Girl Power | The global consumer power of women

Women control more than $20 trillion or about 70 percent of global consumer spending and that number is only expected to rise. By 2014, the World Bank predicts that the global income of women will grow by more than $5 trillion. The female economy is transforming our products and services and redefining where the consumer power lies.

How can businesses creatively connect with women and harness the full potential of this unique and powerful opportunity? Read my latest feature in Marketing Week.

The Women's Way

Lisa Tse and Alicia Keys

As Summer draws to close ( despite London hitting a record 29 degrees in October) it's back to some serious work for most returning to the City to face a busy Fall. Our Summer, however, has been spent developing our wonderful collaboration between The Sorority and Keep a Child Alive with the fabulous Alicia Keys.

Though supportive of fundraising parties and events, it has always been a personal mission of mine to contribute towards a meaningful enterprise with a long term view. 

The Chinese have a proverb; Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will eat for life.

I have always believed in the power of people; the collective influence we all have as individuals and as a group to mobilse change and shape the world we live in.

We are putting this to the test.

Our women's members club The Sorority is proud to be developing a collaboration this year with Keep a Child Alive that will empower women in Africa and India to end the cycle of poverty.

The Sorority’s collaboration with Keep a Child Alive, co-founded by Alica Keys and Leigh Blake, has a universal mission to harness the collaborative power of successful professional women to empower women in the developing world.

Leading thinkers in social development, including the world bank, hail investing in women as “smart economics,” an untapped resource that can help solve many of the problems we see in our world today.

Investing in women produces a positive ripple effect of improved health, education, and welfare for all household members.

More than 70% of people who live below the poverty line are women.

Many of us have had the privilege of benefiting from opportunities and support that have been denied to these women.

It is my hope that we can combine our expertise, influence and strength from our successes to empower others.

To find out more register for updates on The Sorority website and don't miss our news and how you can support us!

Fashion's Night Out

Dior Taxi

There is a wonderful sense of occasion when the stylish London set emerge for the most glamorous street party in town. Bond Street and neighbouring areas came alive as boutiques hosted individual parties featuring live musical performances and special events attracting families and fashionistas alike. It is a genuine pleasure to see such a spectacle on what is ordinarily a luxury retail destination and one of the reasons why I love London. As the cocktails flowed visitors could take a chance at winning a Hermes Bangle at the Bangle Bowling Trailer.

With queues around the block it was a highlight for many this evening. As for me, I joined the eclectic crowds at Louis Vuitton, including Vogue's Editor in Chief Alexandra Shulman, in admiring the fetching balloon puppies.  Can't wait for next year.

Vuitton's hosts included inflatable canines

Win an Hermes Bangle at the Bangle Bowl

Bastille Day with Roland Mouret

Roland Mouret hosted a Bastille Day reception last night with Quintessentially Gifts at his newly launched Mayfair Maison in Carlos Place, opposite the Connaught Hotel.
Scarlett Johansson, Dita Von Teese, Victoria Beckham, Cameron Diaz and Rachel Weisz have all queued up to own one of Mouret’s iconic Galaxy dresses and now Mouret’s next fashionable chapter starts in W1.

The new flagship store is a six-storey dream with its 19th Century charm forming an idyllic stage for Mouret’s creations, created exclusively for his London clientele in the atelier above the store.

Lisa Tse with Roland Mouret and baby Oscar

Mouret’s three classic dresses, the Galaxy, the Moon and Pigalle dresses have been reworked for this store – and the line has also expanded to include cashmere and sunglasses.
The Sorority members and I enjoyed refreshing cocktails as we caught up with Roland who complimented my three month old son’s fashionable ensemble. Baby Mouret anyone?

Tutu Time!

It was a delightful sunny setting for the English National Ballet’s inaugral Summer Party held at Kensington Palace Orangery. The cream of the British Fashion scene had rolled up (plus the odd Rolling Stone or two) to a serene gathering on a stunning summer evening. Welcomed by Nadia Swarovski, guests had gathered that evening as part of a fundraising auction for English National Ballet.

Several designer tutus and accessories were being silently auctioned that night with couture creations by Moshino, Giles Deacon, Erdem, Roksanda Ilincic and Sorority sister Beatrix Ong.

Christian Louboutin produced a pair of eight-inch Swarovski-encrusted heels based on the ballet shoe.

The auction hopes to raise over £50,000 for the ENB following the Arts Council’s decision to cut its grant by around £2 million and was attended by guests including Prince Andrew, Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes and Ronnie Wood.

Alicia Keys Black Ball

Alicia with baby Oscar


Alicia Keys is a superwoman. A champion for female empowerment and mother to baby Egypt, she is a light-bearing force and an incredibly talented musician to boot.

I introduced her to my 9 week old son Oscar at dinner at Mews of Mayfair this week, the night before her Black Ball fundraising extravaganza. We are in the process of developing a project together and her foundation Keep a Child Alive, which provides support and lifesaving medication for HIV/AIDS sufferers in Africa and Indian.

I am a huge admirer and fan of Leigh Blake- the Founder and President of Keep a Child Alive. A true force to be reckoned with, she has devoted her life to the poor, and her mission is simply awe-inspiring. Since starting the foundation in 2001, their programmes have served over 300,000 individuals and their families.


Lisa Tse and Leigh Blake - Founder of Keep a Child Alive


Alicia speaks at the Black Ball

The glamorous and the good gathered for the fabulous Black Ball at Camden's Roundhouse.

Hosted by Alicia Keys and Mark Ronson, guests were treated to exceptional performances from Tinie Tempah, Paloma Faith, George Michael and Beth Ditto.

The evening finale culminated in Alicia taking to the stage with Paloma Faith and Beth Ditto to sing an all female rendition of George Michael’s ‘Freedom’. George had been due to perform himself but had to pull out last minute because of a tooth infection which sent waves throughout the Twittersphere when Alicia tweeted during the after-party “One question…who would bail on 15 million orphans? George Michael…”

For me, the highlight of the evening was hearing the first hand accounts from Carol Dyantyi. She witnessed the hardship of children left to fend for themselves and their siblings, and knew her life’s mission was to take action. There are now over 2000 orphans under Carol’s care in Soweto, South Africa.

These moving stories are the roots of the work Keep a Child Alive undertakes, and as President and Founder Leigh Blake told us last night “what we do today defines who are are tomorrow. Our life is our message…”

We can all make a difference – what will you do today?

I will make it our mission that The Sorority will support the work of Alicia and Leigh, and make a pledge to mobilze change to empower women and children under their care.

Dazzling Diamonds with Harry Winston

All ladies love a bit of bling and what better way to indulge in our magpie tendencies than to spend an evening surrounded by some of the most beautiful gems in the world.

Harry Winston, a name synonymous with Hollywood starlets and glamour, hosted a diamond reception with The Sorority in their private salon in Mayfair, London.

Sorority guests were treated to the unveiling of the Lily Cluster collection whilst Managing Director Dennis O'Connor introduced the glittering world of Harry Winston, that counts legendary stars such as Elizabeth Taylor amongst their discerning fans.

One of the most well known jewels in Winston's collection was the Hope Diamond; a 45.52 carat deep blue diamond which Winston donated to the Smithsonian Museum of National History in 1958.

In 2010, the Hope Diamond was unveiled and put on public display at the Smithsonian Museum in a temporary newly designed necklace called "Embracing Hope," created by the Harry Winston.

Despite the Hope Diamond being housed in the US, we had the privilege of experiencing some truly stunning pieces including a 40 carat yellow diamond ring (£2.5million) and several dazzling necklaces (£2million) which we were invited to try on. This is taking "playing dress up" to a whole other level...

Sorority members enjoyed champagne and canapes as we enjoyed the stunning craftmanship and design of the Harry Winston collections. And if you don't fancy remortaging your house for the 40 carat ring, the more accessible Lily Cluster Collection offers discerning women the same style and elegance that only comes with the Harry Winston name.

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Does this £2million piece suit me?


Lisa Tse and Dennis O'Connor, Managing Director Harry Winston


Nahid De Belgeonne tries on the 40 carat yellow for size