Celebrating Women in Design: My Top 6 Inspirational Women for March
21 March 2025
March is a month of reflection, celebration, and recognition. As we mark Women’s History Month, I find myself thinking about the incredible women who have shaped — and continue to shape — the world of interior and architectural design. Design, at its core, is about storytelling. And these women have told powerful stories through space, material, and form, leaving behind legacies that continue to inspire.
Here are six women whose work has made a lasting impression on me, and who remind me why I do what I do.
1. Zaha Hadid
Bold. Visionary. Unapologetically original. Zaha Hadid broke every mould, not only as a woman in a male-dominated field but as a thinker who refused to be boxed in.
Her fluid, futuristic architectural forms challenged conventional ideas of space. From the MAXXI Museum in Rome to the London Aquatics Centre, her work is both sculptural and fearless. She’s a constant reminder to push creative boundaries — and to design with conviction.
Image credit: Architectural Digest
2. Patricia Urquiola
Patricia Urquiola’s designs feel like poetry in object form.
Her ability to blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary style gives her work a kind of quiet confidence that I deeply admire. Whether it’s her modular sofas or striking hotel interiors, she brings warmth, innovation, and elegance together seamlessly. I love how she plays with material and texture — always unexpected, always full of life.
Image credit: Pinterest
3.Dorothy Drapper
A true pioneer, Dorothy Draper made boldness beautiful long before it was fashionable.
Her fearless use of colour, pattern, and scale revolutionised American interior design in the early 20th century. She wasn’t afraid of drama — she embraced it, turning classical spaces into vibrant, dynamic interiors. Her work feels as fresh now as it did then, and her entrepreneurial spirit paved the way for so many women in design.
Image Credit: Pinterest
4.Kelly Wearstler
There’s no mistaking a Kelly Wearstler space. Her signature style — eclectic, glamorous, and full of attitude — brings such a strong visual identity to everything she touches.
I admire her fearless mixing of periods, styles, and materials. She designs like a true artist, constantly evolving and pushing the envelope, reminding me that design should never be boring or safe.
Image credit: Galerie Magazine
5. Florence Knoll
Florence Knoll was the embodiment of timeless design.
Her work redefined the modern workplace, blending functionality with clean, understated elegance. She believed in total design — that every element of a space should speak to a unified vision.
That philosophy continues to guide how I approach projects today. Her legacy lives on in the pieces she designed and the standard she se
Image Credit: Aram Store
6.Ray Eames
Often remembered alongside her husband Charles, Ray Eames was a powerhouse in her own right.
Her work spanned furniture, textiles, architecture, and beyond. What I love most about Ray is the playful yet meticulous approach she brought to design — nothing was too small to be considered, and everything was an opportunity for beauty and function to meet.
She saw design as joyful, and that’s something I always try to hold onto.
Image credit: Archilovers
Designing with purpose, inspired by women
As a woman working in design today, I’m constantly inspired by the women who came before — and the ones breaking new ground now. This month, I’m taking a moment to honour these six brilliant minds who continue to shape my creative world. Their courage, creativity, and commitment to design remind me every day of the power of good design — and the importance of having more women at the table