SS-06: Beyond Dress Codes: Cultivating a Stylish Brand Identity for Trailblazing Women
This week, I showcase accomplished women who have crafted a professional style brand, garnering recognition and career success within their industry's dress codes.
Let’s begin by sharing some insights into the dress code in the corporate world today.
Dressing in the workplace is always in everyone's mind, and there is a duality in what to wear to be unique and to conform to the group. For fear of failure, most people choose to be safe and not to dress.
Today, the dress codes in the workplace are more permissive and tolerant, adding confusion on what is appropriate to wear and what is not.
More confusion adds when you mature; you can no longer wear what you used to in your 20s and still want to be seen as current.
Kirsten Green is the Founder and Managing Partner of Forerunner Ventures in San Francisco. She has led efforts to raise over $2B+ from leading institutional investors and invest in over 100 companies. She wears fashion-forward designer dresses and jackets, often in bright colors and prints, knowing she'll stand out in the sea of men wearing Patagonia vests. "I do that for myself good, feel good, appreciate style as fun."
Click here for an insightful interview and learn about this inspiring leader.
Kim Taylor, CEO of Cluster, wears bright red dresses and her long, straight black hair down past her shoulders. "I'm not going to show up at an event and dress like men in black, boxy suits. I'd rather be feminine and stand out," she says.
Kim Taylor is the Founder and CEO of Cluster, the first labor marketplace for companies to hire mechanical and electrical engineers. Cluster works with America's top OEMs, electric vehicle, aerospace, and hardware companies.
Mindy Grossman is the former CEO of WW International. In 2014 she was ranked #22 in Fortune's Top People in Business. Mindy embodies a new image of hyper-feminine power with her long blond hair, makeup, oversized jewelry, and distinct fashion choices.
She is one of the several female executives, along with Linda Yaccarino, CEO at X and previously NBCUniversal’s chairman of global advertising and partnerships, and long-time media veteran-turned-Spotify executive Dawn Ostoff, who are inspiring women to shed the muted suits in favor of the fitted, bright dresses and stylish leather jackets that pop both on TV and in real life.
Carla Harris is one of the most senior Black women in finance in the USA. She is Vice Chairman of Wealth Management and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley, and President Barack Obama appointed her to chair the National Women's Business Council. Dressed in suits adorned with colorful prints and her signature bold pearl earrings, Carla embodies a brand of confidence and individuality. Her story is a testament to the power of personal style, leaving an indelible mark on those who encounter her.
Ana Botin, ranked among Forbes' top 10 most powerful women globally, commands influence as the executive chairman of Santander Group since 2014. Her distinctive style blends the financial dress codes and her personality by infusing color into her wardrobe.
These colors seamlessly complement her innate palette, conveying an enduring elegance and vibrancy. Additionally, she consistently incorporates red, the signature color of the Santander brand, into her attire. Due to Ana's prominent visibility and influential standing, she prefers to wear Spanish fashion brands to champion their entry into the competitive fashion industry.
Last but certainly not least, we have Christine Lagarde. As the head of the IMF, the first woman to hold this position, and a former Minister of Finance in France, Christine Lagarde is one of the world's most influential leaders.
Renowned for her power dressing, she effortlessly balances an edge of elegant French style. Christine carefully curates her wardrobe with high-quality yet simple pieces that exude elegance and figure-flattery. She is known for her attention to detail and loves to wear scarves. They are part of her signature style brand.
Together, these women find joy in expressing their unique brand styles. They're smart, understanding the need to tackle tasks traditionally seen as masculine but doing so in a feminine way and their unique voice. This lets them be true to themselves and leaves a lasting impression that ensures people remember them. It's all about mastering your environment while creating a memorable brand.
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