Fresh Talk at the national museum of women in the arts: Women Reclaiming Agency in Fashion
BY REBECCA BALLARD, NMWA Program PARTNER AND EVENT MODERATOR
Style with Substance: A Look that Honors Women in Fashion
Rebecca Ballard wore vintage Tracy Reese paired with fair trade jewelry she purchased during her first trip to India—where she later produced the inaugural pieces for Maven Women, the first professional fair trade womenswear brand for American women.
Every detail of her look honored women’s artistry and enterprise: a handmade Etsy necklace featured in Maven Women’s first fashion photoshoot and vegan shoes by Olsenhaus, the same pair she wore at the brand’s 2016 launch during the Copenhagen Fashion Summit.
Her ensemble reflected a lifelong commitment to supporting women in fashion—designers, artisans, and changemakers alike—honoring the past while dressing for the future, a perfect reflection of the evening’s spirit.
November 4, 2025 | Event Recap
On Tuesday, November 4th, the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) hosted an unforgettable Fresh Talk on Agency in Fashion, bringing together designers, historians, and advocates to explore how women are reclaiming power and purpose in one of the world’s most influential industries.
The program was developed in partnership with Rebecca Ballard, principal of Ballard Advisory, who also served as moderator. The evening’s panel featured renowned designer Tracy Reese and textile historian Katrina Orsini of George Washington University. Together, they illuminated the intersection of fashion, agency, and justice — past, present, and future.
Fashion as a Framework for Justice
Katrina Orsini grounded the conversation in history, tracing fashion’s modern labor and sustainability challenges back to the Industrial Revolution. She highlighted how women have long powered the industry through creativity and labor, yet have been excluded from the decision-making that shapes its impact. Her insights reframed fashion as both an artistic practice and an economic justice issue.
Entrepreneurship and Agency
Tracy Reese shared how her Detroit-based brand, Hope for Flowers, centers equity, craftsmanship, and sustainability. She emphasized building real skills and community-rooted entrepreneurship — especially among women and Black creators — as a pathway to agency and resilience in uncertain times. Her reflections demonstrated how purpose and profit can coexist through responsibility and care.
From Sustainability to Responsibility
Panelists challenged the audience to embrace a broader framework of responsibility — one that includes fair labor, inclusivity, and long-term systemic change. The discussion explored how leadership rooted in care can reshape industries, policies, and consumer culture alike.
The evening concluded with a salon-style reception where attendees continued the dialogue, connecting across sectors to imagine a more equitable and creative future for fashion. One participant described it as “one of the most inspiring and substantive events in D.C. this year” and another as “one of the best panels she has ever attended.”
Looking Ahead
Ballard Advisory is proud to have partnered with NMWA on this Fresh Talk program — one that positioned fashion as a lens for justice, innovation, and women’s leadership.
Rebecca Ballard pictured with panelists Tracy Reese and Katrina Orsini, as well as DC-based social entrepreneurs Delicia Gunn and Ayesha Hudson, following the Fresh Talk.
Engineer and entrepreneur Delicia Gunn, founder of Hempsulation, is redefining sustainable materials through hemp-based innovation that bridges design, construction, and climate action.
Developer Ayesha Hudson, founder of A-Peace LLC, is advancing community-centered, solar-powered housing models that reflect the same values of equity and care celebrated throughout the night.
