Canberra: Peak Women, launched by Jennifer Cowley, is redefining women’s workwear through ethical practices and social impact. Focusing on blazers and tailored suits, the brand supports women’s reintegration into the workforce while offering stylish clothing designed with positive affirmations to boost confidence.
At the forefront of ethical fashion in Canberra, Peak Women is making waves in the clothing industry with its founder and CEO, Jennifer Cowley, leading the charge. Cowley, who has nearly 16 years of experience within the Federal Government, launched the label in mid-2024, driven by a passion for empowering women in the workplace.
Peak Women offers a selection of three women’s suits, primarily focusing on blazers paired with trousers. Cowley emphasises that her brand is not only fashion-forward but also a “social impact brand that is by women, for women, supporting women.” The ethos of Peak Women centres on promoting women, particularly through ethical manufacturing practices and partnerships with local non-profit organisations that assist women in re-entering the workforce.
In an interview with Canberra Daily, Cowley explained her vision. She remarked, “Supporting women in the workplace is at the forefront of everything we do.” Unique to Peak Women are the positive affirmations printed on the linings of the blazers, which Cowley describes as a means to give wearers a confidence boost. “Taking into consideration enclothed cognition, we wanted to give the wearer that extra boost of confidence every time they wear it,” she added.
The manufacturing of the clothing occurs in Vietnam with a focus on ethical practices. Cowley specifically chose to partner with a manufacturer that employs women in difficult circumstances, including single mothers and survivors of domestic abuse. “An ethical manufacturer was really important to me when I started the business,” she stated. “I wanted to make sure we weren’t empowering women with our end product, while taking advantage of them along the supply chain.” This uncompromising stance on ethics does result in a higher retail price due to the costs associated with sustainable practices.
Despite her determination, Cowley faced challenges during the startup phase, having to navigate setbacks such as incorrect design samples and size issues. She shared her experience, recalling the strain of launching the brand shortly after giving birth to her son. “I had a very tiring day on our first photo shoot at the National Library of Australia in summer at eight months pregnant,” Cowley noted.
As a primarily online business, Peak Women is expanding its reach by hosting events where potential customers can try on the clothing. Cowley often welcomes women to her home in Canberra for this purpose. Looking ahead, she is in the process of finalising designs for a new range, which is expected to launch in the coming months. “We will change it up slightly: instead of having three different suits, there will be one pair of wide-leg trousers plus a softshell style t-shirt that can be matched with three different blazers,” she explained. Additionally, Cowley mentioned that the community’s request for hot pink as a base colour has been accommodated for the upcoming collection.
For those interested in exploring the offerings of Peak Women, the label’s website can be visited at peakwomen.com.au, or through social media under the handle @peakwomen.
Source: Noah Wire Services
