Versace Breathes New Life Into the Word ‘Icon’

“One of the things I’ve observed — and it’s been backed up by evidence — is that women often get talked over, especially when they’re not in positions of power. One thing I do and think is important to do is that whenever there is another woman at the table, especially if she’s in a position of less power than me, I always make sure she has a chance to say what’s on her mind. I try to always make sure that she’s able to share her ideas, and try to make sure she knows she’s a valuable part of the process.” Anne Hathaway, Academy Award–winning actress

“For a film I was offered, the producers couldn’t figure out how to pay me. I said, ‘I’d like to have a meeting with the producer, and I would like to let him know exactly who I am.’ We had a wonderful conversation. In that moment, I think I spoke for myself and a lot of other women just like me. At the end of it, there was silence. Then he said, ‘I’m so sorry. I never thought of it that way.’ And this happened not too long ago — how about that?” Sheryl Lee Ralph, Emmy Award–winning actress

“I’ve actually been thinking about this a lot lately. I’m going to keep it real: At this stage in my life, a lot of women I know are struggling with relationships, divorce, parenting, burnout at work, caretaking, and even loneliness. We’ve endured so much since the pandemic, and I think we’re experiencing a crisis of loneliness. People are craving meaningful connection. So for me, it’s all about being an empathetic listener and spending spending real quality time with the women in my life. You have to be intentional.” Meena Harris, author and activist

“About two years ago, I got second-degree burns on my shoulder during a photo shoot because the stylist’s assistants steamed the garment while I was wearing it. I had to stand up for myself in that moment. I worked the whole shoot because I’m a professional. But afterwards, I wanted to talk about what happened because I wanted to make sure it never happened to anyone else again. I learned it’s important to speak up about my needs and what will make me feel comfortable.” Aaron Rose Philip, model

“I show up for women every day that I show up as my most authentic self as a trans woman. Being able to live in your authenticity as a trans woman opens up the opportunity for so many people to be living in their own authenticity as well. Just by existing as myself and watching my sisters — who are fighting the same fight that I am — exist as their truest self, I think we’re fighting for each other. If we could all hold space for everyone to be who they are and not judge them, we would get to live in such a beautiful world.” Nykita Joy, model and makeup artist

“I feel most powerful after I really center myself and have a good, deep meditation. When I’m connected to my body, that’s when I feel safe but also adventurous and powerful.” Marisa Tomei, Academy Award–winning actress

“I’ve been working with a career coach to help me stand up for myself at work and learn how to say no to things that I don’t have the capacity for. In the art world, reputation is everything. So I’ve always been terrified that if I stand up for myself (even if I’m in the right), it would hurt my reputation. I’ve had to get over that and realize that having the reputation of being a pushover isn’t a good thing either. I can’t run a business by saying yes to things that I shouldn’t be saying yes to.” Hannah Traore, gallerist 

“I will always hold close to my heart speaking at the Brooklyn Liberation March in 2020. We were fighting for Black trans lives, and we had a crowd of upwards of 20,000 folks there, so that was exciting. As it was happening, it felt historic. It was one of those things where I knew I was never going to forget that feeling and never going to forget all the people there, in formation. We were connected and ready for collective liberation.” Raquel Willis, author and activist

“I’m a student right now, and last semester I did a project based on my identity and being trans. Being able to go up in front of a group of people and talk about that for the first time — it was not something I expected to feel good about — but it was really powerful.” Cassius Read, fashion design student

“When I was 11 years old, I had the opportunity to work at Elle.com for a summer and create an online zine called Marley Mag. I think that entire summer was a moment of leadership; I was so young and in a board room with all these amazing people who were betting on me. I had to speak up and say, ‘We need to tell more Black folks stories in this project, we need to make sure we’re bringing girls’ and young people’s voices into the story.’ It turned into an amazing piece of work that I’m really proud of, still to this day.” Marley Dias, activist

“I think women foster friendships by exchanging small acts of kindness over and over again and consistently showing up for each other in small ways. I try to do a lot of acts of service and try to do things that help the women in my life feel grounded and spiritually aligned because those are always the things we put on the back burner. Women tend to put everyone else before them and don’t think about themselves enough, so when you prioritize another woman in your life, they’ll really feel that.” Sophia Li, journalist and climate advocate

“I think opening the gallery during the pandemic was a very important moment, personally, and in the context of the art world. Being a young woman, it helped mark a generational shift and new landscape for the art world, post-pandemic.” Nicola Vassell, art curator