As the event’s keynote speaker, Yara Shahidi was at the center of it all.
, but the brand’s contributions go beyond baubles. Each year the Cartier women’s initiative program helps female entrepreneurs reach their potential through programs that empower their businesses and enrich their lives. In the 15 years since CWI began, its awards, fellowships, and leadership programs have helped 262 fellows and provided more than six million dollars in grants to companies whose work is a force for societal good.
That conversation came in the middle of the pandemic, so the first CWI event Shahidi attended happened virtually. “At that time, we weren’t able to meet in person, but we had a wonderful conversation about the importance of diversity and inclusion,” she says. “To be in a partnership where we can have these gatherings—virtually or face to face—is wonderful. We get to celebrate 15 years of supporting women globally through these initiatives while creating moments like the gala.
Addressing the audience in Dubai, the star stepped into a familiar role: public speaker. “Coming out of two years where I did so much speaking, but it was all from the comfort of my bedroom or downstairs in my office, being physically back on a stage feels like a brand new experience,” says Shahidi. “I love the energy and fun that comes from being in the same room with everyone [and] there are so many incredible women. I dove into their work beforehand, especially those involved in technology.
Given the impact the attendees have, Shahidi wanted her keynote to focus on a meaningful topic, and the one she selected was deeply personal. “This is a truly intergenerational gathering, so I wanted to discuss the impact that intergenerational exchange has had on my life,” says Shahidi. “So much of who I am stems from my grandparents and the generations who came before me, the mentors that I’ve picked up along the way.
In keeping with that spirit, Shahidi noted the role the fashion community can have in creating such change. “Fashion and self-expression hold so much power,” she says. “When you think about the ways in which discrimination has played out, so much of it has been about policing expression. Any attempt to make fashion more inclusive, accessible, thoughtful, and capable of giving people the tools and agency to express themselves is so important.
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