Every day is women’s day if you ask us, but according to the calendar – it’s tomorrow, March 8th that is known as International Women’s Day. Originally a Russian women’s suffrage national holiday that dates back to 1917, IWD was adopted by the USA in 1975 and since become known as such all around the world. This year, forget about flowers and do it a bit better. Here, we bring you 10 alternative ways to celebrate the incredible beings that are women. With pure joy and utter fabulosity – this is International Women’s Day, the 10 Way.
Norma Kamali at the V&A
An innovator, an inventor and an all-round life inspiration, Norma Kamali is a woman that’s worth listening to. The cult NYC fashion designer has been changing the face of industry since the disco nights at Studio 54, equally known for her sleeping bag coat as well as the signature high-cut swimsuits. The icon that is Kamali is celebrating Women’s day in London, and will be part of the next in the In Conversation series at the Victoria & Albert Museum. Booking is still opened so be quick, snag a ticket and join the fashion designer at the V&A on Friday at 7pm. Dino Bonacic
Gurls Talk at the Boiler Room
A little party never killed nobody, and what better way to sound off your International Women’s Day than with Adwoa Aboah. Fresh from becoming Barbie-fied for the toy company’s 60th anniversary (which also happens to fall on IWD), the supermodel’s online platform Gurls Talk is partnering up with the music live streaming platform for one night only. And what a line-up the pairing have whisked up. Best British Female Solo Artist winner at last month’s Brit Awards, Jorja Smith, is bound to blissfully set the night with her signature sensual bravado. Whilst North London hip-pop talent, Little Simz, is set to perform tracks from her brand new album GREY Area. Sign up and get checking your emails to see if you’re on the list. Paul Toner
NAP is By Women, For Women
Net-A-Porter celebrates International Women’s Day in collaboration with Women for Women International, a nonprofit organisation that equips women from countries affected by war in rebuilding confidence. Offering support, maximising marketable job skills, but also providing courses on legislature, from voting, to domestic. Following their 2018 initiative Net-A-Porter and Women for Women International have commissioned 6 female designers to create exclusive t-shirts to honour of the day. The proceeds will go towards the organisation and the works that they are doing in the betterment of women globally. Victoria Beckham, Ellery, Alexa Chung, Perfect Moment, Isabel Marant and Rosie Asoulin were tasked to create t-shirts emblematic of their interpretations of female bravery and empowerment. The results: shoppable and brilliant. Connie Lombaya
EVE Women’s Pro-Wrestling
If you find watching GLOW on Netflix just a bit too vanilla, this one’s for you. The best-known all-women’s pro-wrestling company EVE is holding a special International Women’s Day event at the Resistance Gallery in London. Kicking each other as well as gender stereotypes, the badass bitches of Eve will be getting us from our seats and cheering like there’s no tomorrow. Make sure to warm up your vocal chords and break out your best wrestling fashion look, and head to the Resistance Gallery in Bethnal Green. On from 7.30pm both on Friday and Saturday – make sure to book online. DB
Jazz Cafe and gal-dem Present: Madison McFerrin, S4U, Raheaven
It’s a Gal-dem link up this weekend at the Jazz cafe as the women behind the independant feminist magazine host a newcomers gig featuring a female heavy lineup of musician from the UK and stateside. Madison McFerrin is a Brooklyn based singer-songwriter exploring the wonders of divine femininity from her alt – R’n’B and soul tracks. Joined by London R&B collective S4U and singer Raheaven with a voice to ignite all of Raphael’s cherubs, the night is set to be fulfilled night of women occupying a space that many greats like Amy Winehouse has before them. So head on down to hearty Camden, and shake a leg. We definitely will. Book now or regret later. CL
Jersey Girls
We’ve got a game changer here. Camden Town Brewery and Camden Town FC’s local women’s team have joined forces to create the “world’s first football kit work of art”. Designed by Camden resident Bodil Jane, the illustrator has picked four rather ground-breaking ladies to front the jersey’s motif. Sculptor Dame Barbara Hepworth DBE and suffragist Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett GBE sit alongside authors Sylvia Plath and Bunchi Emencheta. Not only are the shirts available to purchase at Camden Town Brewery’s bar, but all profits the bar makes up until March 10 will be donated to charity. You never had a better excuse to head to a pub. PT
Megan Markle talks to Annie Lennox & Adwoa Aboah
Empowered women, empowering women. Perhaps a panel discussion consisting of all of our faves. The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, whose philanthropical work has remained with women at its core, is joined by Adwoa Aboah, model and founder of an online community helping women Gurl Talk and Grammy Award-winning Annie Lennox to name but a few. Many more will be participating in the event taking place at London’s King’s College University this Friday and, unfortunately, won’t be accessible by public. However – do pay attention to the Queen’s CW Trust Twitter account who will be putting together a full edit of the discussion on a range of issues affecting women today. CL
All-Female Emmerdale
Whether or not you’re living that soap life, Emmerdale should be on your radar this week. Celebrating female on screen and behind the camera, this Friday’s episode of the Yorkshire-set soap opera will be written, directed and produced by women, with an entire female cast as well as almost an entire female crew. And without knowing too much about what happened last time (are Debbie and Charity still besties?), it’s safe to say this will be full of plot twists and turns, and perhaps the most budget-friendly way to spend your Friday eve. Tune in at 7pm on ITV. DB
Solange’s When I Get Home
For IWD it’s all about channelling your inner self. A moment to reflect, unwind and take two steps back. You deserve it. And Solange’s brand new album When I Get Home is the perfect soundtrack for a day of self-care. Nineteen tracks long, languid in pace, Knowles’ fourth album is a crafted self-exploration, an unhurried record infused with spacey jazz and ethereal synths, that has been on repeat at Ten Towers since it was released last Friday. Tracks like “Way to the Show” and “Binz” have injected some much needed serotonin into a very sombre – post fashion month – Ten Towers. The record is accompanied by a self-directed short film. A 33 minute-long hometown glory, an ode to all things Houston, packed with cowboys, horses and some female welders – available for your viewing pleasure on Apple Music right now. PT
Glossier Play
Founded by Emily Weiss back in 2014, Glossier broke all the archaic standards of the beauty industry by putting focus on looking natural and feeling great by highlighting the best aspects of yourself. And its financial success followed, making it a multi-million dollar business. Now, the neutral world of Glossier is getting a technicolour makeover as they launch Glossier Play, a line of colourful beauty essentials that further the notion of unabashed self-expression. Go wild today and get yourself a set of glitter, neon and shine – nothing beats supporting a female business by looking amazing, regardless of who you are. Shop online. DB
