From power suits to bold statements, the evolution of women’s professional style took center stage at the Fashioning Leadership event on March 5 to celebrate women’s progress in business.
Held in the Dee J. Kelly Alumni & Visitors Center, the Neeley School of Business and the Department of Fashion Merchandising worked together to host the event, which highlighted the evolution of women’s business fashion and their growing influence in the workplace.
“Over time, we’ve seen women find their own identity and express themselves in different ways and I truly believe that it has helped us get recognized and a seat at the table and show our value,” Meghan Wright, an assistant professor of management practice at TCU, said.
The event consisted of a fashion show that took the audience through time. Models dressed in the typical women’s business fashion for each decade, starting in the 1960s and moving to the modern day.
While the models walked the runway, Wright talked about the history behind the different styles, women’s presence in the workplace and even different eras of women’s involvement at TCU.
Beyond the runway and inspiring conversations, the event also showcased female entrepreneurship, partnering with a female-owned, local small business.
Iota Modern Vintage, located on Camp Bowie, hosted a pop-up shop at the event. Wright said because of the partnership, the store “has gained a lot more traction on social media and a lot more foot traffic in her store.”
Fashioning Leadership was more than just a showcase of women’s clothing styles; students said it was a testament to the progress women have made in the business world.
