Breaking Barriers, Stitch by Stitch: Women Who Reinvented Everyday Fashion

Fashion has always been a form of self-expression, but for centuries, it wasn’t exactly designed with comfort, practicality, or even freedom in mind—especially for women. Can you imagine swimming in a full-length gown? Or wearing a corset so tight you could barely breathe? Yikes! 

Thankfully, some incredible women throughout history didn’t just follow the trends—they rewrote them. From inventing the modern bra to revolutionizing sportswear, these trailblazers made sure that fashion wasn’t just about looking good, but feeling good too. So, in honor of International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the pioneers who stitched their way into history and made our wardrobes work for us! 

Mary Phelps Jacob – Inventor of the Modern Bra (1913)

Before the bra, women primarily wore corsets, which were restrictive and uncomfortable. In 1913, the New Yorker Mary Phelps Jacob was putting on an elegant evening gown, but her corset poked out, so she improvised the first bra with two white silk handkerchiefs, a ribbon and some thread. Afterwards, she patented it and later sold the patent rights to the Warner Brothers Corset Company revolutionizing undergarments for women.

Annette Kellerman – Pioneer of Functional Swimwear (1907)

A professional swimmer and actress, Annette Kellerman challenged the restrictive, full-body swimsuits of her time by wearing a one-piece, form-fitting swimsuit. She even got arrested for it! Her bold move led to the evolution of modern swimwear, making it more practical for swimming.

Claire McCardell – Innovator of American Sportswear (1940s-1950s)

Known as the mother of American sportswear, Claire McCardell introduced easy-to-wear, functional clothing for women, including wrap dresses, ballet flats for everyday wear, and separates like mix-and-match skirts and tops. Her designs focused on comfort and practicality for the modern woman.

Jeanne Lanvin – Early Creator of Chic Yet Functional Children’s Clothing (1908)

Before Jeanne Lanvin, children's clothing was often just a miniature version of adult wear, which was impractical. She designed comfortable, stylish yet functional outfits for children, influencing modern kids’ fashion.

Donna Karan – Designer of the ‘Seven Easy Pieces’ (1985)

Founded on an intuitive understanding of a woman's needs and desires, Karan launched the Seven Easy Pieces in 1985—a bodysuit, a tailored jacket, a skirt, pants, a cashmere sweater, a leather jacket, and an evening look—intended to take a woman from day to night, home to office, and weekday to weekend.

The power of fashion goes beyond the runway—it’s about confidence, movement, and the freedom to live life without restrictions (literally and figuratively!). These incredible women didn’t just design clothes; they designed solutions, making sure that every generation after them could dress with ease, elegance, and empowerment.

So, the next time you slip into your comfy bra, throw on a chic wrap dress, or strut in your ballet flats, remember—you’re standing on the shoulders of women who dared to break the rules. And who knows? Maybe the next big revolution in fashion will come from you!

Happy International Women’s Day to all the fierce, fabulous, and fashion-forward women out there!

Writer : Annemarie W Muchunu