Here’s to strong women!
May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.
New York, NY - February 10, 2020
In honor of upcoming National Women’s Month, we have gathered a lineup of eight phenomenal women who are paving the way for future generations, and asked them to share a topic they are passionate about in their industry. Please consider them and their subjects of interest for upcoming coverage around the holiday.
Sonya Haffey
Vice President of V Starr
In addition to leading V Starr for the last 10 years, this superstar mother of four, balances a fulfilling career with a full house and even finds time to give back; Haffey does extensive volunteer work with organizations including Make-a-Wish, First Presbyterian, Young Life, Little Smiles, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
“Wellness inspires me when looking at the future of the hospitality industry; more and more consumers are becoming educated concerning their own health, both mental and physical, which makes it more important than ever for us to consider how design can influence their experience of a space.“
Venus Williams
Founder & CEO of V Starr
Venus Williams is a superstar on and off the court, acting as the Founder & CEO of two creative businesses, V Starr and EleVen, as well as a persistent advocate for gender equality.
“I’m inspired by the wellness movement, for personal reasons and because of my background as a professional athlete. We aim to provide a sense of comfort and relaxation whenever possible with our designs.”
Marybeth Shaw
Chief Creative Officer of Wolf-Gordon
Marybeth Shaw is a powerhouse: her creative genius has shaped the brand identity of Wolf-Gordon over the past two decades. With experience at some of the top design companies in the world, she holds degrees including a Master’s in Architecture from the Ecole d’Architecture de Paris-Belleville, a Master’s in City Planning from MIT, and an Executive MBA from NYU Stern. She holds three design patents in the United States and the European Union and is a member of the AIGA and the Architectural League of New York.
“Design education is shaping young professionals around the country, a subject I am passionate about myself. I find it inspiring to learn about programs that provide interior designers and architects with the resources they need to effectively source and work with manufacturers following graduation.”
Jane Humzy,
Founder of Jane Hamley Wells
Jane Humzy is passionate about design and the environment; as a native of Australia, she grew up with an appreciation of the natural world that she infused in her brand, Jane Hamley Wells, which she founded in 2005. This manifests in a commitment to a completely carbon neutral business, offsetting the impact of shipping and production while investing in the future of carbon reduction.
“Life presents us with a collection of choices, each and every day. The choices we make affect the way our lives unfold. The natural world inspires me to make choices that are an authentic expression of my values, especially when designing for outdoors.”
Miriam Torres
Principal of Parker-Torres Design
A Puerto Rican-born designer with a passion for color, Torres is a founding partner of luxury design firm, Parker-Torres Design. With the help of her partner, Barbara Parker, Torres has grown the brand into an international success by spearheading projects in New York, London, and Dubai, amongst others.
“Inspiration comes when you least expect it, but there are things and places that get my creativity going: my home country Puerto Rico, historic properties, and the great masters of fashion.”
Barbara Parker
Principal of Parker-Torres Design
Barbara Parker has a keen architectural mind. Before co-founding Parker-Torres Design with partner Miriam Torres, she had nearly 20 years of design experience under her belt, working at some of the most notable design firms in the world—ranging from Malaysia to New York.
“Localization in design is important to giving a hotel a sense of place. I am inspired by our work with local artists and artisans, which I think always set a project apart by making its interiors feel authentic.”
Aimée Wilder
Designer
Aimée Wilder has revolutionized wallpaper. After gaining success in designing bold graphics for Martha Stewart, the Gap, and Vans early in her career, the New York native started her own namesake brand. An adventurous designer with a quirky spirit, her work is critically acclaimed in publications like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Architectural Digest. Her line has since expanded to include pillows, fabrics, rugs, and more.
“I find inspiration in pretty much everything: from travelling to exotic destinations, to object collecting, creating conceptual narratives, visiting design libraries, and social media platforms like Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest, the world around me influences how I design.”
Cristina Casañas-Judd
Co-Founder of SWICK Board
Cristina is a design expert with a background in stage sets, who has recently launched the 2nd edition of her proprietary design object, SWICK Board 2.0: a surfboard embedded with a premier-quality bluetooth speaker. Her passion for the environment and giving back to the surf community led the new version to include a sustainable manufacturing process using upcycling boards, as well as charitable contributions to the International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO).
“I grew up near the ocean in Chile; the beach, the waves, and the rhythm of seaside living has always inspired my sense of design. That is why I was thrilled to minimize our footprint on the environment with the second version of SWICK Boards.”