About the Event

Fashion is one of the most powerful global industries, and women are at the heart of it. From garment workers to entrepreneurs, women shape the labor, culture, and consumption that drive fashion forward. Yet, they’ve historically been excluded from the economic and ethical decision-making that defines the industry’s impact.

In this conversation moderated by Rebecca Ballard, founder of The Fashion Connection, renowned designer Tracy Reese and journalist Whitney Bauck will explore the ways women are reclaiming economic agency in fashion by founding sustainable businesses, advocating for labor rights, and redefining ethical fashion from the ground up. They’ll discuss the intersection of sustainability and economy, showing how women’s creative practices can disrupt exploitative systems and reimagine the future of fashion. Rather than treating sustainability as a consumer trend, this program positions it as a framework for justice, care, and equity, led by women who are transforming the fashion industry into a more accountable and inclusive space.

Following the conversation, attendees are invited to a salon-style cocktail reception to continue the conversation from 7 to 8 pm.