On Friday September 27, 100 new members will be inducted into The BoF 500 — the definitive index of the people shaping the global fashion industry.
To mark the occasion we profiled five inspiring members of this talented community who have achieved global success on the business and creative sides of the fashion industry, as well as at the growing intersections between fashion, film and sports.
In her pioneering work on what drives long-term success, the McArthur “genius” grant winner, author and researcher Angela Duckworth found that one characteristic mattered most. “It wasn’t social intelligence. It wasn’t good looks, physical health, and it wasn’t IQ,” she said in her 2013 TED talk. “It was grit. Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month — but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality.”
Indeed, each of our cover stars has found success — in their own way, on their own terms, often along winding and circuitous paths — and yes, demonstrating grit in the face of countless setbacks and challenges along the way.
Now, they are embarking on new chapters in their careers, which we discuss with them in depth.
- Alessandro Michele worked for years in the backrooms of Gucci, only to find public success co-piloting the brand’s blockbuster turnaround as its star creative director later in life. Now, after a hiatus from fashion, he’s bringing a new vision to the Roman couture house Valentino.
- Actress Michelle Yeoh had an almost four decade career in film before her triumph as laundromat owner Evelyn Wang in “Everything Everywhere All At Once” made her, at the age of 60, the first Asian woman ever to win an Oscar, turning her into a global style icon and ambassador to brands like Balenciaga.
- Francesca Bellettini started her career in investment banking before steadily rising up fashion’s executive ranks. Now, after a successful tenure at Saint Laurent, she’s helping to steer owner Kering’s turnaround as co-deputy CEO of the group — and possible successor to chairman François-Henri Pinault — making her the most powerful woman in the business of luxury fashion.
- Zac Posen set up his own label in New York at a very young age was called an overnight success only to lose his way — and his trademark. Now, seven months into his tenure as Gap Inc.’s creative lead, there’s early evidence that his efforts to re-energise the company’s flagship brand are delivering results.
- As a rising basketball star, Angel Reese was a force on and off the court. Now, she’s become one of the first breakout stars of the WNBA, pushing viewership to all-time highs and making waves in the fashion industry with her fierce looks, from “tunnel walks” to the Met Gala.
Each of their stories resonated with me personally, but in addition to grit — there was another key takeaway that stood out to me: in order to find success and open a new chapter in their careers, they first had to find freedom — freedom to be themselves, freedom to make their own choices and freedom to express their creativity and business acumen.
Stay tuned for our BoF 500 Cover Stories this week and next.
This Friday September 27, 100 new members will be inducted into The BoF 500 — the definitive index of the people shaping the global fashion industry. Sign up to The Daily Digest Newsletter to be the first to know.
Ignasi Monreal is an artist from Barcelona working in painting, installation, scenography, digital art and animation. He was commissioned to paint special portraits of BoF 500 cover stars Alessandro Michele, Francesca Bellettini, Michelle Yeoh, Zac Posen and Angel Reese.
