Happy International Women’s Day! This year marks the 112th celebration of this special day and showcases how much progress has been made for women’s rights, with many positive developments and changes.
This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity, which seeks to create an open dialogue about why “equal opportunities are no longer enough” and can be exclusionary rather than inclusive.
As a platform, we strive to create an inclusive and equitable community for women. In celebration of International Women’s Day, we spoke with a few of our most beloved designer friends – Peggy Hartanto, Wei-Lin of PH5, and Minju Kim.
As exceptionally creative women and founders of successful fashion brands, they have each graciously shared their journey to accepting and embodying equity, all the challenges they had to overcome in the fashion world, sharing their perspectives on the beauty and power of embracing equity for oneself, for their brand, and for our planet.
Peggy Hartanto (Of Peggy Hartanto)
1. What does #EmbraceEquity mean to you?
Acknowledging, accepting, valuing diversity, and taking action to ensure everyone has equal access to opportunity.
2. How has “equity” played its part in your life while navigating your brand to where it is today?
As we are working in the business of fashion for women, we recognise that naturally, women are born different, going through different stages in life, and need different kinds of “confident dressing.” Some are more confident in embracing the curves, some powered through in tailored jumpsuits, etc. There are different styles that we have prepared each season for the occasion dressings.
Even though our nature of business is ready-to-wear, we’re embracing the difference (e.g. in body shapes, skin tones, and different occasions) by providing options for our clientele. In our workplace, we believe only by embracing equity that we can attract and retain diverse talents throughout the stages in their lives (and we are grateful that some team members have been there since the beginning until now).
3. As a founder of your own brand, how are you embracing equity in your workplace?
We understand that the parameters of success and life/work goals are different for individuals; therefore, we are ensuring a safe workplace environment, and having several tools for our team (such as additional available resources, project opportunities, and options in choosing the working time whenever possible) to help them to identify their field of interest, to know themselves, then hopefully empower them to blossom, thrive, and reach their full potential.
4. What message would you like to give other women about #EmbraceEquity?
As women, we face unique and hugely varied challenges and barriers to thriving. But by embracing equity and working together, we can break down these barriers and create a more just and equitable world for ourselves. Let’s support, celebrate, and help each other!
Wei-Lin (Of PH5)
1. What does #EmbraceEquity mean to you?
Embrace equity is fairness in its absolute sense. It’s about recognising that we are different, embracing our differences, but at the same time, supporting each other to achieve our individual goals and dreams.
2. How has “equity” played its part in your life while navigating your brand to where it is today?
I’ve always been very aware that my brand is different, and I have always wanted to stay different. Not shying away from my differences, but not necessarily benefiting from these differences. I’ve always played along with “equity” and staying true to ourselves.
3. As a founder of your own brand, how are you embracing equity in your workplace?
I play with my own strengths and weaknesses. I try not to pretend to be good at everything. I try to recognise myself and my team and support each other with what we need the most instead of giving everybody the same thing.
4. What message would you like to give other women about #EmbraceEquity?
Embrace is a keyword. We embrace equity ourselves, surround ourselves with people that embrace it, and encourage others to embrace it.
View PH5 latest collections here.
Minju Kim (Of MINJUKIM)
1. What does #EmbraceEquity mean to you?
Our core belief at #EmbraceEquity is centred around promoting and guaranteeing equal opportunity, treatment, and representation for all individuals, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other distinguishing characteristic. Our vision is for a society that is both fair and inclusive, where everyone can achieve their full potential and live in a utopia of embracing equity.
2. How has “equity” played its part in your life while navigating your brand to where it is today?
Equity has become an indispensable element of the fashion industry, with a growing number of designers and brands striving to create more inclusive and diverse collections, campaigns, and events. By doing so, they are not only promoting equity but also meeting the increasing consumer demand for authenticity and representation. At MINJUKIM, we started with women’s clothing and are still committed to this cause.
3. As a founder of your own brand, how are you embracing equity in your workplace?
As a brand founder, embracing equity in the workplace comes in various forms. At MINJUKIM, we actively seek out and hire individuals from marginalised groups to create a diverse and inclusive team. We provide equal opportunities for career development and training to all employees, pay fair wages and benefits without any discrimination, and promote a culture of respect, tolerance, and open-mindedness by implementing policies against discrimination, harassment, and prejudice.
4. What message would you like to give other women about #EmbraceEquity?
To all the women around the world, I want to convey that #EmbraceEquity is not just a hashtag or slogan but a call to action to uphold our rights and those of others. We must demand equity and representation in all aspects of life, including the fashion industry. Doing so can create just and inclusive societies where everyone can thrive and achieve their aspirations.