There are moments when fashion and conversation come together in a way that feels both elevated and meaningful. This month’s World Woman Hour event in San Francisco, hosted by Max Mara in partnership with the World Woman Foundation, was one of those moments.
Held in celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, the gathering brought together a small group of women leaders to reflect on risk, executive presence, and what it means to step into spaces not always designed for us—and redefine them anyway.
The Conversation: Risk, Presence, and Readiness
The discussion centered around three questions:
- What is the boldest risk you’ve taken?
- How do you cultivate executive presence in high-stakes rooms?
- What advice would you give young women about owning space before they feel ready?
Each question reinforced a shared truth: growth rarely happens when we feel fully prepared. More often, it begins in the moments when we choose to step forward anyway.
Style as a Form of Leadership
What made this event particularly compelling was the way it connected personal style with leadership.
For over 75 years, Max Mara has been synonymous with modern power dressing—structured tailoring, refined silhouettes, and a sense of intentional elegance. In that context, style becomes more than aesthetic—it becomes a form of alignment.
How we show up visually can shape how we are perceived, but more importantly, how we feel when we enter a room.
This approach to intentional style is something I’ve explored before in the context of brand storytelling and retail experiences—most recently during my visit to MCM at Valley Fair, where I looked at how personal style and personalization intersect in a different way.
My Capsule: The Intentional Wardrobe
As part of the experience, each speaker was invited to curate a capsule collection reflecting her personal approach to style and leadership.
My edit, The Intentional Wardrobe, is inspired by the same idea that guides my work and my platform, Ten Key Pieces—that thoughtful choices, whether in the spaces we build or the things we wear, can have a lasting impact.
Rather than focusing on more, the approach centers on better:
- pieces that are versatile
- pieces that move across different roles and settings
- pieces that are built to endure
The intention is to create a wardrobe that supports the realities of modern life—work, travel, evenings out—without requiring constant reinvention.
And while the foundation is timeless, there is always space for one element that feels current and personal. Style, after all, should still feel expressive.
The Power of a Curated Edit
Seeing each woman’s curated rack was a reminder that there is no single definition of power dressing.
Each capsule reflected a different perspective:
- how we lead
- how we move through the world
- how we choose to show up
And that individuality is exactly what makes these conversations—and these spaces—so important.
Fashion with Purpose
Following the discussion, guests were invited to shop the curated edits, with 10% of purchases benefiting the World Woman Foundation.
It was a thoughtful way to connect the experience back to impact—supporting an organization dedicated to advancing women’s leadership and economic empowerment globally.
Final Thoughts
Events like this serve as a reminder that leadership doesn’t exist in isolation.
It shows up in:
- the risks we take
- the rooms we choose to enter
- the way we carry ourselves once we’re there
And sometimes, it shows up in something as simple—and as powerful—as getting dressed with intention.
Photo Credits
Mahelly Ferreira for Drew Altizer Photography
