Barclaycard Everywoman in Retail Awards 2018

On the 13th September 2018, I attended the Barclaycard Everywoman in Retail Awards. I was so honoured to be shortlisted as a finalist for the Innovator of the year category. The event was held at East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, I was so excited to catch up with everyone following the interviews, as Everywoman is truly such a heart warming and welcoming community, I was so excited to be able to celebrate with everyone. 

One of my absolute highlights was meeting the other finalists including Emma Bartholomeou, Senior Corporate Responsibility Manager at ASOS. Emma and the ASOS team made me feel so welcome and it was such a joy to hear about her incredible work with the Prince's Trust too. I also got to sit next to Amanda Johnson the owner of Elsie’s Attic and her husband, it was amazing to hear how they have grown their business from a start up.

For the awards, I designed The 'Ada' top- a floral lace bodice, which I wore with the Elizabeth skirt in pink made by Jacky and Barbara our amazing pattern cutter and dressmaker in Manchester using dead-stock fabric. I chose ‘Ada’ inspired by the first computer programmer, innovator and role model Ada Lovelace. 

I am so grateful for the wonderful support ever since and the chance to meet so many phenomenal women. I am so excited to follow the stories of this year’s finalists and remarkable role models to continue to strive for equality and diversity in the retail sector.

The judges included incredible senior women from Stella McCartney, Burberry, Tesco, Specsavers and Amazon. Please take a look at all the winners of the awards here and please nominate if you can, it really means a lot to those nominated and we can continue to push for equality together! 

@everywomanuk