WOMEN ON TOP

BY MARCY MEDINA

To honor International Women’s Day this year, we shine a light on six female leaders driving change at some of South Coast Plaza’s leading brands.

March 3, 2026

Celebrated annually on March 8 since 1911, International Women’s Day is a global holiday honoring women’s equality and empowerment. This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” encourages collective generosity, collaboration, and mentorship to drive gender equality. By giving time, support, and resources to empower women, society gains stronger communities, greater innovation, and accelerated progress. Key actions include mentorship, visibility and advocacy, resource sharing and solidarity. In short, when women succeed, everyone benefits. Here, we take a closer look at six founders, creative directors and CEOs from some of South Coast Plaza’s leading brands who inspire us to be catalysts for lasting change.

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SOUTH COAST PLAZA

THE 2026 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY EDIT

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Elizabeth An

HOUSE OF AN

Chief Executive Officer

AnQi Bistro, one of South Coast Plaza’s premier dining destinations, is just part of one of the most influential female-led hospitality companies in Southern California. Founded by matriarch Helene An after the family escaped the fall of Saigon in 1975 and came to America, House of An has created some of the world’s most iconic restaurants, earning Helene the moniker “Mother of Fusion Cuisine.” Elizabeth An, the second eldest of Helene’s five daughters who serves as chief executive officer of House of An, said, “Our family business was built by three generations of An family women, who weren’t afraid to take risks and blaze their own trails in new environments. At the foundation, it was the love and support of these fellow women, both within our family, as well as colleagues in our industry, that continue to inspire us to not only grow, but give back to a community that has been so welcoming to our family over the decades of encouragement and patronage.”

LEVEL 2, Bloomingdale’s Wing
714.557.5679

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Our family business was built by three generations of An family women, who weren’t afraid to take risks and blaze their own trails in new environments...

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ELIZABETH AN

Eileen Fisher

EILEEN FISHER

Founder and Chairwoman

When it comes to sustainable fashion, there are few pros like Eileen Fisher, founder and chairwoman of her eponymous company which has been making a system of simple, timeless clothes for over 40 years. A socially conscious company, Eileen Fisher designs its clothing to be part of a circular manufacturing model, starting with sustainable materials, then taking back its clothes to be resold through Renew, the company’s take-back program. The company became a B Corp in 2016, voluntarily meeting high criteria for social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. The company’s clothes are sold online, in over 400 department and specialty stores globally, and in more than 50 Eileen Fisher retail stores in North America, including South Coast Plaza. Good-as-new pieces are resold online and in two Eileen Fisher Renew stores, and select Eileen Fisher retail stores nationwide. When it comes to empowering women, Fisher states that her goal is to support all females by allowing them to dress effortlessly, stylishly and sustainably: “We support women to be comfortable and confident in the world by designing simple, sustainable clothing that makes getting dressed easy.”

LEVEL 1, Bloomingdale’s Wing
714.437.3111

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We support women to be comfortable and confident in the world by designing simple, sustainable clothing that makes getting dressed easy.

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EILEEN FISHER

Catherine Holstein

KHAITE

Founder and Creative Director

Founded in 2016 by Catherine Holstein, New York City-based fashion house Khaite is no stranger to giving. Last November, Khaite sponsored The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s (MSK) annual Fall Party, held at the iconic Plaza Hotel. The elegant evening, which saw many guests, including Associates Committee Chairman Marcella Hymowitz, dressed in Khaite, raised over $1.1 million in total, including a record-breaking $486,000 for Empower Innovation: MSK Kids Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials, which funds groundbreaking research for children with rare cancers. Holstein’s brand is known for empowering women at galas, on the streets of New York, as well as on the runway. Of the women who wear her designs, Holstein told Elle magazine, “She is intelligent and confident. That can apply to any age, time and place.” This sense of power was the theme of her Fall 2023 collection, when she told Elle, “Power dressing can mean whatever you want it to mean. It’s what makes you feel like the best version of yourself, and there is power in that.”

LEVEL 1, Saks Fifth Avenue Wing
949.343.3137

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Power dressing can mean whatever you want it to mean. It’s what makes you feel like the best version of yourself, and there is power in that.

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CATHERINE HOLSTEIN

Monique Lhuillier

MONIQUE LHUILLIER

Founder and Creative Director

Los Angeles-based, Philippine-born designer Monique Lhuillier is a SoCal fixture, known for her dreamy bridal gowns and glamorous red-carpet creations. As she prepares to celebrate 30 years in business this October, she reflects back on how her brand has always supported women. “Fashion has always been about connection for me. Every gown begins with a conversation – with our clients, our team, and the artisans who bring each design to life. I believe that when you lead with generosity – sharing knowledge, supporting craftsmanship, and celebrating the women we dress – you build something meaningful. That philosophy has shaped how we grow the brand, support our partners, and continue evolving while staying true to our DNA. Giving in that way ultimately strengthens the entire community around the brand.”

LEVEL 1, Saks Fifth Avenue Wing
714.241.4432

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I believe that when you lead with generosity – sharing knowledge, supporting craftsmanship, and celebrating the women we dress – you build something meaningful

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MONIQUE LHUILLIER

Jessica McCormack

JESSICA McCORMACK

Founder and Creative Director

Launched in 2008, the London-based jewelry company has extended its reach to Southern California with a new South Coast Plaza boutique opening this year. The company also recently tapped Hollywood actor, director and producer Zoë Kravitz as its first brand ambassador, collaborator and muse, underscoring its alignment with strong women. On the subject of International Women’s Day and female empowerment, McCormack says, “Collaboration is truly at the heart of how we operate. We are a predominantly female-led business, from our design studio to the extraordinarily skilled women in our workshop, and there is a deep sense of mutual support that runs through every department of the company. I’ve always believed that when women champion one another, creativity, and confidence can thrive. ‘Give to Gain’ resonates strongly with me because generosity in business isn’t just about philanthropy; it’s about sharing knowledge, creating opportunities, and building meaningful partnerships.”

COMING SOON
714.435.2000

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I’ve always believed that when women champion one another, creativity, and confidence can thrive.

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JESSICA McCORMACK

Sarah Staudinger

STAUD

Co-Founder and Creative Director

STAUD, the L.A.-based brand co-founded by Sarah Staudinger in 2015, leads with the belief that fashion should be both empowering and accessible, designed at the intersection of timeless classics and perfected novelty. At STAUD, “Give to Gain” is more than a message – it is a real business practice rooted in showing up for the community, with collaboration as a philosophy the brand actively embraces. Whether through cause-driven initiatives or creative partnerships, STAUD is committed to championing others in its community, as seen in its recent limited-edition Tommy Bag created in partnership with artist Merikokeb Berhanu to celebrate the recent arts and Frieze Los Angeles art fair. This spirit also extends to the brand’s support of animal welfare causes, including pet-focused initiatives benefiting regional shelters such as Love Leo Rescue and Pasadena Humane Society, as well as local resilience efforts in California such as donating a portion of proceeds from the limited-edition Seed Shop Tommy Bags to the Altadena Seed Library, which supports the community’s recovery and soil and seed restoration work following the Eaton Fire. Staudinger also believes that everyone should remain true to themselves, which includes giving back. As she told Forbes, “It’s important to figure out what you want and what works best for you and not try to squeeze into any box.”