In honor of Women’s Equality Day, we're celebrating the stories of four extraordinary women who are redefining their crafts and forging new paths. We captured these trailblazers in their element, chronicling their journeys and their impact on the world. Each woman was photographed wearing the latest colorways of The Center Allston—Black/White and Wood Ash—as part of their daily uniform, showcasing how these iconic sneakers seamlessly fit into the lives of those shaping the future.
The Center Allston draws inspiration from the artistry of craftsmanship and craftswomanship, offering a fresh take on our classic Center Hi. Designed with versatility, movement, and style, this sneaker features an elevated platform outsole that adds comfort and sophistication to every step. It’s the perfect choice for those who need a shoe that is as dynamic as they are.
Whether you’re building skylines, brewing the perfect cup, creating art, leading a business, or curating style, The Center Allston rises to the occasion. With a thicker footbed for all-day comfort, this essential sneaker will be your go-to, no matter what your day demands.
Alexandria Monet, Co-Owner of Unorthodox Vintage
“I knew there had to be something more fulfilling out there, I just didn’t know what.”
Alexandria Monet owns Black-owned businesses She Thrifty Apparel and Unorthodox Vintage, curated secondhand clothing stores that are thrifted! A friend once asked her, “If you could quit your job today, what would you do tomorrow?” She answered, “Get on a train stop randomly and find the nearest thrift store in that area.” Now, the rest is history in the making.
As far as innovation is concerned, she and her team study people and systems and pay attention to how they elevate outfits in their own way. Alexandria believes that individuals tell interesting stories with how they dress, and if you pay attention, you can continue to be inspired to create or problem-solve.
Alexandria aims to give back to budding entrepreneurs in-store almost weekly. As her story circulates, many people come to her for advice, and she finds herself pouring into others in the hope that they’ll leave with more information and follow their passion.
Courtney Evans, Owner of Tactile Workshop
“I love to get dirty and into the middle of the work and the play.”
Courtney Evans is the Owner of Tactile Workshop. She is an architect, engineer, designer, dreamer, and doer.
She's been rolling onto male-dominated construction sites for a decade, usually with a pink hard hat, blowing people’s minds. They can’t believe the scale or quality of her work or that a woman is leading the team. Courtney believes that putting inspirational ideas into the world is important, and incredible work leads by example. She hopes other underrepresented individuals see my work and know they, too, can be master craftspeople of any trade they choose.
She believes that the quality of her and her team’s work should be equally reflected in how it looks, functions, and feels. She believes, “We exist to create art and bring impactful design projects to life.”
Jenny Bonchak, Founder of Slingshot Coffee, Bright Side Beverage Club, and Needs & Wants
“I'm proud to be a woman-founded and led company that pushes to be the best we can for ourselves, our team, our community, and our fans.”
Jenny Bonchak is a national award-winning barista and the Founder of Slingshot Coffee Company, which offers cold—brew black coffee, and Bright Side Beverage Club, a sparkling water brand. She is also the Founder of Needs & Wants, a beverage company offering superfruit teas with natural antioxidants and prebiotics. With 15 years of experience crafting specialty coffee, Jenny founded Slingshot in 2012 after selling her car for $5,000.
Having spent years focusing on palate development, Jenny Bonchak understands how to produce quality beverages. Every product is crafted with her companies’ rooted values, allowing Jenny to influence her target audience. She encourages other beverage brands to recognize the value they add to their category so they can revolutionize the space and impact consumers’ lives.
Melissa de Leon, Professional Stylist
“Embracing your differences and imperfections is the life force behind powerful, confident style.”
Melissa de Leon is the owner of Melissa de Leon Styling. She is a personal, commercial, and fashion stylist who connects women and brands (and brides) to their truest, most powerful style. She started her business in 2016 with a passion to connect the HEART to the HOW of fashion and style. Like many women, she’s had all kinds of misconceptions about fashion and has used fashion to fit in and feel more worthy.
She’s learned that embracing your differences and imperfections is the life force behind powerful, confident style. She teaches practical tools to her clients, whether they’re personal clients or represent a business or a brand. She aims to be a trusted friend and someone you can continue to reach out to for style guidance.
Melissa believes that being fashionable is taking FULL OWNERSHIP of yourself–knowing yourself and finding your own rules. “We were created as individuals, and that’s something worth celebrating. You can use fashion and style to do just that. It’s my joy to show you how.”
Join us on the blog and across social media in the coming weeks as we explore each craftswoman's journey in our Craftswomanship Chronicles series.
