Stepping Into Your Power: Ares X Dress for Success Greater London

We want to say a huge thank you to the Ares Network of Empowered Women (ANEW), Nora Contemporary and Jimmy Choo, who organised a charity raffle in support of Dress for Success Greater London on Wednesday 5 November.

Taking place at the Jimmy Choo Mayfair flagship store, the event was hosted by inspiring women from the world of fashion, finance and art. It included a panel discussion that highlighted the importance of inner confidence and mentorship when it comes to achieving gender equality in the workplace.

Panellist and Vice President of Direct Lending at Ares Management Corporation, Jennifer Hoang, spoke about authenticity as a route to gaining confidence, particularly in male-dominated spaces. ‘Confidence is about being at ease and being yourself,’ she told us.

When asked what advice she’d give to her younger self, Hoang said, ‘know that your voice and your perspective matters.’ It can be easy to forget this, especially for those women whose lives haven’t been easy. When we talk about ‘dressing women from the inside out,’ this is what we mean: we help women to find their voice and see their value.

Indeed, confidence is all about stepping into your power (apt, then, that we were surrounded by such beautiful shoes!). Chief Client Officer at Jimmy Choo, Helene Phillips, spoke about this, reminding us to, 'have the confidence and strength to seize opportunities.'

Each of the panellists also recognised the value of mentorship for women at every stage of their career. Advocacy is woven into the fabric of what we do here at Dress for Success Greater London. We recognise that women need ongoing support, even after they’ve secured employment, to really thrive in their professional lives. But advocacy is also a way for us to achieve gender parity because, when we lift each other up, we collectively benefit.

The evening spoke to female solidarity and collective empowerment, leaving us all with inspiring messages to take home. Thanks to the generosity of the event’s organisers and attendees, we raised funds to be able to help more unemployed women build the future they deserve.