18 Women-Owned Brands to Shop + 25 Organizations to Donate

Because the Needle Won't Move Itself

Mar 05, 2026

A demonstrator during the Women's Strike for Equality March in August 1970. Photo by Bettye Lane from Harvard's Schlesinger Library. With Bettye's family's authorization, we framed this photographed and hung it by the door of my shop in Sag Harbor.

Hi there,

Every March 8th, the internet fills up with support for women. Brands that have never once considered the women in their supply chains suddenly find their feminist awakening. People proclaiming their outrage for the status quo, while only promoting men to higher positions. Companies launching philanthropic campaigns, collaborations with high profile women who lend them credibility, only to go back to business as usual in April. I’m tired of watching performance replace action in a moment when women can’t afford it. But it looks great on Instagram, doesn’t it?

I’m supportive of International Women’s Day, but I’d show up on a random Tuesday in October too because that’s what this work actually requires.

Matriark was built in 2019 on a single conviction: that supporting women is a given daily practice, not a marketing strategy. It’s the brands you choose, the businesses you recommend, the organizations you fund, and the women you champion in your own orbit every single day of the year, not just when there’s a hashtag for it.

And I always believed that the most impactful way to change a woman’s life is to help her thrive financially. Everything else follows from there.

When a woman’s business thrives, she hires other women, she funds her kids’ education, she donates to her community. Money in the hands of women doesn’t stay still, it moves, and it multiplies.

But women are still earning 84 cents for each dollar a man makes, the same relative wages as they were in 2002 (and, of course, the numbers are worse for women of color). At the current rate, it’ll take a whopping 48 years to reach parity in C-suite leadership. 42% of women face discrimination at work. 137 women and girls are killed every single day (60% by intimate partners or family). The data is damning.

So, as I always do, I’m sharing my favorite products from a very special list of 18 clothing, accessories and home decor brands from all over the world as my own way to change things within my reach, and a list of 25 organizations that are actually moving the needle for real women and girls. Use this list today, use it in June, use it on a Tuesday in October.

We’ve made a lot of strides, but there is still a lot to do, so let’s get to work. Happy Women’s History Month!

Sending love,

Patricia

17 of my favorite products and 1 place from amazing independent brands

Women-made, women-owned, women-powered.

Broyt is brand started by Eve Singer, featuring vintage finds. I love these tortoise shell French hair pins, modern and nostalgic at the same time. Through Broyt, Eve also creates meaningful gatherings, plans events and offers tableware rentals from her shop.
A tailored yet relaxed jacket by the brand Ossou, Co-Founded by Nina Khosla (founder of Fforme) and Talia Shuvalov (founder of Erede). “Ossou" is derived from the word "bone," symbolizing a foundational approach to wardrobe essentials. You’ll find many wardrobe staples at Ossou, but always with a modern twist.

Kiwi designer Jessica McCormack started designing jewelry to reinvigorate some of the antique jewelry making techniques that she had discovered while working at the jewelry department at Sotheby’s. Her pieces are instant heirlooms, and absolutely gorgeous. These Button Back diamond necklace and bracelet are a dream. Watch this fun video about her and her company.

A timeless and chic strapless organic cotton dress by Danish designer Malene Birger, whose creations reflect a sophisticated Scandinavian minimalism and luxurious utility.

I love too many items at TWP, but I’ve been looking for a soft denim trouser for a long time, and this cotton-linen piece is perfect. TWP stands for Trish Wescoat Pound, who blends the utilitarian spirit of the American Midwest with a metropolitan sensibility. Working with her daughter Jillian, a stylist, Trish designs clothes that are stylish, modern, wearable and timeless.

This is a remarkable 1850’s one-of-a-kind corset available at Desert Vintage, a shop that called Tucson's iconic 4th Avenue home since 1974, offering a carefully selected collection of unique vintage and antique pieces for both men and women. Since Salima Boufelfel and Roberto Cowan took the helm in 2012, the shop has built a loyal following by blending timeless finds with a modern sensibility, making one-of-a-kind style accessible and wearable for everyone. Run, don’t walk!

Australian Designer Danielle Milojevic designs pieces that allow individuality to radiate through, and this fun T-shirt from her brand Antipodean is a great example.

Love this long glamorous dress by Aflalo, which also comes in black if you are feeling less adventurous. Designer Yael Aflalo is also the Founder of Reformation.

Very affordable and cool eyewear, with a great mix of sunglasses too. Stock for for summer! The models wear the Jane and the Dakota. Designer Elisa Johnson founded her eponymous brand in May 2021. Elisa studied fashion in New York City, and noticed a lack of options in the market for eyewear, and the small number of Black owned brands. Her pieces have the craftsmanship and elevated designs of luxury brands, at a far more accessible price point.

Wales Boner Julien Slipper is a modern version of the ballerina, with a higher vamp and a feminine lace with metal tip. In addition to designing for her own line, Grace Wales Bonner has been appointed as the new Creative Director of Menswear at Hermès.

2025 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Winner Ashlynn Park’s peplum blouse is super feminine and yet so modern, the perfect piece for warmer weather.
Zero Maria Cornejo has been on the forefront of sustainable fashion for years, and I love her organic cotton Takeo Pant. We sold this in our store in Sag Harbor, and the fit was amazing.

A gorgeous embroidered placemat that you can add initials to. You can tell Oeuvres Sensibles has a creative, free, and artistic hand, all because of its Founder Sarah Espeute, who strives to restore value to objects through artisanal work, encouraging a new way of looking at design.
Anima Mundi has so many incredible concoctions, but her Collagen Booster Powder is my favorite.
A beautiful set of 4 dessert silver shell-bowl spoons, adding more sparkle and personality to your table. Les Objoies is a Paris-based brand dedicated to celebrating the emotional connection we share with objects. Founder Océane Buret sources pieces from all over France, Italy, and beyond.
A. 4 in 1 candle accessory, it works as a snuffer, a burnt wick + mushroom trimmer, a wet wax rescue spoon, and a smokeless wick dipper. If you burn candles often, you will know this is a life saver. Check the videos of its functions here (scroll down the page to see). Swand’s Founder Susan Nichols (who is also an inventor of yogitoes® designed a candle care tool that was both functional and worthy of her altar or her coffee table.
Well designed headboards are hard to come by, and custom pieces can be a small fortune. I love this company because they have a few ready to sell items, but can also do custom pieces that are actually chic and beautiful. My favorite shape is the Provence (pictured here), but there are 3 more options, each coming in 7 different sizes. Ylse Atelier is based in Sweden - their skilled upholsterers work in their own atelier in Frihamnen, Stockholm, and they operate with an all-women team. Daniella Peri (CEO) and Mikaela Rosén started the brand in late 2023 and want to make it easy to customize a beautiful bedroom.

I love when a space takes on different personalities. Maison Welles is a cultural home in Greenwich Village, encompassing a café, champagne lounge, and retail space. But the space vocation is is much bigger than that: Founder Ana McNeill built this space for creators and thinkers, and designed for conversation, creativity, and celebration.