Today, on March 8, we join the global chorus in celebrating International Women’s Day, during Women’s History Month! This isn’t just a day for flowers and compliments; it’s a time to recognize the immense contributions of women throughout history and across the globe. It’s a time to champion the ongoing fight for gender equality and to uplift the voices demanding change.
The origins of International Women’s Day trace back to the early 1900s, fueled by the burgeoning women’s rights movement. In 1908, over 15,000 women marched in New York City, demanding shorter work hours, better pay, and voting rights. The momentum continued, culminating in the first official International Women’s Day in 1911, marked by rallies and celebrations across Europe, and gaining recognition by the United Nations in 1975.
Fast forward to today, and International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month remain a powerful symbol of unity and progress. The fight for gender equality continues, but the landscape has undeniably shifted. Women are CEOs, entrepreneurs, scientists, artists — leaders in every field imaginable. And in the realm of fashion and beauty, female-founded brands are not just keeping up; they’re redefining the industry.
Keep scrolling to celebrate Women’s History Month all March long by shopping and supporting female-founded fashion and beauty brands that are paving the way.
Female-Founded Fashion Brands to Shop:
Petal + Pup
Founded by Tiffany Henry in 2014, Petal + Pup offers a range of trendy and feminine dresses, separates, and jumpsuits. The brand caters to an audience seeking stylish and affordable pieces, perfect for everyday wear or special occasions. Petal + Pup is known for its use of vibrant colors, bold prints, and flattering silhouettes.
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Bumpsuit
Founder and CEO Nicole Trunfio began her mission to redefine and modernize the maternity landscape while pregnant with her third child. Bumpsuit offers stylish and comfortable maternity wear designed to flatter throughout pregnancy. The brand caters to the often-overlooked need for fashionable yet functional clothing for expecting mothers.
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Savage X Fenty:
Founded by Rihanna in 2018, this lingerie line redefined inclusivity in the intimates market. Savage X Fenty offers a wide range of sizes and styles, celebrating all body types and promoting self-love.
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The Row:
This minimalist fashion house, co-founded by Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, has become a fashion powerhouse. The Olsens have redefined luxury with their clean lines, luxurious fabrics, and timeless silhouettes. The house combines a timeless perspective with subtle attitudes which form an irreverent classic signature.
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Lafayette 148
A born entrepreneur, Deirdre Quinn’s early love of the craft inspired a degree in fashion design. In 1996, she joined forces with two other fashion veterans and visionaries, Shun Yen Siu and Ida Siu, to found Lafayette 148 New York, creating one of the very rare, vertically integrated fashion brands focused on luxurious and timeless womenswear.
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Diane von Furstenberg
Founded in 1970 by the iconic designer of the same name, Diane von Furstenberg is a global fashion house known for its signature wrap dresses and bold prints. In 1974, she created the iconic wrap dress, which became a symbol of power and independence for women and grew into a global brand. She has continued her legacy as a supporter and empowerer of emerging female leaders through her philanthropy.
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Significant Other
Founded by two friends, Kathryn Forth and Julia Ritorto, Significant Other’s goal is to define relaxed and premium resort-wear for the modern, cool, and confident — and to do so with integrity — while championing size inclusivity with a wide range of trendy and stylish pieces designed to flatter all body types. The brand has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability and ethical manufacturing practices.
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Silver & Riley
Luxury travel, handbags, and accessories brand Silver & Riley, founded by Lola Banjo, merges style with social impact. Their “Buy 1, Give 5” initiative empowers women entrepreneurs through micro-grants, while their commitment to ethical production ensures quality and sustainability. Banjo, a passionate traveler and global citizen, envisioned Silver & Riley to blend functionality with beautiful design, with their leather bags handcrafted by skilled artisans in Tuscany, Italy.
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Emi Jay
When hair accessories became her go-to form of self-expression, Julianne Goldmark decided to make her own. Goldmark launched Emi Jay alongside her mother in 2009 and underwent a brand refresh in 2019. A brand founded on bold femininity, supported by high-quality products. Both effective and effortless, Emi Jay takes a rare approach to hair and beauty, offering reliable products and a strong community.
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MIRACO:
Founded by Samira Baraki, MIRACO is a luxury jewelry and lifestyle brand line that aims to create bold, elevated pieces that everyone can see themselves in, and focuses on making aspirational style more accessible when it comes to price point and representation.
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Bellabu Bear
Founded by Tamara Kaakani, Bellabu Bear offers a curated selection of children’s clothing and accessories. The brand focuses on organically grown and chemical-free bamboo clothing. Awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association, Bellabu Bear has a mission to dress every child in a pajama that is safer and more comfortable for bedtime.
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Threads
Founded in 2018 by Xenia Chen, who, at the young age of 25, started the brand with $10,000 of her own savings out of frustration that she was unable to find high-quality and affordable tights for work. Every product that Threads puts out is designed using real crowdsourced input and feedback, using a “comfort first approach.”
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Stella McCartney x Veuve Clicquot
This dynamic collaboration draws inspiration from the shared DNA and values of Veuve Clicquot’s rich heritage and Stella McCartney’s trailblazing ethos. Both brands, founded by pioneering women, have disrupted industries, driving change, and are deeply rooted in craftsmanship, passion, and innovation that opens doors to new and better possibilities. As a continuation of the iconic collaboration launching March 21, the two Houses will introduce the must-have fashion accessory — the champagne bottle holder. Using grape by-product from Veuve Clicquot’s harvest grown using regenerative agriculture practices, this material is fully traceable and of exceptional quality. This luxe accessory is a style statement of the season with an adjustable handle and epitomizes conscious fashion.
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Female-Founded Beauty Brands to Shop:
Laura Mercier
Founded in 1996 by Janet Gurwitch, this brand is known for its focus on flawless skin and natural beauty. Laura Mercier products are formulated to enhance natural features and create a polished yet effortless look. The brand offers a wide range of foundations, concealers, powders, and other complexion products, alongside makeup essentials like lipsticks and eyeshadows.
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Pat McGrath Labs:
Makeup maestro Pat McGrath’s eponymous line is a favorite among celebrities and makeup artists alike. Known for its high-pigment formulas and trendsetting palettes, Pat McGrath Labs puts artistry at the forefront of beauty.
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Cécred
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is the founder of the newly launched haircare brand, Cécred. Inspired by hair rituals from global cultures and boosted with patent-pending advanced science, Cécred focuses on the need for healthy haircare, and prioritizes the needs for textured hair in extensive and inclusive testing.
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It’s a 10
Founded by Carolyn Aronson, It’s a 10 Haircare offers a comprehensive line of hair care products designed for all hair types. The brand focuses on multi-tasking formulas that address multiple hair concerns in one product. It’s a 10 Haircare remains a popular choice for its ease of use and effectiveness.
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Kosas
This makeup line, founded by Sheena Zadeh-Daly, focuses on clean, high-performance makeup that is good for your skin. Kosas prioritizes quality ingredients and offers a range of versatile products, from color cosmetics, to bodycare, to complexion, for a natural, everyday look.
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DedCool
Fragrance was Carina Chaz’s passion from the very beginning. Growing up alongside her mother as a beauty formulator, with a lab as her playground, it was natural for Carina to create DedCool. Her love of scent and a general rejection of the way the Fragrance industry operates, lit a fire under Carina to create a modern 21st Century definition of what Fragrance means. DedCool is constantly raising the bar and setting new standards for the fine fragrance industry.
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espressOh
Chiara Cascella founded espressOh, the viral indie Italian beauty brand we know and love. Her background in the beauty industry and Italian heritage inspired her to create something that truly expressed the culture in a recognizable but modern way. The brand encapsulates the essence of every Italian with products that are simple, bold, and effective (just like a cup of espresso).
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Pound Cake
Founded by Camille Bell, the brand was created because she saw the need for a revolution in how cosmetic companies produce and market color cosmetics, moving past the idea of universal shades. The lipsticks were developed by a team of women of color scientists and tested by makeup artists to create a product that inspires confidence.
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PHLUR
Chriselle Lim is the new Owner and Creative Director of PHLUR, a fragrance company offering a curated selection of unique and long-lasting eau de parfums. The brand focuses on high-quality ingredients and innovative scent profiles. PHLUR has become a favorite among fragrance enthusiasts for its sophisticated and modern approach to perfumery.
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Dazzle Dry
Founded by Bio-Organic Chemist Dr. Vivian Valenty, Dazzle Dry is a nail care brand known for its quick-drying, long-lasting nail polish formulas. The brand also offers a range of nail care products designed to promote healthy nails. Dazzle Dry is a popular choice for busy women who want chip-resistant, beautiful nails without sacrificing time.
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CAKE Beauty
Founded by Heather Reir, CAKE Beauty was created to fill the need for beautiful products that satisfied the need for girlie indulgences and wants for natural ingredients. CAKE Beauty is particularly known for its playful packaging and dessert-inspired scents, making everyday beauty routines a delightful experience. The brand offers a variety of hair care products, including shampoos, conditioners, styling creams, and dry shampoos. Their skincare line includes body creams, scrubs, and hand lotions.
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Irene Forte Skincare
With her ‘Natura e Scienza’ vision, Irene Forte is the founder, leader, and driving force behind Irene Forte Skincare, an Italian skincare brand at the forefront of the ‘Natural Science’ movement. As the Wellness Consultant of Rocco Forte Hotels and an Advisory Board Member of the Global Wellness Summit, Forte has always understood the importance of a holistic approach to beauty. This is reflected in her constant emphasis on nourishing, organic ingredients. The range achieves outstanding clinical trial results with natural ingredients; formulations are shaped by 35 years of skincare research thanks to Scientific Director Dr. Francesca Ferri.
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This is just a small sampling of the incredible female-founded brands shaping the fashion and beauty landscape. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s not only acknowledge these achievements but also continue to champion women’s voices and empower them to reach their full potential.
