This International Women’s Day, we’re challenging the way things have always looked. Buck the system. See positive change. Envision a brighter future. Donated over 90 000€ EUR to non-profits around the world, including Rêv’Elles in France.
We talked to Founding Executive Director, Athina Marmorat, for a short Q/A about working to inspire, motivate, and support young women.
QUAY: FIRST OF ALL—WHO ARE YOU + WHAT ARE YOU ALL ABOUT? ATHINA: My name is Athina Marmorat, and I am the founder and director of the French non-profit organisation, Rêv’Elles. I founded Rêv’Elles in 2013 due to the lack of work opportunities for young girls from working-class areas. A 2018 study conducted by the OECD concluded that France is the first country where children’s social origins play a crucial role in their experiences. Therefore, we work on programmes to help young women think bigger, go further, and trust themselves.
Q: THIS YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY OFFICIAL THEME IS CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOUR ORGANISATION?
A: When I founded Rêv’Elles, I wanted to create a safe space for young women where they could improve their self-confidence and their capability to act. This year’s International Women’s Day theme “CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE” matches Rêv’Elles’. We want young women to choose a life where they challenge themselves, dare to dream, and get everything they desire. Since 2013, we have empowered more than 700 young women, and we expect to reach thousands more.
Q: WHAT DOES BEING AN ADVOCATE + WHAT DRIVES YOUR DECISION MAKING?
A: It matters to my team and me to set up actions for equal opportunities and the right to dream for young women from disadvantaged areas. I can see myself when I was their age, and I feel concerned about the development stages they go through. We believe that young women are the future of our nation, and the greater our impact, the better we will shape a truly more inclusive and equal world.
In partnership with model, activist, and new mother, Ashley Graham, this International Women’s Day, we’re challenging the way things have always looked. Buck the system. See positive change. Envision a brighter future.
Our LET IT BE LIT campaign for March is centred around the space between URL and IRL, with the idea that as people make their way back out into the world, it’s with a renewed sense of self-expression and the notion that CONFIDENCE IS QUAY—a tagline for us and one of Ashley’s personal affirmations.
We sat down with Ashley to talk about this year’s International Women’s Day theme, advocating for inclusivity, invoking confidence, and her faves from our March photoshoot. Read the Q/A below.
Plus, as part of the campaign—and in an ongoing commitment to philanthropy and cause efforts to support the self-expression, confidence, and well-being of their global community—we’re choosing to wear cause with confidence for International Women’s Day. Donating over 90 000€ to non-profit organisations around the world that empower, inspire, and equip young girls to succeed + be bold, including Rev’elles in France, Girls Out Loud in the UK, and Girls Inc. in the US.
From sweatsuits and power suits, to whatever suits your mood, we’ve got the quays to take your look to the next level. Wear it with confidence starting at 49€. Shop new arrivals.
Q/A WITH ASHLEY GRAHAM
Quay: First of all—who are you + what are you all about?
Ashley: I’m Ashley Graham and I’m a model, host, wife, and new mom to my son Isaac. In everything I do, I work to give people everywhere the courage to make real, positive changes in their lives by breaking down barriers, building confidence, and most importantly, owning who you are.
Q: You’ve always been an advocate for women in so many ways—what does being an advocate for other women mean to you?
A: Being an advocate means supporting one another, using our voices to spark change and creating opportunities that lift and celebrate those around you. It also means being a good listener and cheerleader for your friends, sisters, and other women in your community on a regular basis.
Q: This year’s International Women’s Day official theme is CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE. What does it mean for you + what are some things you choose to challenge?
A: It’s incredibly important for everyone to see realistic portrayals of women and curvy bodies on billboards, tv, and in brand campaigns, and I’ll continue to challenge the status quo and advocate for inclusivity and representation in fashion, entertainment, and beyond.
Q: You’re a woman in a position of power. What does that privilege mean to you, and what drives your decision making?
A: As a public figure, I’m committed to using my voice and platform to offer space for conversations around body positivity and empower others.
Q: Who are the women that inspire you?
A: My mom Linda is the strongest person I know, and she inspires me endlessly. She has always lifted me up and encouraged me to be my best self. Q: The idea that CONFIDENCE IS QUAY is at the center of everything we do at Quay. How has your definition of confidence changed over the years?
A: We all have moments of self-doubt, and there’s been plenty of times where I have felt less than confident, but I truly believe that we all have the power of confidence within us. Incredible things will happen once you start to trust in YOU. Q: On that same note—what is one thing you would tell your younger self?
A: Doors will close, and you’ll hear a lot of no’s throughout your life but keep believing in yourself and trust in the process! Q: Self-expression is at the core of the Quay brand, which Quay styles are you drawn to, and how do they make you feel when you put them on?
A: I LOVE an aviator look, and really gravitated towards HIGH KEY TWO-TONE to add a little edge to my looks. I also like a big sunglasses moment for some extra glamour—COFFEE RUN really stand out. Q: How has your style evolved over the years, and what impact, if any, has motherhood had on your style choices?
A: Since becoming a new mom and working from home, I’ve opted for more stylish yet convertible pieces that are easy to mix and match and can dress up (or dress down) any look. I have to prepare for different types of scenarios throughout the day—working moms know what I’m talking about! Q: As we've transitioned into a more connected world, where we increasingly interact virtually, how have glasses and accessories played into your screenshot style?
A: Glasses, accessories, and some light glam have definitely helped freshen up my Zoom looks during quarantine. Cute glasses or a bold lip are the perfect for a quick and low-lift, especially on days when putting on real clothes is such a struggle.
We believe that COMMUNITY IS QUAY + all people—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or creed—deserve respect, opportunity, and love. This idea is central to everything we do at Quay because we are nothing without the unique, diverse group of individuals internally + externally who are part of our global community.
We will continue to envision a brighter future with the power of our voice, our dollars, and our actions.
See all the ways YOU are helping us give back in 2021:
FEBRUARY
NIGHTFALL FOR GOOD –SUPPORTING SOCIAL JUSTICE + MENTAL HEALTH
We are continued our Style for Good series in February to support Black History Month in the US + Mardi Gras in Australia, donating 100% of proceeds from Nightfall. For a total of $25,000 USD to the NAACP LDF, America's premier legal organization fighting for racial justice + $15,000 AUD to Minus18, an organisation that aims to improve the lives of the LGBTQIA+ youth through events, education, and empowerment across Australia.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH - SUPPORTING RACIAL JUSTICE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND EDUCATION
In honour of Black History Month in the US, we donated $25,000 USD to the following organisations for the continued support in the fight for racial justice, mental health, and education for members of our community:
Therapy for Black Men: An American organisation working to help change the narrative around Black men seeking mental health support, helping them find the resources they need.
Therapy for Black Girls: A US-based online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
Plus, we provided 300 pairs of blue light glasses to Black Girls Code, an organisation based in New York + the Bay Area dedicated to teaching girls ages 7-17 about computer programming and digital technology.
JANUARY
JANUARY 26 IN AUSTRALIA - SUPPORTING SOCIAL JUSTICE
In partnership with Clothing the Gap, we helped amplify the voices of members of the Australian Aboriginal Community, continuing the conversation about January 26 + committing our dollars with a $15,000 AUD donation to The Healing Foundation—an Australia-based Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander organisation that partners with communities to address the ongoing trauma caused by the impact of colonisation + actions like the forced removal of children from their families.
BLUEPRINT FOR GOOD – SUPPORTING COVID RELIEF EFFORTS
This year we continued our Style for Good series, which designates a day each month to feature a bestselling style that gives back to a charity. This past January we kicked it off by giving proceeds from BLUEPRINT to the American Nurses Foundation. Together, we donated $10,000 USD to this organisation that advocates for the wellbeing + success of nurses like those on the frontlines fighting COVID-19.
“We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.” Not only do we look at everything from the lens of what is important to our community internally + externally, we also believe that EDUCATION IS QUAY. This year, we’re dedicated to keep the conversation going with our community in partnership with Clothing the Gap. We spoke with members of Australia’s Aboriginal Community + asked them to share their thoughts on “Australia Day”.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO: Aunty Rieo Ellis (Bundjalung and Jinabarra) Aunty Jacqueline Stewart (Taungarong) Charles Gordon Williams (Wiradjuri, Wemba Wemba, Gunnai and Yorta Yorta) Rylan Johnson (Wiradjuri, Wemba Wemba and Gunditjmara) Charles Michael Williams (Wiradjuri, Gunnai and Yorta Yorta) Laura Thompson (Gunditjmara) Lena-Jean Charles (Yorta Yorta) Milloo Williams (Wiradjuri, Wemba Wemba, Gunnai and Yorta Yorta) Jesse Popple (Bundjalung) Nathan Muir (Wiradjuri) Rebekah Liddle (Arrente and Bundjalung) Kineeya Ellis (Gunai Kurnai and Bundjalung)
[INSERT LONG VIDEO HERE]
We still are, and will always be, in action in the fight for racial justice. Using our voices + committing our dollars with a $15,000 AUDdonation to The Healing Foundation—an Australia-based Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander organisation that supports the healing of Stolen Generations survivors, families, and communities.
Change the Record is Australia’s only national Aboriginal led justice coalition of Aboriginal peak bodies + non-Indigenous allies. They work to end the incarceration of, and family violence against, Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander people.
The priority of the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation is to provide ongoing literacy programs + opportunities for Indigenous young people in Australia through education + community-based initiatives.
The Koorie Youth Council (KYC) advocates for the advancing of rights and representation of Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander young people to government + its community in Australia.
The Healing Foundation is a national Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander organisation that partners with communities in Australia to address the ongoing trauma caused by actions like the forced removal of children from their families.
Common Ground is an Aboriginal-led organisation that works with Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander people to capture + share stories to create learning material for wider Australia.
ANTaR is a national advocacy organisation dedicated specifically to the rights—and overcoming the disadvantage of—Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander people in Australia primarily through lobbying, public campaigns, and advocacy.
“We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.”
We’re celebrating NAIDOC Week at Quay, and honouring Australia’s Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander Peoples with our COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS series with a short Q/A featuring Sky Thomas, a Gunnai/Kurnai, Yorta yorta, and Wiradjuri Woman.
The belief that COMMUNITY IS QUAY and that all people—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or creed—deserve respect, opportunity, and love is central to everything that we do at Quay. We are nothing without the unique, diverse group of individuals internally + externally who have allowed us success over the years.
Q/A ft @SOJU_GANG
Q: WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR STORY?
A: I’m Soju Gang—I’m a proud Gunnai/Kurnai, Yorta Yorta, and Wiradjuri woman, and I’m known for being a DJ, designer, and all-around creative here in Melbourne [Australia].
Q: WHAT DOES NAIDOC WEEK MEAN TO YOU?
A: What NAIDOC means to me is our community coming together to not only reflect on the journey our people have been on but also to celebrate who we are and where we’ve come from as well.
We’ve faced so much adversity since colonisation, so much injustice and pain and oppression and genocide—some of which we still face today. But to have time to reflect on our determination, our strength, our love, our talent, and our achievements is so important.
Q: WHAT DOES THIS YEAR’S THEME ‘ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE’ CONJURE FOR YOU?
A: We have a history [in Australia]. This country has tried to erase us, both from the history books and from the face of the Earth. So, for us to say ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ is saying that we’re still here and we’re not going anywhere.
Q: WHAT DO YOU WANT OTHERS TO KNOW ABOUT NAIDOC WEEK?
A: What I want people to know about NAIDOC Week is to understand where it comes from and the history it holds within it. It came from our people marching for their rights on Day of Mourning, which is what others consider Australia Day, and it was about this country acknowledging the history that is here but to also ask for our rights as human beings. So, from a time of pain that we’ve come from, to find the time and create that space for our people to celebrate ourselves is important and should be something that everyone in this country takes part in.
Change the Record is Australia’s only national Aboriginal led justice coalition of Aboriginal peak bodies and non-Indigenous allies. They work to end the incarceration of, and family violence against, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The priority of Australia’s Aboriginal Literacy Foundation is to provide ongoing literacy programs and opportunities for Indigenous young people through education and community-based initiatives.
The Koorie Youth Council (KYC) advocates for the advancing of rights and representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to Australian government and communities.
The Healing Foundation is an Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that partners with communities to address the ongoing trauma caused by actions like the forced removal of children from their families.
Common Ground is an Aboriginal-led organisation that works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia to capture and share stories, and create learning material for wider Australia.
ANTaR is an Australian advocacy organisation dedicated specifically to the rights—and overcoming the disadvantage of— Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people primarily through lobbying, public campaigns, and advocacy.
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