Amal Clooney
Lawyer, activist and author Amal Clooney has a long list of notable achievements. British- Lebanese Clooney is currently a barrister for Doughty Street Chambers and specialises in international law and human rights. Her list of clients includes numerous high profile figures such as Julien Assange, founder of Wiki Leaks, who is fighting against his extradition. Clooney has a degree from Oxford University in Jurisprudence and an LLM degree from New York University. Since graduating, Clooney has worked for major law firms in New York and London. In addition to her extensive achievements in her career, Clooney is seen by many as a style icon. She was nominated for Best British Style at the British Fashion awards in 2014 and despite the award ultimately going to Emma Watson, Clooney’s style is closely followed by publications around the world. Her wedding to American actor George Clooney received worldwide media coverage, a lot of it based around her stunning Oscar De La Renta gown. Amal Clooney serves as a woman many aspire to, with her extensive career and timeless sense of style.

Emma Watson
Best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, Watson has become both a style icon and intellectual figure. She graduated with a degree in English Literature from Brown University in Rhode Island, USA. She is also a prevalent activist in fighting for women’s rights around the world, being appointed as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador in July 2014. In addition to her academic and charitable achievements, Watson has had major success in the fashion world too. In 2009, Watson became the face of Burberry and starred in their AW09 and SS10 campaigns. In 2011, Watson was awarded the ELLE Style Icon award, presented by Dame Vivienne Westwood. These are just two examples of Watson’s extensive involvement in the fashion world. One her most memorable fashion moments was when she revealed her super short pixie-cut after the final Harry Potter film. Watson said that she had “never felt so confident as [she] did with short hair”. Not afraid of critics, Watson made the bold move with her hair for no one but herself. Watson embodies the young, modern woman, combining both academic success and a love of style and fashion.

Alexandra Shulman
Editor of British Vogue, journalist and novelist. Alexandra Shulman is not only a big name in the fashion industry but is also a talented writer. She is a huge role model to many as she defies the archetypal fashion editor and promotes body confidence and diversity. Aside from Vogue, Alexandra is an accomplished writer, bringing out books such as Can we Still be friends and Parrots. Not only does Alexandra have absolutely no fear when it comes to speaking out about her individual style and will not hide behind ‘expected trends’, she is highly regarded for her business credentials as the longest running Vogue editor, fully deserving of her title OBE. This fashion editor is an all round academic and promotes serious issues in the industry working to improve the wellbeing of models, so is a perfect example of how style can further intelligence.

Dr Marga Gual Soler
Dr. Marga Gual Soler is a Project Director at the Center for Science Diplomacy at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Dr Soler develops the Center’s global science diplomacy education and capacity building initiatives, leads a research project analyzing science-policy connections around the world, and serves as a senior editor of the open-access policy journal Science & Diplomacy. This women is a huge name in science and medical spheres, contributing to major research yet she takes great pride in her appearance and doesn’t allow style to hold her back, using it to exhibit another dimension to her. Dr. Marga Gual Soler, is not just a well-regarded academic, or a pioneering style icon, but both; both these attributes construct her identity as an intelligent woman.

Beatrice Rae and Ashleigh Stern

Cover Image: Elle.uk