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To celebrate this years International Women’s Day we interviewed some of our favourite female founders to get their scoop on what this years theme #ichoosetochallenge means for them and their business.
Read our interview with founder Audrey Khaing-Jones of rental fashion company Glam Corner:
Tell us what this year’s IWD #choosetochallenge means to you and your business?
I started in a closet of only 30 dresses back in 2012, when I first set out to make designer fashion more accessible and reduce textile waste through rental. So many people didn’t believe in my vision, telling me all the reasons why it wouldn’t work. I had to keep fighting and listening to my inner voice to power through what the business is today.
In less than 10 years we have a fulfilment centre of over 30,000 clothes and growing. As a business that attracts and serves women, it’s important to us that everyone feels empowered, and their energy, style and creativity is acknowledged and fostered, not held back by social or economic barriers. We #choosetochallenge bias’ of any kind, whether it be size, race or gender and always continuing to work on how we can be better and more inclusive.
What are the greatest challenges women face in the fashion industry?
There are many challenges women face in the fashion industry, but one of the greatest is the women we don’t see in the fashion industry. Everyone in the fashion industry has a responsibility to ensure that voices of all women are heard and respected. Organizations like Labour Behind the Label are doing work to keep brands and governments accountable, and the Fashion Revolution which was formed after the Rana Plaza disaster where a building collapsed in Bangladesh, killing thousands of majority young women in garment factories. It serves as a reminder that no one should die or suffer for fashion.
In your opinion what needs to change to create equality in the fashion industry?
Something we all have the power to do today is be conscious consumers. Understanding who you are buying from, understanding their supply chain, supporting brands that are owned by women or with commitments to empowering women is one of the most important ways you can support the fashion industry’s movement towards an equal future.
How is your business contributing to a fairer future for women?
We are a proud partner with Dress For Success, an amazing non-for-profit organization serving women to achieve their economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
As a rental platform, GlamCorner works with majority female owned and operated labels and we’re always working on expanding our range with designers aligned with our social and environmental values.
We also can’t forget our customers who we serve and speak to daily. At GlamCorner we want to give women of all backgrounds, budgets and ages the freedom to be themselves and not held back by social or economic barriers. By continuing to grow our styles, sizes and range we hope to unlock an unlimited wardrobe for women to unleash their creativity and style, all while reducing the amount of new clothes produced that end up in landfill.
What advice would you give young women wanting to get into the fashion industry?
Don’t give up. Just like anything, the fashion industry does require effort, hard work and resilience. What seems like an overnight success, generally has years of hard work behind it so don’t compare yourself to others, you are on your own journey.
Written by Audrey Khaing-Jones
Instagram address: @glamcornerau
Website: www.glamcorner.com.au
