BY JAY AQUINO

Who runs the world? Girls! 

UPTOWNMAN proudly presents the ten most inspiring women in fashion. Over the next ten days, we'll be spotlighting each of these remarkable individuals who continually inspire us. Stay tuned as we celebrate these extraordinary women who inspire us to strive for excellence every day and the profound impact they've had on our work.

Heart Evangelista

Know professionally as Heart Evangelista, Love Marie Ongpauco Escudero is an actress, entrepreneur, and global fashion icon. She is a front-row fixture at Fashion Week, known for her impeccable style. She recently started a YouTube series, I Am Heart, where she shows the intimate moments of her life. She made our list not just because of her style but also for her resilience in navigating personal and professional challenges with unwavering strength.

Photo credit: Edward Berthelot, Heart Evangelista

Gabriella Karefa - Johnson

A New York-based stylist and former Global Contributing Fashion Editor-At-Large for Vogue US, Gabriella champions diversity in fashion through her narrative-driven approach. Some of her iconic work includes the September issue 2022 of Vogue US, featuring Serena Williams, and the November 2021 issue of Vogue France, featuring Naya Akamura. For quite some time now, we've been avidly following Gabriella's work, finding inspiration in her creativity every single day.

Photo credit: Style Du Monde, Gabriella Karefa - Johnson

Annika Nielsen

Annike is a model based in Melbourne, Australia, with over 100,000 Instagram followers. An advocate for size-inclusivity and sustainable fashion, she shares styling tips and promotes ethical shopping practices, aiming to redefine beauty standards and promote a more inclusive industry. With aspirations to grace the runway herself one day, Annika is dedicated to reshaping the fashion industry.

Photo credit: Annike Nielsen

Eva Chen

As Director of Fashion Partnerships at Instagram and former Editor-in-Chief of Lucky Magazine, Eva is known as one of the industry’s powerhouses. She is also the author of some of the best children’s books today, such as Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes, Roxy the Last Unisaurus Rex, and I Am Golden.

Photo credit: Marts Romero, Eva Chen

Tamu McPherson

Founder of fashion and lifestyle magazine, All The Pretty Birds and e-commerce store Shoe Up For Justice, McPherson is a prominent figure in the fashion industry. She is also Bulgari’s Corporate Social Responsibility Ambassador, where she led Bulgari’s Save The Children Initiative. According to Harper’s Bazaar, in 2022, Tamu worked with local art consultants in California and Texas to engage more than 1200 children in a “World Of Wonder” art project where they were asked to use watercolor to express what “World of Wonder” means to them on canvas. 

Photo credit: 711 Hu Marianna, Tamu McPherson

Priya Ahluwalia

Founder and designer of the award-winning menswear brand Ahluwalia, Priya draws inspiration from her Indian-Nigerian heritage and London roots. Her innovative approach to fashion, utilizing vintage and surplus clothing while supporting fair labor practices, highlights her commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

Photo credit: Priya Ahluwalia

Sinéad Burke

Sinéad Burke, a lecturer, and activist based in Dublin, spearheads the movement for disability representation in fashion. As Chief Executive Officer of the consulting firm Tilting The Lens, she leads efforts to assist global brands in implementing more accessible practices across various facets of their operations. Notably, Sinéad made history in 2019 as the first little person to grace the cover of any Vogue magazine, a feat she repeated in May 2023. Her unwavering passion for making the fashion industry more diverse and accessible to people with disabilities is truly commendable.

Photo credit: Adama Jalloh, Vogue, Sinéad Burke

Victoria Beckham

From Spice Girl to esteemed fashion designer, Victoria Beckham's eponymous brand embodies modern sophistication. Renowned for its versatile and wearable pieces, her label has become synonymous with contemporary elegance.

Photo credit: Victoria Beckham

Anna Wintour

Anna Wintour, the Editor-In-Chief of Vogue USA since 1988, stands as a titan in the fashion world. Her visionary leadership and unyielding passion have made an enduring impact, motivating countless individuals to pursue their aspirations in the industry. For those eager to glean wisdom from her expertise, we highly recommend subscribing to Masterclass and exploring her insightful lessons.

Photo credit: Style Du Monde

Camille Co-Koro

Manila-based fashion designer turned content creator, Camille Co's influence extends far beyond her 616,000 Instagram followers. Named one of Asia’s Most Stylish by Tatler Magazine, her genuine love for fashion shines through in her engaging content, captivating audiences worldwide.

Photo credit: Style Du Monde