Winston. I know, they’re crazy names.

You’ll be performing at SCOPES in Toronto, which is where you grew up. Do you feel like the crowd is different when you perform in Toronto compared to other cities?

Yes, I mean, Toronto just feels different because it’s home. Every time I come back to perform, something in my career has changed. The last time I performed in Toronto, people just wanted to have a good time, and I’m excited to perform back home again to see everyone’s reactions. I know it’s going to be different from the last time. It’s exciting to see your own growth. Toronto is a tough crowd, though. If we’re with you, we’re really with you.

So, they’re super picky? You have to gain their respect, or what is it?

I think Toronto people are in their own world, but when something really connects with them, they’ll lose themselves in the moment. But it takes something to bring them out of that. Toronto crowds are tough because even if they like you, they won’t show it outright until they’re really vibing with you.

It’s like a vibe check, right?

Exactly. They’ll enjoy your performance, but it’s hard to explain. When people visit Toronto, they often say, “Oh, you guys are so nice,” and I’m like, “I don’t think we’re that nice, we’re just polite.” Like, you can walk down the street, and no one will say anything, but it’s just our mannerisms.

You mentioned Toronto can have a moody energy, especially at night, and that the underground night scene there really inspires you. Can you talk more about what makes Toronto's nightlife so influential for you?

Absolutely, Toronto has this unique energy that comes alive at night. Similar to New York, there are the popular clubs everyone knows, but you need to find your niche—the people who know where the real parties are. I remember going to raves in high school yards, sneaking in because I wasn’t old enough. Events like Baby, Jerk!, and Yes Yes Y’all were pivotal, exposing me to DJs blending dancehall with EDM—something I hadn’t seen before. Toronto nightlife is moody and intense, but when everyone’s out, it’s like the whole city is alive.