10 Female-Founded Brands To Support During Women's History Month
Rodial Beauty founder Maria Hatzistefanis at SIMPLY NYC
A version of this story first appeared on Forbes.com
In celebration of Women's History Month, we wanted to highlight some female-founded brands in the fashion and beauty space. Between up-and-coming indie brands and established designers, there are so many talented women out there with incredible brands, so be sure to support your favorite female entrepreneurs today and every day!
Here are 10 woman-owned businesses you should have on your radar:
1. MISA Los Angeles
Founded by Shadi Askari-Farhat
MISA designer Shadi was inspired by a world traveller lifestyle when she launched her clothing line. In just over two years, MISA Los Angeles has catapulted to great success, and counts celebs like Gigi Hadid and Olivia Palermo as fans.
Shop MISA Los Angeles:
2. NuMe Hair Tools
Founded by Sabrina Maren
German-born Sabrina Maren is no stranger to hair struggles, so she joined the hair tools industry in order to find solutions for dreaded bad hair days. After helping other companies innovate their designs, she launched NuMe in 2009. The brand now sells over 200 products that help women achieve salon-worthy hairstyles at home.
Shop Nume Hair tools:
3. Tata Harper Skincare
Founded By Tata Harper
When Tata Harper had trouble finding high-quality, organic skincare products that worked, she set off and created them herself. Her namesake skincare line is full of all-natural beauty products that are truly effective. Her dedication to perfecting every formula is what makes this skincare line so incredible.
Shop Tata Harper Skincare:
4. Anine Bing
Founded By Anine Bing
Before launching her eponymous line, Anine Bing was a model and blogger, so she knows a thing or two about off-duty style. Her brand features relaxed fashion girl favorites: oversize blazers, edgy leather jackets, dainty silk camisoles, and so on. Her designs are versatile, timeless, and oh so cool.
Shop Anine Bing:
5. Raven + Lily
Founded by Kristen Dickerson
Founded by a woman and dedicated to helping at-risk women, Raven + Lily is a great brand to support on International Women's Day. The brand employs women from around the world and provides them with fair wages and help them break the cycle of poverty. And today, Raven + Lily will match all sales and donate those proceeds to the Los Angeles Downtown Women's Shelter's vocational training program.
6. Rodial Beauty
Founded by Maria Hatzistefanis
When Maria Hatzistefanis spoke at my SIMPLY NYC Conference, I was absolutely blown away by her story. Maria is the definition of a go-getter, and her dedication to building up Rodial over the years shows. The skincare and makeup brand is known worldwide, and Maria has tapped into the power of social media marketing to ensure long-lasting success.
Shop Rodial Beauty:
7. Flynn Skye
Founded by Amber Farr
Designer Amber Farr named her clothing brand after her daughter, Flynn, and is always inspired by her daughter's free-spirited personality and limitless imagination. Flynn Skye is a go to brand for the California girl with a bit of an urban edge. Because Amber is inspired by her California roots and all about empowering her local community, all the clothes are designed and manufactured in Los Angeles.
Shop Flynn Skye
8. Valfre
Founded By Ilse Valfre
Three years ago, Mexican-born artist Ilse Valfré was working as a Montessori school teacher. Now her accessories and apparel brand can be found all over the world and in stores like Urban Outfitters and Nordstrom. Her brand features cute illustrations and feminine styles with girl power attitude, making it the perfect brand to support on International Women's Day.
Shop Valfre
9. Chan Luu
Founded By Chan Luu
Jewelry designer Chan Luu grew up in Vietnam, studied in Boston, and now lives in Los Angeles. Her jewelry line reflects her worldly travels, using elements from jewelry all over the world to create pieces that are beautiful and unique. Since launching the brand in 1996, Chan has expanded her line to include scarves, apparel, and jewelry for men and women.
Shop Chan Luu
10. Cult Gaia
Founded by Jasmin Larian
Cult Gaia creator Jasmin Larian wanted to create wearable art objects, and she has definitely achieved that goal with her inventive purse designs. Larian founded the brand in 2012, but in the past two years the brand has really expanded, thanks to the countless Instagram influencers who toted this purse. Now Cult Gaia has a full line of vacation-ready apparel, and the purses continue to be amazing season after season.