At the intersection between International Women's Day and Paris Fashion Week, March 2025 has prompted conversations about the impact of women on the fashion industry, specifically on womenswear.  We have seen more women taking up roles as creative directors this season than ever before, and their work is worth celebrating.   

According to the Parsons School of Design database, in 2021 70% of the enrolled undergraduate class was female. A common trend at most fashion schools, it demonstrates that there is a large number of aspiring women who want to break into both the business and design realms of the fashion world. However, even fashion sectors that are regarded as “female-oriented”, such as marketing, show a gender divide, with women occupying fewer leading roles.  

This feels ironic: a higher number of female creative directors should strongly resonate with women, as they are statistically the most important consumers. Women make up only 12% of creative directors in fashion houses. That said, recently there seems to be a positive trend regarding female creative directors: 2025 alone suggests a growth in women’s roles in the fashion industry. A Mega Magazine article published on International Women’s Day stated that “change is in the air” regarding the growing number of female creative directors.  On top of this, according to Data But Make It Fashion, women-made womenswear collections tend to be much more popular among female consumers.  

It is therefore relevant to highlight some of the female creative directors who presented at the Womenswear AW Paris Fashion Week from the 5th to the 11th of March 2025 – the perfect time to celebrate women.   

This past fashion week was a debut for multiple female designers including Sarah Burton at Givenchy and Veronica Leoni at Calvin Klein, both following Chemena Kamali’s debut at Chloé in 2024. In addition to Prada and Stella McCartney, women are slowly but surely occupying more leading roles in the fashion industry, closing the gap towards gender equality. Their respective collections have been some of the public’s favorites, showcasing a greater understanding of women and their fashion needs.  

Chemena Kamali’s collection for Chloé felt effortless and freeing: the liberty of wearing long pants, skirts, and jewelry in a chic way. From classy long coats to slip dresses, elevated with the iconic Paddington bag, everything is possible for the modern Chloé girl. This collection felt like a breath of fresh air – simultaneously classic and rock – with the addition of bootcut jeans, big belts, and never too much fur. Kamali continues to prove her strong experience and portfolio through the crafting of this collection. In this show, she explored the concept of timeless femininity, connecting women of various generations using commonly adored pieces.  

Sarah Burton’s debut at Givenchy showcased the countless facets and possibilities for women’s fashion, from two-piece suits to mesh to only suit jackets with no bottoms. The interesting silhouettes and effortlessly tucked-in hair, the contrast between dressed up and casual, and lack– or abundance – of jewels, is a testament to Burton’s talent and knowledge of women that can be seen through the diversity of this collection.  

On the other hand, Miuccia Prada explored raw and effortless fashion through the Prada show. Like Burton, his show also displayed jackets with no pants, oversized pieces, and jewelry layering, but this time paired with unapologetically tangled hair. This edgier look is important to address for women, as it counterbalances the highly mediatized picture of what “perfect” womenswear should look like.  

Creative director positions should be equally occupied by women and men. While various points of view and upbringings are a vital part of a designer’s creativity, women better understand each other and their needs, providing deep connections through clothing. Fashion can be, for many, a way to navigate womanhood, and more leading female figures in the fashion industry are a source of inspiration for many women.