Rain Celebrates International Women's Month

Four visionary female designers share their journeys and inspiration for International Women's Month.

By Jesse Scott

From Paris to New York, Beirut to Bali, fashion is more global than ever before. Today's industry leaders and rising stars cover a remarkable range of nationalities, religions, languages and cultures - creating strength and unity through diversity. And while differing backgrounds shape distinctive worldviews, they also reveal shared human experiences that resonate across geographical and generational divides.

As Rain celebrates International Women's Month, we took the opportunity to sit down with four visionary female designers with poignant tales to tell. Beyza Arman, whose lifelong love of jewelry was inspired by childhood days going through her grandmother's box of heirlooms, founded her brand Peracas out of an artisan workshop in Milan then moved it to Istanbul's Grand Bazaar. Diane Goldstein was born in Paris, educated at Central Saint Martins, and expresses her nomad soul through a spiritual kimono-based brand called Monoki. Erika Peña, who has Dominican heritage, close ties to Puerto Rico, and a Parsons education, designs boho luxury resort wear from her current home in Bali. Finally, Christine Alcalay, who "grew up with a sewing needle in her hand," was born in Vietnam, raised in New York, and has run both a made-to-measure atelier and her eponymous brand out of a Brooklyn boutique over a transformative last twenty years. On March 27, she took the next step in her career, launching a much-anticipated footwear line starring hand-braided slip-ons and peep-toe mules.

The four women have embarked on vastly different fashion journeys. Yet in this Rain roundtable, as they spoke on International Women's Month, modern femininity, and their advice for young designers, we discovered that they share common philosophies - and the deep-seated belief that we should always stay true to ourselves.

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Jesse: What does International Women's Month mean to you?

Diane: It's a beautiful reminder that we are all connected beyond borders. It's about celebrating diversity, embracing different cultures, and recognizing the unique stories that shape us. For me, it's also a moment to reflect on how we can uplift and support each other on a global scale—through creativity, kindness, and shared experiences.

Christine: International Women's Month is a celebration of the strength, resilience, and creativity of women around the world. It's a moment to honor the women who paved the way before us and recognize the power we have to shape the future. For me, it's also deeply personal—I design for women who inspire me every day, women who move through the world with purpose, grace, and determination.

Erika: International Women's Month is a time that we need to celebrate ourselves and all women for being powerful leaders, mothers to the nation, and the goddesses that we are - creators of life.

Beyza: The importance of women should not be limited to just one month; it should always be remembered, emphasized, and appreciated. Therefore, even though it is not my style to confine the value of women to a single month, I would like to take this opportunity to celebrate all the strong, brave, hardworking, and loving women on this special occasion.

Jesse: How do you express femininity in your designs? And how is femininity expressed in your home market?

Christine (New York): In New York, femininity is multifaceted—it's both powerful and soft, structured and fluid, bold and understated. I believe femininity is different for everyone but it is in fact the power that we have as women. The city's women embrace individuality, eclectic and broad but my designs are about mixing classic tailoring with expressive, romantic elements. My designs reflect this balance: modern suiting that feels strong yet effortless, diaphanous silks that add movement and sensuality, versatile and thoughtful details that allow for personal expression and style. Women here don't follow trends blindly; they curate wardrobes that tell their stories, and that's something I always consider when designing. It's deeply personal because at the end of the day- it's what we CHOOSE to put on our bodies and show up every day.

Diane (Paris): Right now, women's fashion in Paris is all about effortless chic with a focus on tailored yet relaxed styles. There's a return to minimalism, with clean lines, neutral tones, and versatile pieces that transition easily from day to night. Parisian women are embracing a sense of understated sophistication, where comfort meets elegance.

At MONOKI, we reflect this by creating pieces that embody both timelessness and modernity. Our designs combine luxurious fabrics, refined silhouettes, and subtle details to ensure that every piece can be dressed up or down with ease. We focus on creating garments that make women feel confident and comfortable, capturing the essence of Parisian style—chic, versatile, and always with a touch of personality.

Beyza (Istanbul): Peracas draws inspiration from sophisticated and elegant women in designing pieces for modern times. A core principle in both our designs and brand identity is ensuring that women feel confident, bold, strong, and at their very best when they look in the mirror. My greatest sources of inspiration are the women around me—my friends, my family, the mythological stories I read, and the figures in paintings that resonate with me. These influences are naturally reflected in both the brand and its designs.

Erika (Bali): Our whole brand is about the empowerment of femininity and how we express it in the way we dress and feel. We use a lot of volume and fluidity in our dresses which to me represent the feminine energy.

Jesse: What is one of the biggest challenges you've faced in your career as a designer? How did you overcome it?

Beyza: I initially started production in Milan and later moved it to Istanbul. Currently, our atelier is located in the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul. The Grand Bazaar is a highly male-dominated area, with the majority of workers being men. As a woman, I initially felt the challenges of managing a predominantly male team. Being young, being a woman, and having no prior business experience with Grand Bazaar artisans led to some amusing yet challenging moments in the beginning. However, it has been an incredibly rewarding journey—one that I have thoroughly enjoyed, continuously learned from, and found immensely valuable in shaping my experience.

Diane: One of the biggest challenges I faced when I started my career as a designer was establishing my voice and finding a balance between creativity and commercial appeal. In the beginning, I struggled with staying true to my artistic vision while also meeting the practical needs of the market and clients.

I overcame this by staying true to my core values - designing pieces that I felt passionate about while being open to feedback and understanding the market's needs. I worked closely with my team to refine my designs and always focused on the quality and craftsmanship of each piece. Over time, this helped me create a distinctive style that resonated with both my creative instincts and the practical demands of the industry.

Christine: One of my biggest challenges was proving that small-batch, locally made fashion has a place in an industry dominated by mass production. When I first started, it was difficult to compete with the speed and scale of larger brands, but I stayed true to my vision. I focused on craftsmanship, storytelling, and building strong relationships with women who value what I create. Over time, that commitment fostered a loyal community that continues to grow. Slow and steady has always been the way I've operated and will continue to so that I can build a strong and sustainable business.

Erika: My biggest challenge I faced in my career as a designer was just listening to my inner voice and believing in 100% in yourself and in your vision. As a young designer, I thought I had to follow trends and influence, but as I matured in age, and with my brand, I learned that what set me apart as a designer is listening to my inner voice - embracing and harnessing myself and everything I believed in into my art. At the end, that is what sets me apart from all the other brands.

Jesse: What advice would you give to young women entering the fashion industry today?

Christine: Stay true to your perspective - fashion is at its best when it's personal and meaningful. Learn every aspect of the business, not just design, because understanding production, retail, and the economics and cycles of fashion will give you real power. Most importantly, surround yourself with people who believe in your work and push you to grow. This industry is challenging, but if you build with intention and heart, your voice will be heard by the right people. Continually refine your point of view and grow with who your customer is.

Beyza: My advice to young entrepreneurs is to take risks and not be afraid of failure. Unfortunately, things don't always go smoothly, but staying persistent and continuing to work hard is crucial. Additionally, they should remember that the sooner they pull out of risky projects or investments that they believe will end badly, the less damage they will face.

Erika: Own your femininity, be proud of it, never give up, and always listen to your voice. Do as many internships as possible with brands/mentors that you respect and honor so that you can learn and grow. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn; in fact, these mistakes are the path to knowledge, problem solving, and growth.

Diane: My advice to young women entering the fashion industry today would be to stay true to themselves and trust their intuition. The industry is fast-paced and ever-changing, but it’s important to focus on your unique perspective and voice. Don’t be afraid to take risks and make mistakes, as they are often the best learning opportunities. Also, surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors, peers, and collaborators who inspire and challenge you.

Most importantly, remember that persistence and resilience are key. The journey is not always easy, but if you remain passionate, keep pushing boundaries, and stay open to learning, you’ll carve out your own space in this exciting industry.