Fashion guru and commentator wows Suffolk Business Women event

Fashion guru and commentator wows Suffolk Business Women event

Over 70 Suffolk business leaders heard how they should be more creatively disruptive in order to deliver better business practices that benefit both their organisations and their workforce, at a recent Suffolk Chamber event.

In an inspirational talk at Ipswich Town Football Club on 2nd May, Professor Caryn Franklin MBE addressed concerns about gender and ethnic pay and representation gaps by outlining her experience of trying to change the fashion industry from within.

Caryn is the former fashion editor and co-editor of i-D Magazine and The Clothes Show and Style Challenge broadcaster, and spoke at Suffolk Chamber’s Suffolk Business Women networking lunch, sponsored by Gotelee Solicitors.

Having overcome challenges both at home and at work, Caryn Franklin has become a leading voice for empowerment, and is now campaigning to address sustainable body and beauty ideals for men and women.

Caryn said “I am promoting the art of asking awkward questions. That’s what I have done my entire career in order to investigate identity politics, exploitation, portrayal of unachievable body ideals, lack of diversity and latterly predatory photographers. I call myself a disruptive fashion lover and I was delighted to have passed on my simple tips for staying sane and getting stuff done!

“Women are hugely resourceful and resilient beings able to collaborate and activate progress so it’s particularly exciting to talk to those who have reached a stage in their career where they are ready to roll their sleeves up and say… I CAN DO THIS!”

Ginny Idehen, chair of Suffolk Chamber’s Suffolk Business Women, was thrilled at the positive response to Caryn’s messages. She said “Caryn’s speech had the wow factor written all over it. Everyone I spoke to afterwards was even more engaged and motivated than when they first entered the room to address the need for greater equality and fairness both in the workplace and beyond.”

Amanda Ankin, Operations Director at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce added: “Suffolk Business Women used the opportunity to harness the resulting creative energy unleashed by Caryn to gather feedback on our draft manifesto, which will link in to Suffolk Chamber’s manifesto’s key aims for doing business in Suffolk. We will now be taking those comments and ideas on board and look forward to launching this campaigning document later in the summer.”

Rachel Cronin, partner at Gotelees, said “it’s was a great opportunity to sponsor this popular Suffolk Business Women’s event.  Women play valuable roles in business and as a business, 80% of our workforce are females and they are invaluable to the running of the firm, so it’s great to support this. Hearing about the issued raised by Caryn Franklin are of relevance to us all, including equal pay and opportunities.”

Suffolk Business Women is part of the Suffolk Chamber family and has a membership of over 1500 business people – men and women. More information about can be found at: https://www.suffolkchamber.co.uk/events-networking/suffolk-business-women/