Behind every great coat is a great woman
That’s why we’ve chosen to name our new styles after the trailblazing heroines who dared to be different. And made a name for themselves in history doing so.
Illustrations by award-winning London artist Rose Blake
Rosalind Franklin
Who was she?
She paved the way for modern medicine, making her one of the most famous chemists in history. Her pioneering work on molecular structure in a male-dominated lab helped lead to the discovery of the DNA double helix in 1951. Who run the world?
Distinguishing features
Prepped to tackle any experiment (or storm) and full of surprises thanks to its flag-print lining. Truly one of a kind.
Agatha Christie
Who was she?
Born in 1890 in Torquay, Dame Agatha went on to write 66 detective novels and 14 short stories, selling two billion copies (a figure only overtaken by the Bible and Shakespeare). She gave us Poirot, Miss Marple – and the knowledge that you can do anything you put your mind to.
Distinguishing features
Cosy wool blend, semi-fitted shape and choice of two heroine-worthy colours. Solves the mystery of smart-casual style.
Phillis Wheatley
Who was she?
Born in West Africa in 1753, Phillis was the first African-American woman to publish a poetry book. At the age of seven she was sold into slavery, but by age 20 she’d launched her prose in the UK and had an audience with the Lord Mayor of London.
Distinguishing features
Bold shape, stretch cotton and statement stitching. Take centre stage in poetic style.
Dorothy Lawrence
Who was she?
A journalist who secretly disguised herself as a male soldier to report from the WWI frontlines. When discovered, she was sworn never to publish her article, and agreed in order to protect the friends who helped her quest.
Distinguishing features
Notebook-size pockets, a supersoft jersey lining and a waterproof finish. This hero’s ready for action.
Discover more pioneering women we named our coats after…
-
Gertrude Bell
Described as ‘the female Lawrence of Arabia’, she defied 19th-century social expectations by becoming an archaeologist, travel writer, diplomat, policymaker and the greatest woman mountaineer of her age (phew).
-
Margot Fonteyn
One of the most famous ballerinas in history. She formed an internationally acclaimed dancing partnership with Russian star Rudolf Nureyev. Their first performance at the Royal Ballet prompted 43 curtain calls and a 40-minute standing ovation. Now that’s a lot of clapping.
-
Mary Wollstonecraft
An 18th-century writer and philosopher who’s regarded as ‘the mother of feminism’. She wrote some pretty strong stuff for the time on empowering and educating woman in her radical book, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.
-
Boudica
The original trailblazing rebel. In 61 AD she successfully led a major uprising against the occupying Romans. This Celtic warrior queen sure knew how to stick up for herself.
-
Emily Brontë
Nearly 200 years ago in Haworth, Yorkshire, she wrote the ground-breaking Wuthering Heights. This was a time when women didn’t write novels – especially ones with wild heroines.
-
Mary Seacole
Praised as ‘the original lady with the lamp’ for her heroic nursing. Her offer to volunteer in the Crimean War was rejected, but that didn't deter her and she funded her own voyage across the sea. Once there, she wasn’t afraid to go on to battlefields to care for wounded soldiers.
-
Jane Austen
One of the most famous authors of all time. She published her novels anonymously and had them hailed by a contemporary male critic to be ‘much too clever to be the work of a woman’. She may have had to hide her true identity, but there's no concealing her sparkling wit and unforgettable characters (Mr Darcy, anyone?).
-
Helen Caddick
A Victorian explorer who was determined not to stay at home, and instead set off on her own to see the world. She kept a detailed diary of her experiences – not one to read if you have an aversion to creepy crawlies.
-
Ada Lovelace
This unconventional woman was known as the ‘enchantress of numbers’. Her dad (the poet, Lord Byron) may have not wanted her to study maths and science but there was no stopping her brilliant mind and she became the first computer programmer – yep, it wasn’t a man.
-
Kate Marsden
A 19th-century pioneering nurse who travelled to Siberia (think boat, horseback and sledge rather than car, plane and train) to investigate a cure for leprosy. She wasn’t afraid to step off the beaten track – quite literally.
More coats to inspire
Inspire me
Got a wardrobe block? Take a browse of our latest edits to get the outfits flowing.
