When women support each other, incredible things can happen. Nowhere was that more evident than at the 2025 Power of Women event, hosted by Dress for Success Greater London earlier this spring

Held at Blue Orchid Hospitality’s The Skyline London, the event marked a decade of empowering women and advancing resilience, leadership, and progress. It was night of awards and also a call to action, echoing this year’s International Women’s Day theme: #AccelerateAction.

Power of the collective
Women have historically faced systemic obstacles in business, leadership, and the workplace. Despite being the backbone of countless industries, they’ve often been under-represented in decision-making roles and undervalued for their contributions. But the tide is turning.
At the heart of this shift is women empowering women, a force that was palpable during the awards. In her opening remarks, Juanita Ingram, founder and chair of Dress for Success Greater

London, reminded the audience that empowering women isn’t just about opening doors – it’s about walking through them together. “This is more than a celebration. It’s a movement,” Ingram declared. “Progress doesn’t just happen – we make it happen. And when women succeed, communities, businesses and economies succeed.”

Ingram’s words resonated with the room, filled with trailblazers like Lord Simon Woolley, who has spent his career advocating for equality, and Kate Garraway, whose work has shone a spotlight on the challenges faced by carers.

Breaking barriers
Women in business were at the forefront of the evening. Hannah Colman, chief executive of Jimmy Choo, was honoured for her leadership in luxury fashion. As one of the brand’s founding members, her journey from assistant store manager to company boss is a testament to perseverance, vision, and the power of representation.

The efforts of Esi Eggleston Bracey, Unilever’s chief growth and marketing officer, to champion diversity and inclusivity in the beauty industry have altered the way we think about representation.

Visionary
Her visionary approach to corporate leadership and healthcare innovation was celebrated as she pursues new technologies and innovations within healthcare, focusing on making healthcare accessible to all.

These women’s leadership exemplifies the confidence, skills, and opportunity that Dress for Success has been championing for the past decade.

Women supporting women
One of the most moving moments of the night came when Toni-Ann Gurdon, a former client of Dress for Success, took the stage. Recognised as a Global Ambassador for Dress for Success Worldwide, Toni-Ann’s journey from seeking support to advocating for women globally encapsulates the power of the collective. “When women are empowered, they lift others with them,” she said. “It’s not about competition; it’s about collaboration. It’s about knowing that every woman’s success is a win for all of us.”

Corporate and community champions
The evening also celebrated organisations driving progress and creating lasting change. Blue Orchid Hospitality, the host of the event and recipient of the Corporate Partner of the Year Award, has been instrumental in helping Dress for Success empower women across Greater London. Through their support of vital initiatives, they’ve demonstrated that businesses can be a force for good, creating opportunities that have a lasting impact.

At the helm of Blue Orchid Hospitality is Tony Matharu, a distinguished entrepreneur and philanthropist (and LCCI Board member and Asian Business Association chair) whose contributions extend far beyond the hospitality industry, creating better futures for those most in need.

Equally inspiring was the recognition of the Central London Alliance (CLA), winner of the Community Impact Award. Under the leadership of director Nadia Perrier, CLA has driven London’s economic recovery through initiatives including the London Love Affair campaign, which generated a £10.1 million boost to the capital’s economy, to a city-wide sports festival that engaged over 10,000 participants.

Mandate for change
The message of the evening was clear: the fight for equality is far from over, but progress is accelerating. Women are not just demanding a seat at the table – they are building their own.
Just as Dress for Success has spent the last decade equipping women with the skills, tools, and confidence to thrive, this year’s International Women’s Day theme reminds us that there is still work to be done. #AccelerateAction is not just a call — it could be considered a responsibility.

www.dressforsuccessgl.org