Before Girl Boss, there was just Boss and she was a woman. Our protagonists below fashion forward thinking from varying angles. There are those who paid their dues, and those who spotted a gap in the market through keen sense of observation. Some are veterans of the industry, and others are millennials paving the way ahead. Undoubtedly, all of them rule over the fashion kingdom with power, grace and of course, style.
1. Anna Wintour
Signature Style: Oversized Shades
The London-born legend in dark oversized sunnies and statement chokers is best known for her unapologetically angular bob cut and, of course, her career as Editor-In-Chief of Vogue US. The real life Miranda Priestly is feared and revered on the international fashion scene. Her clout is powerful enough to make or break a designer. Wintour had journalism in her blood, as the daughter of the Evening Standardโs editor. She went from high school job at Londonโs most exclusive boutique to being in charge of fashionโs most coveted print media in just under 25 years.
2. Katherine Power
Signature Style: Minimalist Blazer
Fashion website, Who What Wear, is consulted by sartorial aficionados worldwide for trend reports and street style, thanks to its California Girl co-founder Katherine Power. Along with fashion journalist, Hillary Kerr, the duo debuted a new approach to fashion in 2006, taking it off the runway into the more attainable realm of friendly online blogging- no Mean Girls allowed. Itโs been a decade and Power is arguably among the most influential girl bosses out there, having built an empire out of a website, collaborating with Target on an apparel line and co-authoring a book. To boot, her minimalist style is always on point, down to the manicured nails and polished hairdo.
4. Chiara Ferragni
Signature Style: Eponymous Shoe Label
When your name eclipses your own brand, you know you have got it made! Chiara Ferragni pretty much invented fashion blogging, as evidenced by her near 8 million Instagram followers. Her website, The Blonde Salad, not to mention her shoe line and numerous collaborations, have turned Italyโs defile darling into an international sensation. She began her blog in 2009 and two years later, while still studying law at Bocconi, she was profiled by Teen Vogue as Blogger of the Moment. Ferragni has since proven her staying power and solidified her position among the social influencer elite.
4. Sarah Rutson
Signature Style: Breton Stripes
Formerly VP of Global Buying for Net-A-Porter, Sarah Rutson is famed for her keen sense of business and eye for the creative- not to mention her love of all things striped! At 45, Rutson kept a pulse on new talents across the industry, such as Monse and Junya Watanabe, often serving as their mentor and avid online promoter. She is not only credited with scouting up and coming designers, but also with introducing established brands like Chanel into the online retail space. As if all of that were not enough to admire Sarah Rutson, her consistent posts praising her buying team showed a genuine collaborative spirit and support that all lady bosses should aspire to adopt.
