The Inspiring Stories of Leading Women in Business Changing Luxury Forever in 2025

Leading women in business are redefining luxury. This International Women’s Day 2025, we celebrate their vision, resilience, and industry-changing impact.

5 min read
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March 7, 2025

Passion is a force that defies convention. It pushes boundaries, fuels resilience, and transforms ideas into legacies. Throughout history, industries like watchmaking, jewelry, luxury goods, antiques, and collectibles have been shaped by tradition—often led and controlled by men. Yet, a new wave of leading women in business has risen, proving that expertise, vision, and relentless determination can break any barrier.

These leading women in business didn’t just enter these industries—they redefined them. They left behind privilege, shattered stereotypes, and built businesses from the ground up, guided by their passion and a refusal to settle for the status quo. This International Women’s Day 2025, we’re celebrating visionary leading women in business who have transformed their love for craftsmanship, creativity, and commerce into industry-defining success. 

Famous Women Entrepreneurs Who Transformed the Watch Industry

Name: Christine Hutter 

Brand Name: Moritz Grossmann

She breathed new life into fine watchmaking by founding Moritz Grossmann, a female-owned watch brand known for its in-house movements and technical mastery in an industry dominated by heritage names. Her vision earned global recognition for the brand, including the 2019 Red Dot Design Award.

Name: Eva Leube 

Brand Name: Eva Leube Watching

Eva spent years perfecting her curved mechanical movement watch, proving that precision and creativity could redefine horology. She proved this by creating Ari and earning "Best of the Basel Fair" in 2011 for her craftsmanship. She truly defined the new way for female-owned watch brands. 

Women Art Gallery Owners Who Redefined the Global Art Industry

Name: Pearl Lam 

Brand Name: Pearl Lam Galleries

She left behind expectations of a real estate empire to build one of the most influential contemporary art galleries bridging the East and West. She also became a key figure at Art Basel Hong Kong and founded the China Art Foundation to promote Chinese culture worldwide.

Name: Ambica Beri

Brand Name: Gallery Sanskriti & Art Ichol

She has redefined artistic spaces, first with Gallery Sanskriti, a platform for emerging and established artists, and then with Art Ichol, a retreat where creativity thrives beyond boundaries. Her dedication to nurturing talent and blending tradition with innovation earned her FICCI’s Woman of the Year award, cementing her legacy in the art world.

Leading Women in Business Who Built Luxury Jewelry Brands

Name: Shobhana Choksey

Brand Name: Shobha Shringar Jewellers

She turned a homegrown jewelry passion into Shobha Shringar Jewellers, a brand synonymous with heritage craftsmanship. Known for exquisite craftsmanship and timeless designs, her brand has adorned Femina Miss India and won prestigious awards like "Heritage Jewelry of the Year." 

Name: Kendra Scott 

Brand Name: Kendra Scott

She turned a $500 dream into a jewelry empire, launching her brand from a spare bedroom in 2002. Her innovative Color Bar revolutionized custom jewelry, while her philanthropy through Kendra Cares has raised millions for women and children. With 147+ stores and a Forbes mention as a top self-made woman, she continues to redefine success with purpose.

Women Entrepreneurs Leading the Luxury Fashion & Design Industry

Name: Abai Schulze 

Brand Name: ZAAF

She transformed her passion for design and economic empowerment into ZAAF, a luxury brand showcasing Africa’s finest craftsmanship. Founded in 2014, it has graced Vogue, Elle, & New York Fashion Week. With awards like the UNESCO Tremplin Prize, Schulze continues to elevate African artisans on the global stage.

Name: Femi Olayebi 

Brand Name: FemiHandbags

Femi turned a simple idea into FemiHandbags, a luxury brand celebrating African craftsmanship. From London Fashion Week to CNN features, her impact spans fashion and entrepreneurship. As the founder of Lagos Leather Fair and a Mastercard Foundation partner, she’s shaping the future for artisans and young creatives across Africa.

Famous Women Entrepreneurs Redefining the Antiques & Collectibles Industry

Name: Toma Clark Haine

Brand Name: The Antiques Diva & Co.

Toma turned a personal love for antiques into The Antiques Diva & Co., the world's largest antiques sourcing service, spanning 15 countries. What began as a simple blog grew into a global empire, proving that passion and persistence can break barriers. 

A Legacy of Passion and Persistence

These leading women in business didn’t wait for opportunities—they created them. They stepped into industries where they weren’t always welcomed, rewriting the rules and building lasting legacies. Their journeys prove that passion, resilience, and bold vision can turn any dream into a global empire.

This International Women’s Day 2025, we celebrate these famous women entrepreneurs not just their success but the inspiration they bring to every woman daring to create, innovate, and lead in a world that once told them they couldn’t.

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Key Takeaways: 

  • Breaking Barriers with Passion – These leading women in business have entered traditionally male-dominated luxury industries and redefined them through expertise, resilience, and innovation.
  • Redefining Luxury Watchmaking – Christine Hutter and Eva Leube have reshaped fine watchmaking, earning global recognition for their technical mastery and creative innovation.
  • Transforming the Art Industry – Pearl Lam and Ambica Beri have revolutionized the global art scene, fostering cross-cultural exchanges and creating platforms for emerging artists.
  • Building Luxury Jewelry Empires – Shobhana Choksey and Kendra Scott turned their passion into thriving jewelry brands, blending craftsmanship with innovation and philanthropy.
  • Pioneering Luxury Fashion & Design – Abai Schulze and Femi Olayebi have showcased African craftsmanship on the world stage, empowering artisans and reshaping luxury fashion.
  • Revolutionizing Antiques & Collectibles – Toma Clark Haines built the world’s largest antique sourcing service, proving that passion and persistence can create global success.
  • Creating Opportunities, Not Waiting for Them – These women didn’t follow traditional paths; they forged their own, rewriting industry rules and leaving lasting legacies.
  • A Celebration of Visionary Leadership – This International Women’s Day 2025, we recognize these famous women entrepreneurs for their boldness, innovation, and commitment to shaping the future of luxury.
 
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Who are some of the leading women in business transforming the luxury industry?
This article highlights visionary women like Christine Hutter (watchmaking), Pearl Lam (art), Shobhana Choksey (jewelry), Abai Schulze (fashion), and Toma Clark Haines (antiques), among others, who are redefining their industries with innovation and resilience.
Why is it important to celebrate women in luxury business on International Women’s Day 2025?
Historically, luxury industries have been male-dominated. Recognizing women’s contributions on International Women’s Day showcases their achievements, inspires future entrepreneurs, and encourages greater gender inclusivity in business.
How have these famous women entrepreneurs redefined traditional luxury industries?
They have disrupted norms by introducing fresh perspectives, innovative designs, ethical business practices, and sustainable models, while also empowering local artisans and communities.
What challenges have women in the luxury business faced, and how did they overcome them?
Many faced gender bias, lack of funding, and industry skepticism. Through passion, persistence, and strategic innovation, they overcame these challenges to build successful global brands.
How can aspiring women entrepreneurs break into luxury industries?
Success in luxury requires a strong vision, craftsmanship, networking, and resilience. Learning from these famous women entrepreneurs, embracing innovation, and staying committed to quality can help aspiring entrepreneurs make their mark.
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