This article is part of our new editorial package, where we seek to answer the question: what would fashion look like if more women were in charge? Click here to read more.
Maternity, menopause, misogyny… all undeniable obstacles to a woman’s career advancement. But is the fashion industry as hard on women as we think? We felt the people who could really answer that question were fashion executives at the top of their game.
And while we were at it, we got some career advice too.
Marie-Claire Daveu, chief sustainability and institutional affairs officer, Kering
Photo: Courtesy of Kering
In my opinion, the fashion industry is advancing more rapidly than many other sectors. Taking Kering as an example, several female CEOs lead our houses. Personally, I haven’t encountered many obstacles in my career. Although I chose engineering studies, which were traditionally considered ‘male options’, the atmosphere was friendly and supportive. Several of my male peers have become close friends.
Early in your career, I believe that having a diverse network of support is crucial. Whether it’s a group of people or an individual acting as a mentor, finding a source of strength and inspiration is essential to advise you along the way.
What should we leave behind? Fear, for each of us. Bias against women, for all of us. While I’m not a strong advocate for quotas, there’s no denying that they can accelerate progress at certain points in the journey.
Halide Alagöz, chief product officer, Ralph Lauren
Photo: Courtesy of Ralph Lauren