100 Individuals Who Have Inspired Us In 2023

Aimee Connolly, founded Sculpted by Aimee in 2016 at 23. Most recently, the brand opened its first flagship store on Grafton Street and has expanded globally, launching in the Middle East. No wonder Aimee and the brand have scooped countless industry awards – including ‘Young Businesswoman of the Year’ at the Image PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards earlier this year.

Self-taught chef April Jackson was born in London before moving to Jamaica where she was later crowned Miss Jamaica. Aged 26, she was a competitor on series 11 of The Apprentice before going on to launch hot Brixton restaurant Wood & Water in 2022. This year, you might have seen her on ITV’s Cooking With The Stars.

Michelle Kennedy is the founder of Peanut – an app and online community for women who are planning to or are pregnant, women who have had children, and women who are experiencing menopause. Named as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies 2023, Peanut was also given a Time 100 award in 2022 and was named one of Apple’s best apps in 2021.

London-born journalist Chioma Nnadi has just been announced as head of editorial content at British Vogue, making her the first Black woman to edit the fashion magazine. Nnadi earned her stripes working at indie magazines like Trace and The Fader, before putting in a stint at London’s Evening Standard. In 2010, she moved to New York to work for Vogue, where she has spent the past 13 years. As well as running the US site and co-hosting the podcast The Run-Through, Nnadi is one of the print title’s most-respected writers.

Jamie Genevieve is one of the most impressive women working in beauty today – so it's no wonder she landed a spot on Forbes 30 under 30 list this year. With a long-standing passion for make-up, she worked on department store counters and used her spare time to create online tutorials. With a million subscribers on YouTube and over 1.4 million on Instagram, she’s one of beauty’s biggest social media stars. Meanwhile, everything sold as part of her own brand Vieve is well-curated, 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

Sarah Hayward has worked for top chef Tom Kerridge since 2015, rising through the ranks to head up the kitchen at his Michelin-starred pub The Coach in Marlow since 2021. This March, Hayward was the recipient of Michelin’s prestigious 2023 Young Chef of The Year award.

Doctor Foster, Thirteen, Killing Eve – Jodie Comer has starred in some of the best TV dramas in the last decade, earning a BAFTA and Primetime Emmy Award for her performance as Villanelle. Last year, she made her West End theatre debut in Suzie Miller's one-woman play Prima Facie, taking home a Laurence Olivier Award and a Tony Award after its transfer to Broadway earlier this year.

When she reached the third round of this year’s Wimbledon Championships, Katie Boulter signalled new hope for the future of women’s tennis in Britain. Still only 27, Boulter has had one of her best years on tour to date, becoming British number one and winning the Nottingham Open – her first WTA title – in 2023.

British-born Faye Wei Wei is known for her figurative dreamscapes. Working on a large scale, Faye’s artworks have featured in group and solo exhibitions around the world, and she was awarded a commission by the British Council Hong Kong, in collaboration with Phillips Auction House, as part of the SPARK programme (2019) and received the Cass Art painting prize for Final Year Slade Graduates (2016). 2023 saw Faye’s first solo exhibition in New York, Tiny Melody Chamber.

Environmental feminist Priya Downes is the founder of Nudea, a sustainable underwear brand. Born and raised in Kenya, Priya has utilised her first-hand experiences of poverty as motivation to actively promote better sustainability within the fashion world. During a previous job at The World Bank, she made it her mission to address the lack of sustainability efforts within the fashion industry and continues to pioneer projects to improve environmental responsibility processes and ethical fashion.

Anya Hindmarch is one of the industry’s most respected accessories designers. An early adopter of sustainable practices, her playful yet progressive designs and collaborations have kept her at the forefront of the industry. In 2021, the Anya Village launched on Pont Street, a five-store retail concept playing host to creativity, collaborations and The Anya Café. The same year, Anya also published her first book, If In Doubt Wash Your Hair and this year, the new ice cream concept at the Village went viral.

Abisola Omole, more commonly known as @AbiMarvel on Instagram, is the creative director and CEO of lifestyle brand Arva. The range spans everything from furniture to jewellery and even soft drinks, but with Abi at the helm, each product is thoughtfully curated. Among her other ventures and brand collaborations, Abi is also a champion for size-inclusivity in the fashion industry, contributing to Harpers Bazaar US on the topic of plus-size fashion. Last year Arva also opened its first curated concept store, with a range of furniture, books, ceramics and other unique pieces in Islington Square.

Self-taught cook Rachel Ama’s easy-to-follow, delicious and vegan recipes have helped her amass more than 295,000 followers on Instagram since she went plant-based more than a decade ago. With a YouTube series and three cookbooks to her name, it’s safe to say she knows a thing or two about creating quick, tasty meals at home – and her latest cookbook, One Pot: Three Ways, proves it.

In 2010 Liz Pryor’s mother, Anne Robson, died within a few hours of being discharged from hospital. The family were unaware that she was nearing the end of her life and this sad event was the springboard for Liz to help improve end-of-life care, and care for the elderly, in NHS Hospitals. Fast forward to today and Liz is the CEO of the Anne Robson Trust, and was recently awarded an MBE for her services to end-of-life care.

Tania Faires is the founder of the British Fashion Council’s Fashion Trust, which promotes the growth of British fashion by awarding financial grants to emerging brands, establishing diversity programmes and hosting exhibitions to showcase new designers. The mentorship programme also selects young graduates to work as apprentices for luxury fashion brands on full salaries. In 2018, she co-founded Fashion Trust Arabia with co-chair, Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, which supports designers in the MENA region.

Emma Grede isn’t just the co-founder and CEO of the denim brand, Good American – she’s also the founding partner of fellow Kardashian brands Skims and Safely, which is certified as a B Corp. Away from the boardroom, Emma is a powerful advocate for race equality and is the board chair of the Fifteen Percent Pledge, a non-profit organisation promoting the representation of Black-owned businesses.

Vick Hope is a TV and radio presenter, journalist and author. A regular fixture across British broadcasting, she recently headed up the coverage for BBC Radio 1 at Glastonbury. The Nigerian-Geordie and Cambridge graduate is also an Amnesty International ambassador and the author of two children’s books. Now, Vick is the host of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast, chatting to publishing’s most inspiring women from the UK and beyond.

Michelin-trained Poppy O’Toole created her social media profile, Poppy Cooks, after losing her kitchen job during the pandemic. Known for creating easy-to-follow recipe tutorials, Poppy currently has over 4m followers on TikTok. Following almost a decade in professional kitchens, Poppy launched her debut cookbook The Food You Need in 2021. Last year, Poppy was a judge on Young MasterChef and last month she launched an air fryer-focused cookbook, which became a number one bestseller.

Former brand consultant and stylist Sharmadean Reid is the founder and CEO of Beautystack. Initially launched as a beauty marketplace, it also uses social networking to generate bookings for independent business owners, while The Stack has grown into a female-focused media outlet and members’ club. Putting gender equality at the forefront, Sharmadean is also known for her support of women business leaders, ensuring they’re given the same opportunities to succeed. Earlier this year, she even joined forces with Aindrea Emelife for an ‘In Conversation’ event to discuss how depictions of Black women intersect with women’s access to leadership.

Former TV star Trinny continues to break the mould with her own approach to beauty. Launched in 2017, Trinny London is all about inclusivity – it never uses professional models for marketing campaigns and the priority is realism over aspiration. It especially speaks to those who feel under-represented in the industry, with new launches continuing to drop for all skin tones and ages. Plus on the fashion front, Trinny’s book Fearless, which launched this September, focuses on finding your style, boosting confidence and living your best life. Elsewhere her new podcast by the same name is already a huge hit with guests like Tan France, Debra Messing and Jo Malone already featuring.

Comedian and presenter Amelia Dimoldenberg first wrote about ‘Chicken Shop Date’ in an online column before filming the series for her YouTube channel back in 2014. Nearly a decade on, Amelia has interviewed some of the most famous artists and actors out there, including Burna Boy, Jennifer Lawrence and Keke Palmer. The episode with Louis Theroux even resulted in a viral song. Now, Amelia is a regular host on the red carpet.

Bel Powley is an English actress who has starred in Little Dorrit, Murderland and the excellent indie hit The Diary of a Teenage Girl. More recently, you’ll have seen her in The Morning Show, last autumn’s adaptation of Dolly Alderton’s Everything I Know About Love and this year’s Disney+ acclaimed Holocaust drama A Small Light. Later this year, she’ll be in Steven Spielberg’s highly anticipated series Masters of Air.

Faye McLeod is the director of Ideation Studio and the visual image director at LVMH. As the creative lead behind the Louis Vuitton window displays and art installations, her collaborations have included names like Frank Gehry, Daniel Buren and the Chapman Brothers. In 2012, the lifelike mannequin of artist Yayoi Kusama was unveiled at the Fifth Avenue flagship in New York, bringing the street to a standstill. Her displays are so spectacular that French publishing house Assouline brought out a book – Louis Vuitton Windows – devoted to them.

29-year-old Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, otherwise known as Little Simz, is a British-Nigerian rapper and singer. After releasing three albums to critical acclaim, she was nominated for the Mercury Prize back in 2019 and won Best Album at the NME Awards. She also has a Mobo Award and a Brit under her belt. Praised for her honest lyrics and poetic flow, she performed her song ‘Heart On Fire’ at the 76th British Academy Film Awards ceremony in February.

Despite being a partner at Sweet Capital – the early-stage investment fund set up by the founders of the mobile game CandyCrush – and in the minority as a woman of colour, it hasn’t stopped Pippa Lamb from becoming one of the most recognised faces in venture capital. Today, she continues to advocate for more women to get involved in this typically male-dominated industry.

Charlie Dean is a 22-year-old cricketer who garnered attention during the 2023 Women's Ashes series, taking four wickets across three matches. The ‘all-rounder’ was inspired to play cricket because of her dad, Steve, and currently plays for London Spirit, Hampshire and Southern Vipers. A rising star in the sport, she became the first cricketer born in the 2000s to play international cricket for England.

British politician Penny Mordaunt was appointed Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council last year. After holding numerous positions for the Conservative Party, Mordaunt played a pivotal role in the Coronation of Charles III and Queen Camilla back in May, presenting the Jewelled Sword of Offering, in her ceremonial role, becoming the first woman to ever do so.

Amy Powney is the creative director of Mother of Pearl. During her career she has become a force for change in the fashion industry by embarking on a tireless quest for sustainability. The documentary Fashion Reimagined follows her pioneering mission to create a sustainable collection and change the way customers engage with fashion. Winner of the BFC/Vogue Fashion Fund 2020, she exposes the devastating environmental impact of her industry in a beautiful and informative piece of filmmaking.

Adele Roberts is a British broadcaster and DJ known for her work on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra. Since 2021, she has documented her journey with bowel cancer and is a vocal campaigner on raising LGBTQ+ awareness in broadcasting. This year Adele broke a world record by becoming the fastest woman to complete the London Marathon with a stoma bag.

Elizabeth Day is an award-winning author, journalist and broadcaster. Perhaps best known for her chart-topping podcast How To Fail – which has featured everyone from Phoebe Waller-Bridge to Gloria Steinem – Elizabeth is also the author of five novels, including The Party and Magpie (both of which are being adapted for TV). This year, she published her third non-fiction book, Friendaholic.

Award-winning journalist and Sky News special correspondent Alex Crawford has had a fearless 30-year career during which she has been arrested, abducted, interrogated and faced live bullets and mortar shells. She is best known for her coverage of some of the world’s most high-profile conflicts, including the 2011 Libyan Civil War, the Syrian Civil War and, most recently, the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This year, her Women at War series – the first episode of which focused on Afghanistan – explored the systemic violence faced by women in modern-day Mexico.

Monica Heisey is a writer and comedian from Toronto who has been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Vogue and New York magazine and has written for some of the best comedies out there, including Schitt’s Creek and Workin’ Moms. She currently lives in London and this year published her first novel, Really Good, Actually, which was a Sunday Times bestseller.

With her work featuring in the private collections of Suzanne Brenner (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York) and Brigitte Stepputtis (Global Head of Couture at Vivienne Westwood), Anna Sudbina has been recognised for her expressionistic canvases. A Russian-born graduate of Central Saint Martin’s, Anna’s work has moved from academic drawing and painting to the freedom of abstraction. She continues to ignite interest with her work, which will be at The Other Art Fair, London, in October.

Lucy Prebble is the British playwright behind ENRON, A Very Expensive Poison and The Effect, which is currently being revived at the National Theatre. For television she adapted Secret Diary of a Call Girl, co-created I Hate Suzie with her friend Billie Piper and was one of the lead writers and exec producers on the phenomenally successful HBO drama Succession, which aired its final series this spring.

Alex Mahon is the first female boss of Channel 4 – and she continues to steer the ship amid a turbulent time for broadcasters. In addition to her day job, she’s also an ardent activist in the field of women’s health, regularly advocating for open discussion around taboo topics like menstruation, menopause and beyond. Her appearance at the Wellbeing of Women event this March is well worth a watch online.

Olivia Ferdi is the co-founder of TRIP, the innovative CBD lifestyle brand on a mission to transform mental wellbeing. She started her career in law before launching and scaling up a business in the drinks space in 2019 after her husband suffered from an injury and discovered the power of CBD oils. Today, TRIP is the UK’s bestselling CBD brand.

Having edited Elle UK and Cosmopolitan – and launched the UK edition of Women’s Health back in the day – Farrah Storr is now head of UK partnerships at Substack, an online platform that gives writers the power to self-publish their own material and newsletters and reach a wider audience. Farrah herself walks the walk – her newsletter, Things Worth Knowing, out every Sunday, is one of the platform’s most-read.

Sessions Arts Club needs no introduction. Since summer 2021, it’s been one of London’s buzziest – and trickiest to get into – restaurants. That’s partly to do with its beautiful surroundings – its housed in a former courthouse – but mostly down to head chef Florence Knight’s striking food presentation and bold Italian-tinged cooking.

One of the most revered names in fashion, Bay Garnett has styled, edited and creatively directed some big names. Working with photographers like Juergen Teller, consulting for Louis Vuitton and Chloé, and creating countless editorials for British Vogue, she was one of the first stylists to include vintage pieces in luxury shoots. Today, she’s a senior fashion advisor at Oxfam and spearheads the annual Second Hand September campaign. Her first book, STYLE AND SUBSTANCE: Why What We Wear Matters comes out this November.

Bella Ramsey is an English actor, who, until January 2023, was best known for their break-out role as noblewoman Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones when they were just 11 years old. That changed when Ramsey starred as Ellie in this year’s HBO drama series The Last of Us, for which they received a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award. We’ve also loved their looks at multiple red-carpet events this year – in particular their Thom Brown suit at the Met Gala.

Afua Hirsch is a writer, broadcaster, and human rights advocate known for challenging societal norms. A key figure in the BLM movement, she regularly explores issues of race, identity, and colonialism in publications like The Guardian and The New York Times. Hirsch's presence across broadcasting on both sides of the Atlantic further amplifies her advocacy for justice and equality, while her upcoming book, Decolonising My Body, is both challenging and moving.

As a co-founder of Beauty Banks – the charity that regularly distributes donated hygiene products to those who need them most – Jo Jones is a beauty industry force. A brand building expert and PR guru, there’s almost nothing she doesn’t know about beauty. A true example of someone who uses their position and influence for continued good.

Former Vogue fashion director, Julie Pelipas is one of fashion’s most respected names. After winning the LVMH Innovation Award in 2019, she launched Better, a platform that upcycles deadstock, transforming it into timeless womenswear. Pelipas and her team scour second-hand markets and shops for pieces and fabrics to rework into suits. The brand’s contemporary cuts, silhouettes and a pared-back palette are a direct representation of Pelipas’ minimal yet directional style, and earlier this year she was also awarded the LVMH Karl Lagerfeld Prize which includes funding and one-year mentorship by the luxury group.

Victoria Beckham needs little introduction. The Spice Girls and her own fashion label aside, her beauty range continues to be a roaring success. Everything is designed to help you feel like the very best version of yourself, while the line-up continues to impress with clean, cruelty-free formulations that don’t compromise on the sophisticated and coveted VB aesthetic. The brand is even marking its first foray into the fragrance market later this month.

Singer Griff, also known as Sarah Faith Griffiths, was named the Rising Star at the 2021 Brit Awards. After releasing her debut single through Warner Records, her debut mixtape, ‘One Foot in Front of the Other’ gained critical and commercial success. Last year, she supported Dua Lipa on her European tour, before touring with Coldplay. Her song ‘Walk’ has over 34m plays on Spotify alone, while her new single ‘Vertigo’ is expected to follow the same success.

Millie Kendall is one of the UK’s most respected beauty entrepreneurs. Responsible for the success of brands like Shu Uemura and L’Occitane, she also set up her own line with Ruby Hammer, and co-founded BeautyMart and the British Beauty Council, where she is now CEO and works to solve beauty’s biggest challenges by generating wider conversations with the Government. Her awards and accolades include an MBE in 2007 for services to the cosmetics industry and an OBE in 2022 for her continued support and dedication to the industry.

Eternally cool food stylist Imogen Kwok works in a space that overlaps culture, design and cuisine. Training at hot US restaurants Eleven Madison Park and Blue Hill, over her career Kwok has worked for Loewe, Prada, Chanel, Hermes, Sotheby’s and MATCHESFASHION. In 2023, she launched her first stationery set, featuring ten cards showcasing her work over the last decade, and created the menu for the Loewe SS23 Café at Matches Townhouse.

Tessy Ojo isn’t just the CEO of The Diana Award – she’s also a qualified biochemist, a trustee of Comic Relief and sits on the advisory board at the BBC. No wonder she was awarded a CBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours. This year, she’s been more prolific than ever in spreading the message about what the Diana Award does – specifically giving young people the power and opportunity to improve their communities, and hopefully, the world.

R&B and soul singer Raye has had a knock-out year. After parting ways with Polydor records in 2021, the singer went on to record ‘Escapism’ which went viral on TikTok and topped the UK Singles Charts. It reached the top ten in over 22 countries and became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. She recently released her debut album My 21st Century Blues, to widespread acclaim, alongside new single ‘The Weekend’ with rapper Stormzy – another viral hit.

Aimee Croysdill’s fashion roots are deep and established – her great-grandfather was the first womenswear tailor on the prestigious Savile Row. Suitably, Aimee has carried on this great legacy as a stylist with a host of A-list names on her client list. Most noteworthy is her work with Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan. Together, the two have created some of the best, and most original, red carpet looks of the year.

One of the most celebrated stage actors in recent years, Ugandan-British actor Sheila Atim won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Marianne Laine in an original production of Girl from the North Country. She won another last year, this time for Best Actress in the play Constellations, and starred in the historical film The Woman King, alongside Viola Davis and Lashana Lynch. Sheila has also narrated the audiobook for Yomi Adegoke’s bestselling novel, The List.

Alice Oseman is the creator of the million-copy bestselling Heartstopper graphic novels. The illustrator and author also produced the Emmy Award-winning television adaptation for Netflix, which has received critical acclaim for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ people and queer love. The series is now one of the most-watched English-language series on Netflix, with a third season already in development.

One of the most recognisable faces of the trans movement, Munroe Bergdorf continues to break boundaries not just in the fashion and beauty spaces, but well beyond. Now a contributing editor for British Vogue, she continues to speak out on the issues closest to her heart, advocating daily for people across the LGBTQ+ space.

One of the country’s top nurses, Carol Kefford is currently the Chief Nursing Executive for HCA Healthcare UK, and has also served as Clinical Director and Chief Nurse for Nuffield Health – plus, she’s a Colonel Commandant of the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps. It was Carol’s services to nursing that led to her being awarded an OBE this year.

Also known as Dee’s Table on Instagram and TikTok, Denai Moore is a British-Jamaican musician and chef. In April 2023, she published her first book, Plentiful, a vegan Jamaican cookery book which received praise from everyone from domestic goddess Nigella Lawson to author Liv Little.

Founded by Lara and her husband Ben back in 2015, Varley is an athleisure brand with an instantly recognisable aesthetic. Headquartered between two cities, the duo has combined London’s fast-paced soul with the west-coast mentality of LA to offer elevated year-round collections. Not just an activewear brand, Varley’s philosophy revolves around ‘living life well’ – and it just opened a new flagship store on King’s Road designed in collaboration with HÁM Interiors.

Starting life on a kitchen table in Notting Hill, Astrid & Miyu is now one of the most popular jewellery brands in the UK. With Connie Nam in charge, the brand has created some iconic pieces and revolutionised the in-store experience. From the bespoke engraving service to the piercing studio and its bracelet welding sessions, it’s helped the demi-fine jewellery market turn a new corner.

Jyoti Patel was born in Paris to British Indian parents and grew up in north-west London. She is a graduate of the Creative Writing Prose Fiction MA at the University of East Anglia and winner of rapper Stormzy’s 2021 Merky Books New Writers' Prize. In January, she published her debut novel, The Things That We Lost, via Merky Books.

Still just 21 years old, 2023 has been a great year for India Ria Amarteifi. Beginning her career as a child actor on the West End – before going on to have roles in Sex Education, Line of Duty and Doctor Who – this year she portrayed the title role in the much-anticipated Netflix period drama series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

Since 2016, Samyukta Nair has opened five excellent high-end restaurants in Mayfair via LSL Capital, the business founded by Nair and her father. Among them are Jamavar, Bombay Bustle, MiMi Mei Fair, Koyn and this year’s launch Socca, a Mediterranean concept created in partnership with top chef Claude Bosi.

One of the most recognisable faces in the country, TV and radio presenter Claudia Winkleman has co-presented Strictly Come Dancing with Tess Daly since 2014, as well as numerous other shows and radio programmes. Last year, she won a BAFTA for fronting reality game show The Traitors, which has been viewed over 34m times on BBC iPlayer.

New-Zealand born, London-based designer Emilia Wickstead is a regular on the Fashion Week show schedule. Since launching as an exclusively made-to-measure brand in 2008, her eponymous label is now known for its unapologetically feminine and modern ready-to-wear collections. By focusing on effortless formal wear, Wickstead has also become a red carpet go-to for Hollywood and royalty, alike.

London-born actor Lashana Lynch starred in several stage productions before she hit the big screen in the Marvel Universe films. Last year, she landed the role of MI6 agent Nomi in the 2022 James Bond film No Time to Die. Then, she won the BAFTA Rising Star Award before taking on the role of Izogie in the historical film The Woman King, alongside her friend and mentor Viola Davis.

British-Nigerian artist and designer Miminat Shodeinde founded Miminat Designs while at university. Working across global private residential, hospitality and retail projects, as well as creating one-a-kind sculptural furniture, lighting and objects, Mimi is recognised as one of the leading talents in the industry. This month, look out for the opening of her own gallery in North London, and the launch of eight new pieces.

Best known for her cult, colourful California cakes and for baking the wedding cake of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Claire Ptak is the founder of Violet Cakes in east London, one of the capital’s coolest cake shops. Earlier this year, she published Love Is A Pink Cake, her second cookbook.

Clare Richardson is one of the industry’s most-celebrated photographers but a pivot in 2022 saw her launch Reluxe, a resale platform curating the very best designer pieces and partnering with the industry's biggest names to drop exclusive edits and styles. The business has grown exponentially in the last 12 months, establishing itself as one of the most trusted platforms for pre-loved fashion out there.

Simone Ashley hit our screens in 2019 in the critically acclaimed Netflix show Sex Education and last year, she took the main role in the second series of Bridgerton, and is set to return for the third instalment later this year. Simone recently featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in European entertainment, and appeared on the cover of British Vogue last December.

Charlie Craggs is a powerhouse transgender activist. Through her Nail Transphobia project she plans to change people’s attitudes towards transgender people, one manicure at a time. It gives members of the public who may never have met a trans person an opportunity to have an honest, open conversation in a friendly environment. Charlie has taken her pop-up nail bar around the country to museums, galleries and festivals.

Following her release from Iranian prosecution in March 2022, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe hasn’t stopped having tough conversations with the UK government about her detainment and that of other political prisoners. Keep your eyes peeled for her memoir, which – co-written with her husband Richard – is due to land on bookshelves this autumn.

Impressively, Rixo co-founder and design director, Orlagh McCloskey, still handpaints all of Rixo’s signature prints at the brand’s London HQ. Meanwhile, Henrietta Rix – the other half of the powerhouse duo behind the brand – oversees everything from wholesale to retail expansion, partnerships to communications. Loved by the fashion set and A-lister alike, at the end of last year, Rixo opened a new store on London’s iconic Carnaby Street.

Paris Lees is an author, writer and broadcaster who has been described as “the voice of a generation” by i-D magazine. Her debut book What It Feels Like for a Girl, a literary memoir about growing up poor and trans in the Nottinghamshire countryside at the start of the millennium, received rave reviews in 2021 and is currently being adapted into a BBC drama series.

Kate Robertson is the co-founder of One Young World, the global youth leadership summit which aims to inspire young people and build a fair, sustainable future for all. After growing up in apartheid South Africa, Kate’s world view is a result of witnessing the leadership of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The annual summit is attended by over 1,400 delegates from 196 countries – more than any youth event outside of the Olympics.

Sophie Ashby launched her London-based, one-woman design studio when she was just 25. Today, Studio Ashby has a growing team, and an array of awards recognising its international projects across private homes, residential developments and hotels. She set up a homeware brand, Sister, in 2022, which operates out of a stunning showroom at The Blewcoat School, and co-founded a charity, United in Design, to tackle the lack of diversity in the industry.

Stella McCartney entered the beauty sphere earlier this year with the launch of her eponymous skincare line. Rooted in nature, the collection has raised the bar for sustainable skincare by using 99% natural-origin ingredients and championing sustainability from all angles – it exceeds EU regulations in terms of planet-friendly formulas, uses refillable bottles and sea freight transportation instead of air travel. Alongside her brand, she’s also launched an initiative this year called Stella Voices – a new campaign that amplifies the work of climate activists trying to drive change.

Yomi Adegoke is a multi-award-winning journalist and bestselling author. In 2018, she co-wrote the bestselling book Slay in Your Lane and in the same year was named one of the most influential people in London by the Evening Standard, and in 2021 was named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30. This year, she published the book of the summer, The List, which became an instant bestseller.

The British star of The Affair, Luther and His Dark Materials has had another stellar year on screen and stage. At the end of August, Ruth Wilson starred in BBC thriller The Woman in the Wall, a modern gothic mystery. Most impressively, in May, she starred in The Second Woman, a 24-hour feat of endurance theatre at the Young Vic, where she performed the same scene for 24 hours opposite 100 different men, non-binary and queer people.

The musician Rebecca Lucy Taylor – also known by her stage name Self Esteem – has had a great year. Her second album was nominated for the 2022 Mercury Music Prize. She wrote the music for Jodie Comer’s one-woman play Prima Facie and this summer, she played the opening night of the BBC Proms, was made an honorary Doctor of Music at the University of Sheffield and had her portrait hung in the National Portrait Gallery. From 24th September, she’ll be playing Sally Bowles in the current West End revival of Cabaret.

Shon Faye is a writer, editor, journalist  and presenter known for her commentary on LGBTQ+, women's and mental health issues. A columnist for Vogue and the author of two books on trans issues, her non-fiction work has been described as ‘ground-breaking’. We can’t wait to see what the Oxford graduate turns her hand to next.

As the driving force behind suiting brand, The Deck, Daisy Knatchbull is a force to be reckoned with. Working in a historically male-dominated part of the industry, she noticed a gap in the market for women’s tailoring and carved out her own space to serve a new generation of customers.

Irish actor Nicola Coughlan received global recognition for her role of Clare Devlin in the Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls, the channel's most successful comedy in recent years. She has since played Penelope Featherington in Netflix’s Bridgerton. Outside of acting, Nicola has worked with several charities and is vocal in her support of the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland.

Juno Dawson is a number one Sunday Times bestselling novelist, screenwriter, journalist and a columnist for Attitude magazine. Juno’s books include the global bestsellers This Book Is Gay and Clean. This year, Her Majesty’s Royal Coven was long-listed for the inaugural TikTok Book Awards and her follow-up The Shadow Cabinet became an instant bestseller.

Ravneet Gill is a British pastry chef, author of The Pastry Chef's Guide, activist and television presenter. In 2020 Gill replaced Prue Leith as a judge on Junior Bake Off alongside Liam Charles and Harry Hill. In 2023, she presented Channel 4’s Five Star Chef and will launch pastry bible Baking For Pleasure in December.

Sophie Morgan is a British television presenter and disability advocate who is paraplegic. After appearing in the first series of Breaking Boundaries – a BBC doc that followed 11 disabled people on an expedition across Nicaragua – she’s gone on to become a lead presenter for Channel 4's TV coverage of the Summer Paralympics. Voted one of the most influential disabled people in the UK, her career in television now spans almost 20 years.

Chief business officer of Condé Nast and publishing director of British Vogue, Vanessa Kingori, has worked for the publishing behemoth for over a decade. She’s also known for breaking multiple boundaries, becoming Condé Nast’s first female publishing director as well as the first woman of colour in the role. In 2023 she was awarded an OBE for her contributions to the media industry. 

Preet Chandi is the British Army medical officer on a mission to push herself to the limit and break records in the expedition world. Last year, she completed a solo expedition across Antarctica to the South Pole before recording the longest ever solo and unsupported polar expedition by any woman in January. ‘Polar Preet’ was awarded an MBE in the 2022 Birthday Honours.

A silent power and purveyor in the industry, Elizabeth Von der Goltz is fashion and merchandising officer at Farfetch, as well as CEO of luxury London retailer Browns. Having previously held senior roles at the likes of MATCHES, Bergdorf Goodman and NET-A-PORTER (where she served as global buying director and initiated the Vanguard programme) it’s safe to say she has an innate sense of trends, talent and what women want to wear.

Aimee Lou Wood trained at prestigious acting school RADA before breaking out on the small screen in Netflix drama Sex Education, for which she won a BAFTA for Best Female Comedy Performance. This year, she played Sally Bowles in Cabaret at London’s Playhouse Theatre to rave reviews.

Tessa Clarke is the co-founder and CEO of Olio – a free app that tackles the problem of food waste and, in turn, climate change. The recipient of the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award 2023, the honour highlighted the fact that since 2015, the business has already saved more than 100 million portions of food from going to waste.

Charlotte Wells is a Scottish director, writer and producer. She is best known for her feature film debut Aftersun, starring Paul Mescal, which debuted to critical acclaim at Cannes Film Festival and went on to win a number of accolades, including Gotham and British Independent Film Awards. Wells also won Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer at the 2023 BAFTAs and Mescal was nominated for best actor at the 2023 Oscars for his performance.

Sinéad Burke is an Irish writer, academic and disability advocate, who made her Vogue cover debut this year alongside four other disabled activists. In 2019 she also made history as the first little person to attend the Met Gala and in 2020, was a guest on Desert Island Discs.

British-born Rosie Huntington Whiteley has become one for the most recognisable and respected names in the fashion and beauty business. The model turned her hand to lingerie design in 2012 as part of a collaboration with Marks & Spencer’s own brand Autograph – the seasonal collections continue to be a resounding success – while her beauty brand Rose Inc. recently collaborated with cult swimwear brand Hunza G.

Maya founded her niche fragrance brand after going through old photo albums. Drawing on her Swedish and West African heritage, she launched her business back in 2016, with a clear focus on high-quality artisanal blends. Determined to demystify fragrance terminology and any ‘elitist’ feel, Njie has recently started to run regular workshops in London to help educate attendees about how the industry works.

The woman behind cult nail salon Townhouse is founder Juanita Huber-Millet. This year it celebrated its fifth anniversary of launching in Fitzrovia, and Juanita has since gone onto expand with 19 salons nationwide – 16 of which were launched in the last year alone. What sets it apart is the quality of the service and close attention to detail. Juanita also invests in ongoing training and development of her staff and is proud to support her manicurists by helping them grow and evolve within the company.

Actor Rose Ayling-Ellis has been deaf since birth. She first appeared on our screens in 2020, playing the role of Frankie Lewis in EastEnders and the following year, she won the 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing – no wonder she received a Visionary Honours award for Inspirational Person of the Year. Rose also worked with Mattel to unveil the first deaf Barbie doll with a healing aid, before being nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in As You Like It at Soho Place theatre.

South London-born singer Joy Crookes is one of Britain's rising stars. Joy taught herself how to play guitar, piano and bass as a teen before writing her own songs and breaking onto the music scene in 2016. In the last few years, she’s been nominated for several awards, including a BRIT, a Mobo, a Mercury Prize and BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record of the Year with her single ‘When You Were Mine’. Her second album is currently in the works.

Emily Austen launched her PR agency EMERGE when she was just 22, using £250 she'd made from selling old clothes on eBay. Today, the business – which employs more than 25 people – works with mega brands like Huel, Spanx, 1Rebel, HURR and Missoma, among others. If you haven’t listened already, add her Busi-ness podcast to your playlist.

Born with dwarfism, but preferring the term 'little person', Fats Timbo is a comedian, a model and she has more than two million fans on TikTok. Overcoming bullying and insecurity, she found her confidence on social media, which is where she now shares her content, including comedy sketches and lifestyle posts.

Mary Earps’ sensational performance in this year’s World Cup has earned her a well-deserved spot on this list. As the recipient of the Golden Glove award – which honours the best goalkeeper of the international tournament – bids are now flying to get Mary to move from her current club, Manchester United, for a reported £100,000 – a record fee for a female goalkeeper.

Emily Maitlis is one of the UK’s most recognisable journalists. This year, her podcast The News Agents – with Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall – reached new heights after going Stateside with a special US version, looking at the biggest news stories in the US and also featuring interviews with influential names in American politics.

Previously founder and president of THEOUTNET.com, Stephanie is currently group president at Farfetch. In 2018 she was appointed as chairman of the British Fashion Council where she focused on London’s status as a global fashion hub. Today she is responsible for Farfetch’s innovation strategies, private client business and leading the brand’s marketing and advertising arms. With an MA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) from Oxford and fluent in four languages, Stephanie is a fashion industry force.