If you’ve heard the name Nasty Gal before, you’ve probably drooled over finds like their slouchy kimono-inspired dresses or slinky faux-leather skirts, browsed through their massive online selection of vintage finds, or merely been a fan of the brand’s namesake, a 1975 Betty Davis album known for its brash, in-your-face style.
Jo Ratcliffe
But lately, Nasty Gal founder and CEO Sophia Amoruso has been making headlines for more than just her gleeful Take No Prisoners attitude–she’s lauded as an inspiration for a generation of women, a Cinderella story for the digital age, and a much-needed antidote to the image of the millennial slacker. As if turning a small eBay venture into a multi-million dollar fashion empire before the age of thirty wasn’t enough, she’s published her first book—part memoir, part business strategy, part DIY success bible—to critical acclaim. And now, just several short months after wrapping up the #GIRLBOSS book tour, she’s announced her latest plan to change the world: the GIRLBOSS Foundation, dedicated to rewarding and empowering the next generation of female leaders, visionaries, and artists.
Jo Ratcliffe
Are you a female creative over the age of eighteen working in the fields of design, fashion, music, or the arts? GIRLBOSS has you covered. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, with project grants ranging from $500 to $15,000.
There’s tons more information available on their website, including information about how to submit your proposal, but there’s also this terrific part of their mission statement that is worth mentioning:
Nasty Gal and Amoruso are committed to encouraging other aspiring GIRLBOSSes to get what they want by working hard, defying convention and never forgetting to have a lot of fun along the way.
Jo Ratcliffe
There’s this old convention that women are required to fit a certain stereotype in order to be perceived as successful. Qualities like “determined” and “ambitious” are almost never found in the same sentence as “sexy” or “fashionable.” The idea of a financial incentive to reward that duality—that smart women with sharp business skills can also be funny, be fashionable, and be sexy—feels revolutionary. And while browsing through the exceptional women featured on their website—GIRLBOSSES like journalist Ann Friedman or creative director Ciarria Pardo—I can only imagine the types of amazing applicants that the foundation will choose to assist.
So, lady-leaders of the world—rise up! And submit your best project proposals to the GIRLBOSS Foundation, while rocking both your stiletto heels and your well-organized spreadsheets. Sophia Amoruso and the Nasty Gal team are ready to help you change the world.
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