From empowered women who have single-handedly built their brands to mothers who oversee large-scale operations within their respective domains, they have become prominent figures in the world of luxury and business. Dubbed “mumpreneurs”, these women have made significant contributions to their respective industries and have leveraged their wealth and influence to pursue entrepreneurial endeavours beyond the fashion, beauty and luxury sectors. As Mother’s Day approaches, it is time to celebrate the remarkable women who balance the roles of motherhood and entrepreneurship with elegance, determination, and creativity.
These trailblazing mumpreneurs are not just nurturing their families; they’re also building empires, disrupting industries, and leaving an indelible mark on the world of business. From fashion moguls to beauty innovators, LUXUO celebrates the inspiring stories, achievements, and contributions of these extraordinary mumpreneurs who prove that motherhood and entrepreneurship are not mutually exclusive.
Fashion Industry
Donatella Versace
After the death of her late brother Gianni Versace in 1997, Donatella Versace helmed the brand as the chief creative officer of Versace. She continues to play a significant role as the late Gianni Versace’s successor and has successfully shaped and grown the Versace empire we know it to be today. It was of course, during her reign that the infamous green Versace dress worn by Jennifer Lopez in 1999 led to the creation of Google Images. The new era of the Versace brand blends sultry femininity with bold empowerment. The mother of two stays true to the brand’s identity, maintaining its core values and status as a leading luxury fashion house.
Natalie Massenet
Natalie Massenet is the founder of the luxury fashion e-commerce platform Net-a-Porter; co-founder of venture capital firm, Imaginary Ventures; the non-executive co-chairman at Farfetch and a mother of three. She is known for revolutionising the way people consume luxury fashion, paving the way for e-retailers, and pushing luxury fashion online resulting in her being a trailblazer in the industry. She also served as the chairman of the British Fashion Council from 2013 to 2017 overseeing London Fashion Week and other council activities during her three-year term.
Victoria Beckham
Victoria Beckham successfully made the transition from a member of the Spice Girls, one of the biggest girl groups of all time to renowned a fashion designer whose brand is leading the trend on “quiet luxury”. In fact, Beckham rejected the chance to join the return of the Spice Girls to focus on her fashion pursuits — a power move in itself. Beyond being the wife of famed footballer David Beckham and mom to four children, she has built her eponymous fashion brand and has become a respected figure in the fashion industry. She was also appointed as an OBE in the 2017 New Year Honours for her services to the fashion industry in addition to her label being named Designer Brand of the Year in 2011.
Sara Blakely
Sara Blakely is the woman who founded Spnax. Aside from being the founder of the widely-used intimate wear brand, Spanx, Blakely is a mother of four and a self-made billionaire. The “mumprenuer” was the youngest self-made female to make it on the Forbes World’s Billionaires list and TIME’s prestigious list of 100 Most Influential People. In addition to owning a billion-dollar company, she now teaches entrepreneurship classes to share her knowledge with aspiring businesswomen.
Beauty & Cosmetics Industry
Gucci Westman
Gucci Westman is a renowned makeup artist and the founder of Westman Atelier, a luxury clean beauty brand. She is also a mother of three children and has been nurturing an influential presence within the beauty industry. Westman has extensive experience in the industry who started out working on film sets and numerous runway shows which then propelled her to opportunities at huge brands where she served as artistic director at Lancôme and as global artistic director at Revlon.
Huda Kattan
Huda Kattan is an American makeup artist, beauty blogger, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of the cosmetics line Huda Beauty and was named one of the “top ten most powerful influencers in the beauty industry” by Forbes and was listed on Fortune’s 40 under 40. Huda Beauty has managed to maintain their status as one of social media’s top beauty brands and continues to be one of the major players in the beauty industry, owning her space among other industry giants.
Sylvie Chantecaille
Sylvie Chantecaille is the founder of the eponymous luxury skincare, Chantecaille, specialising in modern botanical skincare and cosmetics. Her company integrates science and technology to produce plant-powered products. The company is very much a family-run affair with her daughter in the role of creative director. Sylvie Chantecaille has also incorporated philanthropy into the ethos of her brand, launching numerous charitable initiatives to support wildlife conservation, environmental protection, and humanitarian causes. Chantecaille Beauté regularly collaborates with conservation organisations and donates a portion of its proceeds to charitable projects, raising awareness and funds for important global issues.
Luxury & Personality
Alannah Weston
Alannah Weston is the chairwoman of Selfridges Group, which owns and operates luxury department stores including Selfridges in the UK, Brown Thomas in Ireland, and Holt Renfrew in Canada. Under her leadership, Selfridges has continued to expand and innovate, making her a significant figure in the luxury retail sector. Through her leadership at Selfridges Group, she has transformed the way people perceive and engage with luxury brands, championing innovation, sustainability, and community engagement as pillars of the modern luxury experience.
Tamara Ecclestone
Tamara Ecclestone is a British socialite, television personality, and heiress to the Formula One racing fortune through her father, Bernie Ecclestone. She has leveraged her wealth and influence to launch various business ventures, including her own skincare line, SHOW Beauty, and a range of children’s products under the brand Fifi & Friends. Her foray into business demonstrates her entrepreneurial spirit and her ability to leverage her personal brand to create successful ventures in the luxury market. Through her personal brand and business ventures, she continues to shape perceptions of luxury and inspire others to embrace a life of elegance, sophistication, and generosity.
Georgina Bloomberg
Georgina Bloomberg is an American equestrian, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. She is the daughter of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and has made a name for herself in the equestrian world, competing at high levels as a professional showjumper. She founded the equestrian apparel brand, The Rider’s Closet and is the chair of Humane Generation for the Humane Society of the United States.
Vineeta Singh
Co-founder and CEO of SUGAR Cosmetics, and a television “Shark”, Vineeta Singh is a permanent fixture on the business reality show Shark Tank India, and mother of two. Co-founded with her husband, Kaushik Mukherjee, Sugar Cosmetics manufactures products aimed at the Indian market, making products to cater to consumers with diverse skin tones. Her many achievements landed her on the covers of prestigious publications such as Forbes India, Business Today, and Businessworld.
These women have leveraged their backgrounds, resources, and networks to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors in various sectors of the luxury industry, contributing to their respective fields and leaving a mark on the business world, all while committing to their role as mothers and nurturing the next generation of tomorrow. Being successful with grace and elegance on so many fronts is no easy feat, and one we should all celebrate.
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