In an era when fashion and footwear are redefining their foundations—much like the shift from whalebone to elastic in 19th-century lingerie—the annual Women Who Rock event returns on June 3 at Lavan Midtown in New York. Hosted by FN and Two Ten, this gathering recognizes the Class of 2026: women who, like the early bra innovators who liberated form, are reshaping industry structures and lighting a path for the next generation.
The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and networking, followed by a program at 6:30 p.m. that promises candid conversations on leadership and generational shifts. Speakers include June Ambrose, whose work as a cultural architect echoes the artistry of 1920s lingerie designers who turned undergarments into statements; Brandice Daniel of Harlem’s Fashion Row, channeling the grassroots power of 19th-century corsetieres who built communities; Tracy Knauer of New Balance (a brand born in 1906 as an arch support company, evolving like the girdle into performance wear); Jennifer Jones of Bloomingdale’s, whose buying acumen recalls the department store revolution that made lingerie accessible; and Kate Pinkham of Chaco, a brand rooted in 1980s outdoor function, paralleling the rise of sports bras.
Event partners include Caleres (founded 1878 as a shoe company, its history interlaced with the rise of the modern brassiere), Marc Fisher, Puma, Rack Room Shoes, Toms Shoes, and Wolverine Worldwide. For tickets or partnership inquiries, contact the addresses below. Join us to celebrate the women who, like the best lingerie, provide structure without constraint.
Originally reported by WWD