What should women in the arts and creative industry wear to feel empowered?
This question lingered with Brandei Estes, photography specialist, curator, and advisor, and Andi Gáldi Vinkó, photographer, after a visit to AERON’s Budapest store. Surrounded by thoughtful pieces, they imagined: what if more women creatives—photographers, curators, gallerists, and artists—wore garments like these? Not just beautiful, but made with the same intention and clarity they bring to their work.
Manifesting the idea, they conceived a campaign for AERON, gathering a circle of close friends, linked by the realm of photography. Shot in London, each woman wore AERON as a natural extension of her creative identity, and sat down for a conversation about her current projects and the way she relates to what she’s wearing.
More than a series of portraits, the campaign is a reflection on how women dress to do the work that defines them—and how garments can quietly empower them in doing so.
Can you tell us about any projects or exhibitions that you are working on this year?
I'm looking forward to writing plenty more, I feel best when I'm just ensconced at home putting words to thoughts. We are getting ready to celebrate the tenth edition of Photo London at Somerset House, where I curate the Discovery section for emerging artists and galleries—I love giving tours there and chatting with all the amazing artists and exhibitors. I've got an exciting book project in the works I can't yet announce—it'll be published in 2026. And of course, always working on the ongoing project of parenting my kids.
As AERON is a Hungarian label celebrating the creative process of traditional craftsmanship with cutting edge design and technology, is there a Hungarian creative past or present whom you admire and why?
The photographer Olga Máté. Such an incredible force and spirit, a true trailblazer—she had her own portrait photo studio in Budapest and was an integral part of the intellectual circle there in the early 20th century. She was also a suffragist, activist and exhibited her work internationally. But like a lot of women artists over the centuries, she died in near obscurity.
Charlotte Jansen is a journalist, critic, and author who writes about contemporary art and photography, with a focus on the intersection of art, social justice, and activism. She wear the ALICE T-shirt and the KAI pants.
How do you feel wearing this outfit?
Empowered!!!
Where will you wear this outfit?
Tours, talks and meetings and as separates for the everyday.
Can you tell us about any projects or exhibitions that you are working on this year?
Talks and tours on What Lee wore, a work in progress pop-up installation that invites the viewer to experience what cannot be fully grasped, offering a contemplative journey into the realms of the intangible where images of white crepe garment bags perform, protect and preserve the presence of Lee Miller. I also work on two publications exploring aura, the power of imagination and memory relating to the clothing archive of the revered Surrealist artist Lee Miller.
I have just been awarded an EXPLORE immersive arts grant for my project titled ‘Mary Edmonia Lewis: a lost portrait bust re-imagined’. This June, I will be in Rome, where the studio of pioneering digital American sculptural artist Auriea Harvey is based to be mentored by her and research sculptural narratives and 3D prototypes in relation to my immersive project.
Gisela Torres is a London-based multidisciplinary artist born in New York City to Cuban parents. She wears the VIDAL shirt and the EDEN bag.
Are there any events coming up that you are excited about in 2025?
Gallery Weekend, Berlin, Photo London, The Phair in Turin, Art for Tomorrow in Milan, Award Ceremony of the Prix Pictet in V&A London, Paris Photo.
Is there a Hungarian creative past or present whom you admire and why?
Zsa Zsa Gabor for her elegance, timeless beauty, charisma and finding 9 husbands.
Isabelle von Ribbentrop is a passionate art collector and the founder of the Elisabeth-von Senden Foundation, established in memory of her mother, supporting the psychological care of cancer patients. She serves on the boards of several leading institutions, including the National Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Photo London, and the Contemporary Art Society, where she is a trustee. She wears the TRUDI pants and the MOTIVE blazer.
Why did you pick this outfit for the shoot?
I loved it immediately for its elegance and comfort. It was hard to choose though, there are so many outfits I would have been equally happy to wear!
Where will you wear this outfit?
I wore it for my opening at Sid Motion Gallery and beyond that, I can imagine wearing it all the time. It’s ideal in that it is so versatile, it can be dressed up or down, together, or apart.
Are there any events coming up that you are excited about in 2025?
I’m excited about Peckham 24, Off-Print and Photo London because I know a lot of brilliant people that will be showing work, have new books coming out or curating projects. It’s lovely to see people coming together and that I’d like to see more often… I’m also really looking forward to two fundraising events I’m taking part in—one in Paris in May and the other in Geneva in October—marking the 10-year anniversary of For the Art, a brilliant art charity. Sid Motion Gallery and I are also planning a closing event for my show towards the end of May, which should be fun!
Dafna Talmor is a London-based artist and lecturer who has worked primarily with photography. She wear the VIDAL shirt and the FORUM skirt.
Why did you pick this outfit for the shoot?
Because it felt like a suit made for me before I even put it on. Structured but fluid. Intelligent but wild. It reflects exactly how I want my work—and my presence—to feel.
How do you feel wearing this outfit?
Like 10 million dollars. It’s that rare combination: sexy, powerful, confident. It made me stand taller. It reminded me that great tailoring is emotional architecture—it changes how you move through the world.
Where will you wear this outfit?
I’d wear it to moderate a panel at Art Basel, or to a gallery dinner in Mayfair (which I’ve already done!). But honestly? I’d wear it on a random Tuesday when I want to feel like the best version of myself.
Carrie Scott is a curator, art consultant, and arts commentator dedicated to making contemporary art more accessible. She wears the MERCEDES blazer and the WELLEN pants.
Can you tell us about any projects or exhibitions that you are working on this year?
Photo London is it, it takes up every ounce of my being, all year round. This year is my first as director and it's also our tenth edition so it's feeling extra special.
Why did you pick this outfit for the shoot?
I love suits, they are my go to. They're a safe choice but never feel boring. You're never going to feel underdressed or overdressed in a suit, you're just going to look great.
Where will you wear this outfit?
This will definitely be in my Photo London fair week rotation. It's an outfit fit for a director.
Is there a Hungarian creative past or present whom you admire and why?
Hungary has a fantastic photography scene. I love keeping an eye on who the galleries from there are working with. ACB, Einspach & Czapolai Fine Art and TOBE all have an incredible roster of artists, ranging from vintage masters to very contemporary emerging artists.
Sophie Parker is the director of Photo London, an art fair which specialises in photography and lens based work that takes place each May. She wears the MILA blazer, KAI pants and the EDEN bag.
Why did you pick this outfit for the shoot?
It’s the perfect ‘everything’ trench coat—it’ll take you effortlessly from one season to another, layered up when it’s colder and easy when it’s warmer—and from running around during the day to whatever you need in the evening.
How do you feel wearing this outfit?
I feel great! It’s comfortable and structured but flattering, with smart details in the design.
Can you tell us about any projects or exhibitions that you are working on this year?
I am working on two new commissions that will deliver this year—a print commission with Jonathas de Andrade and a digital commission with Juan Covelli. They're both incredibly exciting artists who make impressive, compelling work; I started talking about these projects with them separately about two years ago, so it's great to see them coming to life.We are also about to open a new major display, American Photographs, which I co-curated, in the Photography Centre’s largest galleries. It showcases photography from the United States in the V&A’s collection, including objects collected as early as the nineteenth century and new acquisitions collected as recently as this year. We have been working on this show too for over two years, and it’s interesting to be reminded of how live our public programme is in its relationship to real-time world events. Come and see it!
Catherine Troiano is a Curator of Photography at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London. She wears the AVERY coat.
Where will you wear this outfit?
My wardrobe has to be versatile—shifting from day to night, casual to polished—and this coord does it effortlessly. The cut has just the right balance of structure and ease, making it perfect for slipping on with sneakers or sandals when I’m on the go in summer. But it’s the kind of piece that transforms with a quick change of accessories—add boots or a bold heel and it’s suddenly ready for a gallery opening or a dinner date with my husband or a girl’s night with cocktails. It’s versatility without compromise.
Are there any events coming up that you are excited about in 2025?
There are always a few things pencilled into the calendar as staples — from Peckham24 in May, with this year’s festival being ‘Come Together’, to Paris Photo in November. I can’t wait to return to the city, reconnect with colleagues. This year, I’m also looking forward to the Liverpool Biennial, which takes its theme from BEDROCK – as both a definition of the geological layer between surface and foundation as well as a metaphor to reflecting on the core principles of who we are and how we come to be.
Bindi Vora is an interdisciplinary artist of Kenyan Indian heritage and a senior curator at Autograph, a visual arts organisation dedicated to exploring identity, representation, human rights, and social justice through photography. She wears the ABIGAIL shirt and WELLEN pants.
Can you tell us about any projects or exhibitions that you are working on this year?
I’m currently working on two exhibitions for 2006, both of which are in the USA. I’m also one of the five guest curators for Unseen: Amsterdam this year. The exhibitions are thematic group shows of all mediums. I am writing more fiction and this is something I want to do more of and am hoping to segue into something different over the next couple of years.
Why did you pick this outfit for the shoot?
Ever practical I picked something I knew I would wear again. I really loved the suits, but I don’t ever really wear one. What I loved about the clothes is the weight of them. You can tell as soon as you pick them up that they are good quality by the thickness of the silk and dense weaving in the trousers. I find that deeply satisfying. It feels good against your skin. I also really appreciated the good tailoring. It’s all the detail for me. It’s like I have a secret when I wear beautifully tailored clothes. Others might not notice, but I know.
Susan Bright is a London-based curator specializing in photography. She wears the TERRE shirt and the AURA pants.
“What first struck me about AERON is the quiet luxury and feel of the clothes; the fabrics and colours are of the highest quality. The cut, detail and simplicity combined with comfort informed me immediately that these clothes were designed by a woman, and one deeply creative and grounded in the arts. I knew that I wanted to share the love of this brand with my fellow photography creatives as they would understand and love the craftsmanship in the pieces—and they did!”
Brandei Estes is a photography specialist, curator, and advisor, and the former Head of Photographs, EMEA at Sotheby’s. She co-created this campaign with Andi Gáldi Vinkó, gathering a circle of their close friends, each an inspiring women from the world of photography. Shot by Andi and interviewed by Brandei, the campaign is a reflection on how women dress to do the work that defines them—and how garments can quietly empower them in doing so.
Andi Gáldi Vinkó
Photography
Brandei Estes
Andi Gáldi Vinkó
Creative Concept
Eszter Áron
Creative Direction & Styling
Liz Daxauer
Hair & Make-up
Charlotte Jansen
Gisela Torres
Isabelle von Ribbentrop
Dafna Talmor
Carrie Scott
Sophie Parker
Catherine Troiano
Bindi Vora
Susan Bright
Brandei Estes
Talents
