share their advice on love, life and being feminine
Being at McQueen, it’s always been about empowering women, it’s always been about a woman who’s strong.
The Alexander McQueen women is very much a woman who is strong for herself. I really believe that a woman shouldn’t just have to dress like a man to feel strong. That’s why I really love to play with tailoring mixed with a woman’s dress.
In 1974, I created the wrap dress. Well, people say I created it, but the truth is the wrap dress created me.
I was 26 years old, and it made me feel so confident, and the more confident I was, the more confidence I could sell. The dress became a symbol of women’s liberation.”
Because of our social conditioning, my parents were surprised that I wanted to go to college and take up a job.
Photo: https://www.vogue.in/content/incredible-indian-wom
We were a large joint family of around 30-40 cousins, most of whom would get married by the age of 18-19.
Neighbours used to mock my father that he couldn’t earn enough which is why his daughter was going for a job.
I have been through all of this societal stigma, and I know what goes into making people understanding why I deserved to work.
Eventually, my father gave me my first loan for starting my own business, and I am proud to say that I was able to return it in six months.
When I arrived at Dior, everybody spoke to me about femininity and I thought, but what does it mean to be feminine today?
Photo: Bikramjit Bose
What does it mean to be a woman today? We started to think of a T-shirt because it is a way to speak to everybody. And also because this was a message, not just clothes.
Later, I was at the Brooklyn Museum in New York and saw a girl of about 11 or 12 wearing a fake version of that T-shirt.
I was so thrilled. She had no idea that it was made for Dior, or who I was—she bought it for the message.
All women inspire me to design clothes that are inclusive, that are not about fashion.
Photo: Payal Khandwala
Women. I know so many women and meet so many more, from all walks of life, all shapes, all sizes, strong women with such distinct personalities, from different demographics.
They inspire me to design clothes that are inclusive, that are not about fashion which is so fleeting, but are an extension of who they are."
Bodice evolves with me—the more confident I feel, the bolder my clothes become.
And this is exactly the kind of woman that the brand was made for.
You have to push; you have to get out of your comfort zone; not listen to ‘No’
Photo: GABRIELA HEARST
You have to implement your knowledge. The bigger your platform, the more responsibility and duty you have and this is what I’m dedicating my life to.”