International Women's Day 2026

Conversations

International Women's Day 2026

This International Women’s Day, we’re proud to partner once again with global charity Dress for Success. This year marks seven years of our partnership with Dress for Success. In 2026, we continue to join them on their mission to empower women on the path to a brighter future. Their support programs have played a pivotal role in the lives of women who have experienced hardship, providing them with the tools to help nurture their personal and professional growth.

On Sunday, 8 March 2026, 10% of sales online and in-store  will be donated to Dress for Success.  To celebrate, we explore what International Women’s Day  means to our team at Forever New. Here, they share their unique stories and successes, and the women who have shaped their lives for the better.

Left: Mia, Senior Designer and Faz, Design Manager

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

Mia, Senior Designer: International Women’s Day gives us the chance to acknowledge all the amazing women around us.
Samantha, People & Culture Manager: It’s a time to celebrate the strength, impact and resilience of women everywhere.
Kate, Chadstone Flagship Store Team: Female empowerment. I think that women often get torn down and it is a day where all women can come together and just be.

Left: Steph, Buying Manager and Afira, Head of Buying - Northern Hemisphere

How has your career been shaped by the women you’ve worked with?

Afira, Head of Buying - Northern Hemisphere: My career has been shaped profoundly by the women in my life who modelled resilience, independence, and quiet strength. From watching women balance ambition with empathy, I learned that leadership doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.

Professionally, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside strong female leaders in fashion who taught me to trust my eye, back my decisions and own my space at the table. Personally, the women around me have reminded me that success is not just measured in results, but in relationships and integrity.

Jo, Group Finance General Manager: I’ve worked with lots of fabulous women who have been leaders over the years during my profession. Women are the best promoters of women, and I do everything I can to support and drive that in my team.

Zoe, eCommerce Production Coordinator & Stylist

Dee, Marketing & Brand Specialist

Jo, GM - Group Finance; Samantha, People & Culture Manager and Bea, People Advisor

What outfit makes you feel most confident?

Zoe, eCommerce Production Coordinator & Stylist: A comfy pair of jeans, a baggy T-shirt and sneakers.

Steph, Buying Manager: I love a shirt. Whenever I put a shirt on, no matter what day it is or how I’m feeling, I always feel good about myself. There’s something about the structure and simplicity of a great shirt that instantly makes me feel polished and put-together.

For me, a shirt is versatile. It can be dressed up with heels and statement earrings or worn casually with flats and minimal jewellery. It’s that one piece in my wardrobe that always makes me feel confident, comfortable, and ready for anything.

Mia, Senior Designer: I love a cropped jacket, something with a bit of sleeve coverage. I love a boxy fit and showing just a little bit of leg with a knee-high boot. That’s my perfect outfit.

Samira and Maya, Chadstone Flagship Store Team

How do the women in your team motivate you?

Maya, Chadstone Flagship Store Team: They motivate me by always showing up for me and lending me a hand whenever I need. Everyone helps each other out in the store, which is so lovely. We work together to make a really great team.

Steph, Buying Manager: I work with some incredible women, and they motivate me by caring so much about what we do. They’re so passionate and it really drives me to do my best as well.

Alex, Visual Merchandising

Christina and Kate, Chadstone Flagship Store Team

How do you define a strong and empowered woman?

Afira, Head of Buying - Northern Hemisphere: She is confident in her voice, adaptable in different environments and unafraid to take up space, while remaining grounded in her values.

Shop to donate this International Women’s Day, Sunday 8 March and 10% of sales online and in-store will go to Dress for Success