Hold onto your shoulder pads: the power suit is seeing a major resurgence from the 1980s — a defining decade for women advancing in the workforce and staking their claim in previously male-dominated industries. At once bold, sexy and statement-making, rocking a power suit is a shortcut to feeling like your most empowered self, and it’s making a comeback in 2021.
Mercedes-Benz Canada and Canadian fashion brand Pink Tartan have collaborated on the She’s Mercedes Power Suit Project to create a collection of women’s power suits, each designed with a distinct style in mind. The project is part of the global She’s Mercedes platform, which is dedicated to sharing unique success stories of women from all countries, backgrounds and industries to unite, connect and empower.
With three Canadian powerhouse women as muses — songstress Mitsou Gélinas, The Social co-host Melissa Grelo and Canadian model and TV personality Stacey McKenzie — the project aims to showcase the different ways women express their personal style and dress to impress. The collection of suits includes three distinct designs, each reflecting a different interpretation of the power suit for modern women.
“The goal of the She’s Mercedes platform is to connect and inspire successful women,” says Virginie Aubert, vice president of marketing at Mercedes-Benz Canada. “We are truly humbled by the incredible Canadian women who have contributed to this initiative and are excited to now share the collection — as well as the campaign — with Canadians.”
Designed by Kimberley Newport-Mimran of Pink Tartan, each suit takes on the persona of different women at each stage of their journey. In keeping with the theme of women supporting women, all the muses have gifted the suit to an important woman in their life such as the inspiring colleague, the determined entrepreneur and a friend in need of additional confidence.
“Using fashion to make women feel confident and strong has always been at the heart of my design ethos,” says Newport-Mimran. “The She’s Mercedes Power Suit Project allowed me to tap into that passion while creating three suits that reflect each of these women’s individual perspectives, power, and confidence.”
Canadian photographer Caitlin Cronenberg was commissioned to photograph Gélinas, Grelo and McKenzie wearing the suits, and the full content series can be viewed at Mercedes-benz.ca/powersuit.
A portion of the project’s proceeds will go to Dress for Success, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing low-income women with clothing to help them make a good impression and land a job. The collection is set to launch on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2021 and will be available online at pinktartan.ca.