Abrima Erwiah

Abrima Erwiah is the co-founder and creative director of Studio One Eighty Nine, a highly acclaimed eco conscious fashion label that she launched in 2012 with actress and activist Rosario Dawson.  The brand aims to use fashion as a agent for social change by promoting and curating African inspired content.  Abrima has over 16 years fashion and luxury experience working for the likes of Bottega Veneta and Hermes.

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Abrima Erwiah is the co-founder and creative director of Studio One Eighty Nine, a highly acclaimed eco conscious fashion label she launched with actress and activist Rosario Dawson.  The brand aims to use fashion as a agent for social change by promoting and curating African inspired content.  Abrima has over 16 year fashion and luxury experience working for the likes of Bottega Veneta and Hermes.

Q: Where is home?

A: Home is wherever my friends and family are. I move around alot so I feel at home in a lot of places. But my real two homes are in Accra and New York City!

Q: Mantra you live by

A: Study, learn from those that have come before you, learn from those that are there now, stay grounded, build a plan, and then let it go and let the universe do it's thing. You have to Listen to the universe and have faith.

Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

A: Driven, Passionate, Visionary, Compassionate, Loving, Astute

Q: Favorite song of all time?

A: Man in the mirror by Michael Jackson

Q: Complete the sentence: I got my big break when…

A: I got a job at Bottega Veneta.

Q: Last album you listened to?

A: Tekno by Pana

Q: A woman you admire?

A: Rosario Dawson, my mother Betty Sims, my aunt Naomi Sims, Michelle Obama, Lisa Opoku [who works at] Goldman Sachs, Lisa Pomerantz [who works at] Bottega Veneta, Francesca Bellettini [who works at] YSL and on and on.

Q: ‘Other’ is about loving what makes you different. It’s about being yourself. What’s ‘other’ about you?

A: My interest in going where people won’t go, in trying to build where people won’t build, in seeing potential in everything and everyone... I believe in the impossible and I try my best to make the impossible, possible. It's a gift and a curse.

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?

A: The journey is the destination, Murphy's Law, Listen to the Universe, Have faith.

Q: One thing not many people know about you?

A: I was in a Lauryn Hill Video and a Rupaul video.

Q: Your advice to an emerging maker?

A: Collaborate with people that are creating and doing. No need to start from scratch. Build with other builders so the community can rise. If one of us wins, we all win.

Mary Alice Stephenson

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Fashion and beauty expert, Style Commentator, Humanitarian, Founder GLAM4GOOD

Whether she is styling Michelle Obama, being featured on The Today, Oprah, or Bloomberg TV, Mary Alice Stephenson is a testament to the fact that fashion and beauty transcend all industries. Moreover, that fashion and beauty can be a force for good. In addition to being the founder of GLAM4GOOD, an organization that harnesses the healing power, joy, and attention that fashion and beauty can bring to honor courage, ignite self-esteem, raise awareness and inspire social conscience, Mary Alice has been a Make A Wish ambassador for 15 years. With a heart as a big as hers, we should all take a page from Mary Alice Stephenson's book.  

Q: Where is home? 

A: After living in Brooklyn for the last 20 years I just recently moved to a little town on the Hudson which added fresh air, big trees and a lot more zen to my hectic life! But, I spend most of my time these days at my non-profit GLAM4GOOD which is headquartered in Downtown Brooklyn at City Point. 

Q: Mantra you live by? 

A: Improving the lives of others is the ultimate form of style. 

Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?   

A: Dedicated. Dependable. Doer. 

Q: Favorite song of all time?

A: It’s a three way tie and it’s old school and cheesy but these songs always make me teary eyed. Amazing Grace + Here Comes The Sun + Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Q: Complete the sentence: I got my big break when...

A: No one ever gave me a “big break”. I have worked non-stop for fruition in my life. There have been many people who have supported my dreams along the way but I gave myself the biggest break when I decided to believe in the only person who truly had the power to make my life spectacular…me. Once I got her on my side the rest was easy.  

Q: A woman you admire?  

A: There are so many women I admire but I would have to say my Mom would be number one. Without her incredible dedication and commitment to helping my son and me, my career,  GLAM4GOOD would not exist. Love empowers miracles. 

Q: ‘Other’ is about loving what makes you different.  It’s about being yourself. What’s ‘other’ about you?  

A: I believe that anything is possible with commitment, perseverance and heart. 

Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning I say...

A: THANK YOU to the goddess above because I am alive and able to live and love freely. When you work with women and girls who have go through so many horrific challenges, experienced so much pain or passed, you realize quickly what a gift it is to be able to wake up to a new day.  

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?

A: “Learn to turn shit into gold.” 

Q: Your advice to an emerging maker?

A: LIVE YOUR MISSION:  Eat, breathe and do the work every day. Over and over. If you don’t truly feel it is your purpose…dont do it. Success takes total commitment. Go big or go home.

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS:  People can’t help you if they don’t know what you need. Let people know in every way, every day, how important your work is and how and why they can and should support you! Remember, if you don’t care nobody else will. People can’t get behind something if they don’t understand and see it. Show them.

MAKE IT MATTER:  Emotion, honesty, spirit, purpose. When it’s real, people feel it and want to support it. A community will rise around your work when there is an emotional connection. So tell your story, your brand’s story, or the stories of the people you are helping in an authentic powerful way. Don’t fabricate, don’t amplify, don’t pretty it up. Be real, be raw and knock em alive. The truth is your best marketing tool.

Q: The time I nearly gave up…explain?

A: Sometimes following your heart and your truth takes a lot of courage. I have come up against many obstacles and there were times when I thought I would not be able to continue GLAM4GOOD. There was a day I remember thinking there is no way I could continue doing our empowerment initiatives. This was before I was a 501(c)(3) and was able to accept donations and grants. I had sold my jewelry, my clothing, and my art to continue to #GLAM4GOOD. I remember sitting at my desk trying to get people to donate clothing and accessories for 200 girls in need and thinking why does this have to be so hard. Why don’t I just go back to being a fashion director or editor-in-chief and do something that has more stability and financial rewards. Then the doorbell rang, it was a massive shipment of jewelry from Dana Lorenz of Fenton Fallon. When I opened the boxes there were 100’s of beautiful pieces that I knew would make the girls we were empowering for their prom feel so special and happy. There was so much joy in those boxes. I just stood there and cried like a baby. Somehow I knew at that moment that even when I had doubts, and felt frustrated that I did not have the tools I needed for the amount of people reaching out for help, that the universe would deliver something like this package of treasure and give me the faith to keep on track.  There have been many moments like this where the universe says…. “Girl you have to keep going with this!”

Q: Complete this sentence: The future is female because...

A: Without us there is no future. 

Stacy London

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Style Guru, TV Host, Trailblazer

Ever since her inaugural episode of TLC's What Not To Wear, Stacy London has been redefining the rules of style. And the rules are - there are no rules. Rules change depending on the woman and there is not a single definition of style or beauty. A kind-hearted hardworking and empowering force for women, Stacy London is a testament to the fact that we should never throw in the towel.

Q: Where is home?

A: Brooklyn NYC but I grew up in Manhattan. I lived at 110 Bleecker Street until I was 9. I still love to sit on the wall by the flags directly across from that building just to look at it. It brings back SO many childhood memories.

Q: Mantra you live by?

A: Never trade the thing you want most for the thing you want now.

Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

A: Weird, nerdy, vaguely amusing.

Q: Favorite song of all time?

A: One favorite song is too hard. I have 3. Deal with it. 

         a) You Could Be Happy - Snow Patrol

         b)  Tangled Up In You - Staind

         c)   Make You Feel My Love - Adele

What can a say I'm a cynical romantic.

Q: Complete the sentence: I got my big break when…

A: I got my big break when... I was hired to be on TLC's What Not To Wear.

Q: Last album you listened to?

A: The Trolls soundtrack and Frank Ocean.

Q: A woman you admire?

A: Maxine Waters.

Q: ‘Other’ is about loving what makes you different. It’s about being yourself. What’s ‘other’ about you?

A: I've always felt "other." Having a skin disease at 4 can do that to you. The treatments made my skin split and I have a bunch of deep scars. But those are badges of honor now. They remind me what I've been through. And almost 9 months ago, I had a kind of spinal reconstruction surgery. That has made me feel more than other. The rehabilitation has been hard.  And knowing I'm filled with titanium makes me feel like a super weirdo.

Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning I -- -- -

A: When I wake up I yawn, stretch my left Achilles heel, and get oodles of kisses from my puppy, which is just her way of telling me it's time to feed her.

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?

A: My father always told me to pursue any career I wanted. But before THAT, he said it was essential to get a liberal arts education. There, no matter the subject, I would learn to retain information, to write, to think critically. With those skills, I could succeed in any area I wanted. (I feel very strongly that he was right.)

Q: One thing not many people know about you?

A: Well everyone knows I love dinosaurs and Star Wars so hmmm, I know! I have a new purchasing rule: if I buy one new piece of clothing, 2 older pieces have to come out of the closet and get donated, given to friends, or to one of my sales to benefit charities (mostly Animal Medical Center of NYC.) (Also, completely unrelated, I really love an Aperol spritz. But with soda and not prosecco. Less sweet, and all the bubbles.

Q: The time I nearly gave up…explain.

A: I almost gave up after I was fired from Mademoiselle magazine. I thought my career was over. But just a few months later, I got a call to audition for a show called What Not To Wear. That was that. 

Side note: I just want to say to others who feel like giving up, don't. Hang in there. During that period of confusion and fear, I didn't think I could take a step in any direction. But I took a chance. If I hadn't taken a step, the path would never have appeared. (I've said some version of this a bisquillion times but don't know to whom, if anyone, the sentiment can be attributed.  Just remember: In the worst of times, you'll find the best in yourself. (Pretty sure that one just came out of my head as I type this.)

Q: Complete this sentence: The future is female because...

A: The future is female because the world needs to heal. It needs understanding, nurture, structure, tolerance, a strong but kind hand, protection, and diplomacy. A woman is able to accomplish all these simultaneously and instinctually. The future is female because it is inevitable.

Taryn Toomey

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Woman, Mother, Yogi, New Yorker

Every experience of Taryn Toomey's life, the highly sought after celebrity instructor and transformative and spiritual founder of The Class, has inspired everything she pursues. The Class is a cathartic workout experience that's changing the lives of New York and Los Angeles residents alike. Taryn has since founded The Layer (a transformational cleansing program), The Retreatment (international luxury retreats), and The Airelume (a handcrafted jewelry line), demonstrating that when you follow your passion the opportunities are endless

Q: Where is home? 

A: New York City

Q: Mantra you live by?

A: One beat at a time.

Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words? 

A: Fiery, silly, empathic.

Q: Favorite song of all time?

A: Steam Engine - My Morning Jacket.

Q: Last album you listened to? 

A: Twin Solitude - LEIF VOLLEBEKK.

Q: A woman you admire? 

A: Oprah Winfrey.

Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning I... 

A: Brush my teeth, scrape my tongue, kiss my children and find a spot to meditate for 20 minutes.

Kathleen Wright

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CEO and Founder of Piece and Co., Micro-financier, Global Citizen

Kathleen Wright. Kathleen launched Piece & Co. with the mission to empower women and artisan communities in developing nations. In addition to building a bridge between the artisan communities and the global fashion industry, environmentally sustainable practices are being implemented into communities of more than 5,000 artisans through Kathleen's vision. With tireless perseverance and passion, Kathleen Wright is a testament to the fact that your dreams and doing the right thing can and should go hand in hand.

Q: Where is home?

A: My home is in Chicago and my office is in New York so sometimes I think a plane is my home.

Q: Mantra you live by? 

A: Do one thing every day that scares you.

Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

A: Happy, anxious, dauntless.

Q: Favorite song of all time? 

A: I could never pick just one- music is my lifeline but, depending on the day probably something by Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Jay Z, Kanye West, or Dolly Parton (so, I’m very consistent :)

Q: Complete the sentence: I got my big break when...

A: I found people in my industry that I connected with at a real level and they lifted me up onto their shoulders.

Q: Last album you listened to? 

A: Hamilton (it’s like a disease I can’t cure)

Q: A woman you admire?

A: Eleanor Roosevelt and my sisters.

Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning I -----

A: Head straight for the coffee and then meditate.

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given? 

A: Don’t be so freaking hard on yourself.

Q: One thing not many people know about you?

A: I grew up in a rural area on a pig farm and to this day, pigs are my favorite animal and I feel most at home on a farm.

Q: Your advice to an emerging maker?

A: Worrying about what may or may not happen can swallow you hole, the trick is to stay present and do what you need to do that day without letting your fears about tomorrow creep in.

Q: The time I nearly gave up...Explain?

A: So many times!!! There have been many time where I have let self doubt creep in and seep into my bones to bring me to the brink. No matter what the catalyst, whether it be the loss of an important customer or a key employee or just bombing in a meeting the real culprit that makes me question everything is self doubt. Over time, I have learned that even the darkest night really will end and then sun will rise and now I hold onto that thought knowing that this too shall pass .

Q: Complete this sentence: The future is female because.......

A: Women have not even scratched the surface when it comes to unlocking our true potential and power. I honestly believe that for generations we, as women, have been conditioned to put others first at the expense of ourselves, to withhold our opinions at the risk of offending someone, to color within the lines that will not make others uncomfortable and more and more I am beginning to see women challenge that. In this moment, every time we encourage each other to speak our truth and be true ourselves we are getting more and more powerful. We are waking up.

Dee Poku

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Activist, Social Entrepreneur, Founder of The WIE Network and The Other Festival, Mother

Dee Poku's career is a testament to the power of partnerships. From working with filmmakers as a Hollywood film industry executive, to gathering together emerging female makers and creators via WIE and The Other Festival, Dee knows firsthand that relationships are the key to success! 


Q: Where is home?
A: London, Accra and New York

Q: Mantra you live by?
A: The key to success is through the power of your network.

Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
A: Determined, conscious, joyful.

Q: Complete the sentence: I got my big break when…
A: I walked up to the reception desk of a fashion company I really wanted to work for and asked if they had any openings. They offered me an internship which turned into a job a month later.

Q: Last album you listened to?
A: Solange, A Seat At The Table.

Q: A woman you admire?
A: Katherine Johnson, the research scientist who turned 99 last week. She was the character played by Taraji P Henson in the movie Hidden Figures. I’m a math major and I sure wish I’d known about her when I was at college. What a cool role model to have had.

Q: ‘Other’ is about loving what makes you different.  It’s about being yourself. What’s ‘other’ about you?
A: I’m other in every way. A math major who was good at sciences but ended up in fashion then movies. A British Ghanaian woman living in New York. I’m both creative and analytical and I will no longer allow society to define who I am. When we allow ourselves to get boxed in, we lose.

Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning I -----
A: Reach for my phone and immediately start responding to emails while simultaneously dealing with my 5 year old and his many morning demands.

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?
A: Use rejection as the motivation to prove them wrong.

Q: One thing not many people know about you?
A: I wanted to be a nun growing up.

Q: Your advice to an emerging maker?
A: Be a sponge. Read everything and utilize every opportunity to enhance your craft. Go to talks, conferences and meetups to connect with fellow founders and potential mentors. And get better at asking. We squander so many opportunities by not speaking up. I hear no 10 times a day but sometimes I get a yes and it’s worth a 1000 no’s. Never take rejection personally. It’s not about you. 

Q: Complete this sentence: The future is female because…
A: Women have finally wised up to the fact that if we want to see real change and equality we can’t just sit back and hope it transpires because it happens to be the right thing to do. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

Zoe Buckman

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Multi-disciplinary Artist, Creative Activist, Mother

Working in sculpture, installation and photography, Zoe Buckman's work focuses on the themes of feminism, mortality and equality. Hailing from Hackney, East London and currently residing in Brooklyn, Zoe's work has been featured everywhere in between. With a talented eye and a huge heart, Zoe Buckman is disrupting the world of modern art.

Q: Where is home?
A: Brooklyn, New York

Q: Mantra you live by?
A: Life is happening for us, open your eyes and learn.

Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
A: A warm forest. 

Q: Favorite song of all time?
A: Juicy, Biggie

Q: Complete the sentence: I got my big break when…
A: I became a Mother.

Q: Last album you listened to?
A: Blonde by Frank Ocean.

Q: A woman you admire?
A: My friend Chantelle Sargeant, AKA the best English teacher my home borough of Hackney ever had.


Q: ‘Other’ is about loving what makes you different.  It’s about being yourself. What’s ‘other’ about you?
A: I’d say I am other because of how I see the world, how I feel about the world, and how I use my art to reflect these things.

Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning I -----
A: Think simultaneously about sex, making a cup of tea, how lucky I am, my daughter, and what I want to achieve today.

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?
A: When it comes to cocktails—1, 2, 3, floor.

Q: One thing not many people know about you?
A: I have a twin brother.

Q: Your advice to an emerging maker?
A: Always keep finding ways to learn and grow and expand your practice. When you get knocked down, look for a way to channel that negativity into strengthening your work and your sense of self. Give yourself a finite amount of time each day to respond to admin, as it will inhibit your creativity and bleed into your time for making and evolving.


Q: The time I nearly gave up…explain.
A: I’ve never nearly given up! I’ve grappled with self-doubt and frustration, I’ve experienced longing for greater validation and approval, I’ve yearned to make more money out of my work… but I don’t remember ever being close to throwing in the towel.


Q: Complete this sentence: The future is female because…
A: Consciousness is slowly being raised which means a shift away from our previous, hackneyed modes of living and governing.

Gelila Bekele

Model, Humanitarian, Activist, Filmmaker

Whether Gelila Bekele is in front of the lens or behind it, she firmly believes that the future is female. Throughout all her documentary work Gelila's primary focus is showcasing and strengthening girls voices through her creative platforms. 

Q: Where is home?

A: Home is...Different places.

Q: Mantra you live by?

A: To be in the moment. whatever I am, be all there.

Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

A: I like to think of my self as Funny, Curious and Adventurous.

Q: Favorite song of all time? 

A: Anchi Bale Game by Mahamoud Ahmed.

Q: Complete the sentence: I got my big break when…

A: When I became a model  (everything changed).

Q: Last album you listened to? 

A: Cold Play,  A Head Full of Dreams.

Q: A woman you admire?

A: It’s not just one particular woman,  I am inspired by women who never lose hope in the darkest times; women that constantly put themselves on the line to better other lives; women who are fighting for social justice, and dedicating  time and energy to spin the wheel of positive change.

Q: ‘Other’ is about loving what makes you different. It’s about being yourself. What’s ‘other’ about you?

A: I love making content that tells the untold human stories.  I am dedicated to fighting for young girls in rural parts of the world, their right to have education and a platform to dream.  I love how modeling and the life I had in front of the camera for 15 years has thought me to be a better camera operator.  And I am loving motherhood, which has thought me unconditional love, and made me look at the world in a different lens.

Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning I...

A: When I wake up in the morning the first thing I do is kiss my 2 year old son.

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given? 

A: “Be the person you needed when you where a child.”

Q: One thing that not many people know about you? 

A: I was Pre-Med  in college.

Q: Your advice to an emerging maker?

A: Start with what you love and never give up until you are happy with your self/result. When nothing is certain, anything is possible.

Q: The time I nearly gave up…explain.

A: Between 2007/ 2008.  I was on the road constantly, living in village huts for months while filming which was physically and mentally exhausted. Thank God I didn’t give up. Documentary filmmaking can be physically consuming, especially when you are exposed to extreme living conditions but I learned to love the process of making a film, and that goes back to truly loving what you do.


Q: Complete this sentence: The future is female because…

A: The future is female because women are constantly facing misogynistic, patriarchal, cultural walls. When we say the future is female,  to me at least  it means encouraging and validating young girls to dream about becoming a president, astronaut, politician, scientist, filmmakers..…. with no limits.  It gives women the chance and the voice to have a strong presence in making decisions in all aspects of human existence. It gives us room to create our own narrative. It can be misunderstood as anti-male at times, but it’s actually an echo of the time we are in; it's against the biased and completely one-sided world  controlled by men and their idea of how a woman should look, act and think.  The future is female because we can’t keep living in a willful denial of history.

Jasmine Solano

DJ, TV Host, International Music Influencer

Jasmine Solano has two world tours under her belt in addition to a show on MTV titled "Scratch the Surface." Most recently, Jasmine launched a non-profit photography series, Unity In Color - which stands for solidarity in Women's Rights - and has since spread to over 10+ cities worldwide. 

Q: Where is home?

A: Right now it’s both NYC and Los Angeles!

Q: Last album you listened to.

A: This isn’t a new release, but I just discovered Y’akato’s “Baby Blues” album and it’s so magical – it’s been on repeat.

Q: A woman you admire?

A: Besides my mother (who will always be #1) – a woman I totally admire right now is Morgan Rhodes. She’s a Music Supervisor and long time DJ. She was the Music Supervisor for Ava DuVernay’s “Selma”, “Queen Sugar”, “The Door” and most recently the new Netflix series “Dear White People”. I’ve had a chance to sit down with Morgan and hear about her life story & deep love for music. The way she’s carved out her own lane in the cross section of music & film is beyond inspiring!

Q: One thing not many people know about you?

A: At one point in college when I was DJing on the radio, I almost got my Feng Shui Practicing Certificate – but decided to focus on music solely. But the principles of feng shui & home design are still my passions!

Q: Complete this sentence: The future is female because…

A: It has to be - to even the playing field. The future needs to celebrate the feminine, be inclusive of women of color, LGBTQ women, women of different backgrounds & faiths. Women have to be seen as necessary decision makers within the work place, the household, the media and the government.

Q: Your advice to an emerging maker?

A: Do your research. Study your craft. Learn about business. Prepare your mind & spirit such that you are confident enough to take the risks required. Longevity comes when you build substance in your brand. Failure is necessary for growth, welcome the journey with a smile and a wink ;)

 

Melissa Battifarano

Creative, Visionary, Designer Darling of American Fashion.

Melissa Battifarano has been an American fashion designer for over 10 years and since graduating from FIT where she studied knitwear, she has risen through the ranks of established brands from Tommy Hilifiger and Ralph Lauren to launching Tory Sport. Additionally, she was the senior designer for Sean Jean (where the brand won the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year award) and most recently, Melissa served as design director for Rhianna's line FentyxPuma. Melissa believes with strong conviction that it is time for women to be in charge of their own destinies. 

Q: Where is home? 

A: I've live in the LES for the past 15 years

Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words? 

A: Loyal, confident, strong willed.

Q: Favorite song of all time?

A: Frank Sinatra "My way," it reminds me of my father.

Q: Complete the sentence: I got my big break when…

A: I was finally hired as a director at Ralph Lauren. I interviewed there four times! It was my favorite American brand for so long. To finally get hired there, and walk into those offices uptown… I said it out loud, “I made it”. I still hold onto my business cards from that job seven years ago. 

Q: Last album you listened to

A: R Kelly Tp2

Q: A woman you admire? 

A: There are a lot of women I admire, the first being my mother. She passed away when I was 5, and I admire her for her quiet strength. I admire Jackie O for her fortitude, and grace and style through all the adversity.

Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning I... 

A: I give my dog Rocco belly rubs for a good 5 minutes.

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?

A: Always overdress and you will never be underdressed

Q: One thing not many people know about you?

A: I am fiendish about making to do lists on my phone. Nothing Is more rewarding than checking off a to do list!

Q: Your advice to an emerging maker?

A: My advice would be to always be prepared for the worst, because inevitably, the garment will rip, the presentation will get coffee spilled on it, the laptop battery will die, there will be an accident on the BQE, etc. You must think of absolutely everything, so you can really focus on the task at hand, and not the “what if” something goes wrong, because it always does and that can NOT be the end of story.

Q: The time I nearly gave up…explain.

A: Never gave up because there is nothing else I can do but design and create.

Q: Complete this sentence: The future is female because…

A: It is time we were in charge of our own destinies, and stopped letting men dictate our opinions and lives. We need to empower our girls to have the confidence to speak their minds and let their opinions be heard from a young age.

Jody Levy

Entrepreneur, artist, designer, director, producer, educator and writer.

Jody Levy has always been a passionate and purposeful woman, not to mention persistent. When Levy has a vision, she sees it through. Founder of Stitch Experience Design + Assembly and most recently World Waters, which launched its first product WTRMLN WTR in 2013, both ventures focus on intention. And with investors such as Beyoncé behind her latest venture, you can be sure World Waters is intended for success.  A down-to-earth, woman maker and creator Levy is helping pave the way for a more sustainable and socially conscious future.

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Q: Where is home?

A: I am a global nomad. Home is in New York City but I flow through Detroit, Denver, LA and more.

Q: Mantra you live by?

A: Only This Moment Is Life.

Q: Favorite song of all time?

A: Carly Simon’s Let The River Run – from Working Girl. I know funny right.

Q: Last album you listened to

A: I listen to a lot of underground DJ sets. Right now I am into Satori, Be Svedson, Goldcap and more.  

Q: A woman you admire?

A: So many women I admire!! My sister Melissa Levy, Beyonce Knowles-Carter, Maya Angelou, Yoko Ono, Mary Wells Lawrence, the list goes on and on and on.

Q: ‘Other’ is about loving what makes you different.  It’s about being yourself. What’s ‘other’ about you?

A: I flow by my intuition and I trust that the universe provides. This keeps me in the realm of other in every possible way.

Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning I -----

A: Try to see the sun rise, meditate and dip into gratitude. Then I drink my Bulletproof coffee and dive in!

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?

A: Sometimes the best deals are those you walk away from. My dad John Levy.

Q: One thing not many people know about you? 

A: I am the softest most sensitive person you have ever met. ☺

Q: Your advice to an emerging maker?

A: Follow the things that make you feel like you can’t wait to wake up in the morning with ideas dripping from your fingertips!

Q: The time I nearly gave up…explain.

A: When I have too many plates spinning at once I fantasy about moving to a farm and living off the land. But I don’t give up.

Elena Brower

Yogi, spiritual speaker, mindful mama and author of "The Art of Attention"

Elena Brower is known internationally for her expertise in practices that help people approach the world in a more reverent way. Giving up has never been in her vocabulary and after overcoming addiction, Brower has channeled all her energy into helping everyone become their best self, through both meditation and yoga.

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Q: Where is home?

A: NYC but a piece of my heart is in Australia.

Q: Mantra you live by?

A: Forgive yourself again.

Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

A: Earnest. Caring. Studious.

Q: Favorite song of all time?

A: Right now it's Guru Ram Das by Guru Vir Kaur. Haunting and soothing all at once.

Q: Complete the sentence: I got my big break when…

A: Early on, my Mama told me I was beautiful and talented.

Q: Last album you listened to?

A: Ritual Mystical by East Forest and MC Yogi

Q: A woman you admire?

My best friend Ally Bogard.

Q: ‘Other’ is about loving what makes you different. It’s about being yourself. What’s ‘other’ about you?

A: I'm unafraid to share my journey in recovery.

Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning I...

A: Snuggle up to my boys, move my body, then meditate.

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?

A: Save at minimum 10% of everything you make.

Q: One thing not many people know about you?

A: I love tidying up public bathrooms.

Q: Your advice to an emerging maker?

A: Never stop making your art, your mark, your path.

Q: The time I nearly gave up?

A: I don't think that's ever happened.

Q: Complete this sentence: The future is female because…

A: Females are needed to have the dialogues, the babies and the circles.

Yasmin Green

Thinker, Doer, Head of Research & Development at Google's think tank "Jigsaw"

With one goal in mind - to make the internet a safer place around the world, Yasmin Green is eternally hopeful. Growing up in the age of trailblazing women, such as Margaret Thatcher, Yasmin Green was able to see women in power while becoming a powerful woman herself.

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Q: Where is home?
A: Where my husband is. When he's not on tour, that place is Brooklyn.

Q: Mantra you live by:
A: "Give a damn." (My friend Tennessee Thomas wrote the message on a shirt last year; perfect timing).

Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
A: Hopeful, compassionate, audacious.  

Q: Favorite song of all time
A: "I Love Trash" by Oscar The Grouch.

Q: Complete the sentence: I got my big break when…
A: I moved to New York to build the part of Google that builds technology to make people around the world safer.

Q: Last album you listened to
A: "Ape in Pink Marble" by Devendra Banhart

Q: A woman you admire?
A: Margaret Thatcher. Though she was not universally liked during her near decade-long reign as the Prime Minister of the UK, she was a female powerhouse in a field filled with deep prejudice. Because of her, I grew up seeing the highest office and strongest voice in the country be that of a woman.

Q: ‘Other’ is about loving what makes you different. It’s about being yourself. What’s ‘other’ about you?
A: I'm an Iranian British geopolitical techie raising a family with an American Jewish indie rocker husband. So I guess that.

Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning I -- -- -
A: Yell back at my wailing progeny -- "I'm COOOOOOOMIING Zeba!!!" -- in the hope that she'll pipe down while I orient myself and behold a bold new day.

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given
A: Gain credibility from direct experience. One recent example: If you're going to be an expert on online radicalization -- go to Iraq and interview ISIS.

Q: One thing not many people know about you
A: I was a shooting guard for the English Junior National Basketball Squad at 16.

Q: Your advice to an emerging maker
A: Don't ever say that you don't have time to do something. Don't think of time as something that escapes you or shortchanges you. Everyone's day contains the same amount of time. The only true reflection of your priorities is how you decide to spend your time.

Q: Complete this sentence: The future is female because…
A: The future won't be gendered.

Chelsea Leyland

DJ,  Actress,  Advocate and Influencer

Chelsea Leyland does it all.  Chelsea is just as strong as she is insightful,  attributing her heightened sense of empathy to her battle with epilepsy.  She discusses everything from staying grounded and surrounding herself with good people, to her morning ritual and advice for makers.  Read more about Chelsea below.

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Q: Where is home?
A: Brooklyn NY & London, England

Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
A: Passionate Fruit Cake

Q: Favorite song of all time?
A: “Bad Girl” by Lee Moses

Q: A woman you admire?
A: My female friends. Lily Kwong, Fernanda de la Puente and Tali Lennox. My girls inspire me through their creative work and how they support and ground me.

Q: What’s ‘other’ about you?
A: I have a heightened sensitivity which is both a blessing and a curse. I think it probably comes from having epilepsy and also having a sister who suffers from a very severe type of epilepsy. It has always been this struggle that makes me feel ‘other’ and ‘different’. I couldn’t have felt more out of place growing up, but with age I have realized it’s given me an easier path to empathy. I feel different but grateful for this.

Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning...
A: I dance naked...

Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given
A: Go towards wise people, they don’t necessarily have to be intellectually intelligent, successful or famous but if they feel wise and grounded and nurture you, then those are the people who you want to surround yourself with. It’s about heading towards people who make you a better version of yourself, support you, and make you feel good.

Also try not to compare yourself physically, emotionally, career wise, or in any other way to others...we’re all on our own path. Let others inspire us.

Q: Your advice to an emerging maker.
A: Stay in your truth. Always follow your gut...this is your intuition. Try to stay grounded and surround yourself with good people, it's easy to get lost.

Q: Complete this sentence: The future is female because…
A: I believe that the future is everyone. The future is genderless. We need to stop separating ourselves from one another and see that we are all in fact one.