Women's Fashion & Design Week, powered by The Wonder Woman Initiative, kicked off Miami Beach's celebration of Women's History Month in style. The week began with a powerful workshop, "Threads of Hope," held at The Lotus House Women's shelter in Miami. Here, residents – women facing various challenges – explored design, life, and entrepreneurship skills. The workshop highlighted the healing power of creativity and the importance of exploring craft as a healing tool.
Quotes that Inspire
"We witnessed the vibrant hope that burns within these women," shared Tayo Ishola-Aranmolate, Founder & Producer of the Initiative. "It's a powerful reminder why empowering women is a constant call to action."
Ayana K. Harper, Associate Fashion Show Producer, described her experience as "life-changing," while designer Ashlee Monroe of MoLuxe aimed to inspire the women with her story of overcoming personal challenges.
Press, Media & Changemakers Meet and Greet
A day before the main showcase, guests got meet up for an International Women's Day celebration at the Angler's Hotel in South Beach.
The Main Event
The main event, hosted by Victoria Vesce and Christine Handy, took place at The Betsy Hotel on Saturday night, March 9th. The evening featured performances by Marsha Elle & Stichiz, followed by a showcase of designers and boutiques including La Peony Clothing, I Am Eido, MoLuxe, IRA Bikinis, House Twenty Two, and more.
Design Your Path Panel
One of the event's highlight was the "Design Your Path" panel discussion.
Moderated by Tayo Ishola-Aranmolate, the panel featured inspiring changemakers:
Dr. Laura Purdy: A physician and trailblazer in digital healthcare, empowering patients and shaping the future of telehealth.
Gloria Ward: An entrepreneur, strategist, and author, igniting self-love and business growth in women globally.
Melony Huber: Founder of La Peony Clothing, championing ethical luxury fashion and empowering global artisans.
David Octavio Gandell: A two-time cancer survivor, TEDx speaker, and Women's Breakthrough coach, inspiring women to find purpose.
Performances
The performances kicked off with a powerful demonstration by model/dancer Emma Enemor. Her captivating act offered a soul-stirring glimpse into the essence of Women's Fashion and Design Week.
Next, singer-songwriter and bionic model Marsha Elle took the stage. Her hit single "I Am Beautiful" inspired guests with a message of self-affirmation, reminding everyone to embrace their beauty, imperfections and all.
Keeping the energy high, musician and on-air radio host Stichiz delivered a showstopping performance during halftime. Her hit song "Big Screen" served as a powerful reminder to never give up on chasing your dreams.
Awards
The evening concluded with an awards ceremony, with Wonder Woman Initiative awards presented by City of Miami Beach Commissioner, Laura Dominguez, as well as Carmeta Sealy, Christine Handy, and David Octavio Gandell.
Celebrating Women of Influence
Wrapping up the week was a Women of Influence brunch at Fabel Miami, featuring Global Business/Celebrity Strategist, Nina Vargas, the Wonder Woman Initiative's 2024 Honoress, and other iconic individuals.
This year's Honorees included:
Caitlin Spears: Founder of Complete By Caitlin, empowering individuals towards health, confidence, and self-realization.
Alicia Tulsee: Founder of Moxie Scrubs, disrupting the medical apparel market for nurses.
Dr. Janae Finley: Assistant Clinical Director at TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, advocating for equitable healthcare access.
Beatrice Louissaint: President and CEO of the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council, supporting minority businesses.
Looking Forward
The Wonder Woman Initiative continues its mission, currently filming a documentary highlighting Changemakers from around the world, including key figures who participated in Women's Fashion and Design Week. The documentary is expected to be released later this year.