The ones who run the city.

Time causes things and overall life to evolve. March will always be Women's History Month but when March comes around each year, we have more history to highlight.

New York is known for its historical resume of dominating industries like music, fashion, and media. You can randomly meet a woman in the Bronx from the Lower East Side who has the smoovest taste in clothing, you can meet another powerhouse of a gal from Brooklyn via Clubhouse, meet the most vibrant and bold jeweler in the Lower East Side at a Nike NYFW event while in line for the bathroom, or a woman sneaker designer and business owner via the timeline.

Being a woman is something within itself that makes us untouchable, but being a woman who is walking in her purpose adds a few more powerful points. It's vibrant. It oozes. It shines. It reigns supreme and we all see it.

Within the year of 2022, I met a lot of women who have taken up so much space in their own cultivated communities, on their timelines, and in the physical streets of New York.

Being involved in sneakers is a hobby of mine. It has brought me into rooms and conversations I'd never thought I'd be in. It has introduced me and connected me to specific women who are such gems and bosses. All four of these women pour into women's fashion scenes differently but are all essential to each tier.

Lilith NYC is a Queens-based, global luxury footwear brand for women and femmes. Internationally covering so much land on the globe, Sarah's signature Purple Sunset or the latest fan favorite, 'Kali Blue' has caught the eyes of the right womxn. Successfully hosting pop ups in both New York's mens and womens Nordstroms Flagship stores in Columbus Square, Lilith has made their stamp. Honoring New York femmes by investing into Vibram soles, comfort is at the front of the forefront along with style. Understanding a woman's foot inside and out, our comfort has been the priority. Growing up in New York, Sarah experienced and witnessed working women swap their sneakers for their office heels. From being the Director of Product Analytics at Nike to owning her own footwear, Sarah is here and is here to stay. Understanding the numbers that women are the dominant consumer of all products and we aren't represented properly.

Lot28 was born from a love for jewelry and the natural world. Lot28 is a woman owned jewelry shoppe on the Lower East side. Hand making each piece, Jocleyn has created the perfect stack-able set and conversation starter. Each piece is hand painted, hand packaged, by Jocleyn herself. She has produced one of the most vibrant lines to date. From rings, to earrings, to chords that can be used for a necklace, bracelet, or anything else your stylish mind desires. The Chicka Chika Boom Boom inspired line has the gworlz going jelly.

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On the second Sunday of December, I brought two fashionistas, Bella and Ashley to the studio. While capturing these ladies in their Lilith pairs and jellies from Lot28, I chatted with these women on their take of current day fashion. More specifically, women in sneakers.

Catching up with Ashley, story-telling is what keeps Ashley an active consumer. While growing up in the Lower East Side her entire life, Ashley has seen and lived multiple eras of overall fashion but specifically sneakers. Being a sneakerhead is something that came naturally to Ashley. She loves the fact that story-telling has given her the opportunity to learn more about sneakers and the history of fashion. Owning about 100 pairs of sneakers, she does not plan on stopping the collection process. Feeling fulfilled in the fact women are coming and "disrupting" this male dominated space, she is looking forward to continuing to be a part of more history.

During her journey of fashion goods, Ashley has created her own business sourcing audiences to vintage luxury pieces under $500. During her days, she is on the internet scouting accessories and outerwear, curating and creating content, and then releasing them for us to enjoy. You can shop these luxury goods at The Vintage Lists.

Boss Babe, Bella is a Merchandiser of a well known retail establishment in Brooklyn. Fashion flows through her veins. Bringing products directly to the consumer is a hefty job but comes with a lot of fashion sense. Bella being on set was really insightful due to her work background. Loving the Lilith pair that she was styled with, the original 'Purple Sunsets', the life-long sneaker head enjoying the footwear from materials to the minimal branding. It's a 10 out of 10 for the boss Babe.

Feeling like "it's still a struggle" to take up space within sneakers. While in the corporate offices the energy given is overall a side-eye from the men. The powerhouse fuels herself on that emotion and makes sure to create more spaces for women to be themselves and actually shop. While wanting more women to be at the forefront, Bella states that she feels like consumers are getting tired of the same old brands. Understanding that those around us executing their own apparel or footwear provides the audiences with connectivity and insight that drive the consumers actually buy in. by.NETWORK will make sure to keep you updated on Bella's strides through the community.

As time has passed, New York has born and raised some of the most powerful and impactful women known to man. As time will pass, New York will continue to born and raise more powerful and impactful women. Stay in tune with by.NETWORK to always be sourced to the smoovest throughout the nation.

Thank you to Lilith for seeding us these beautiful pairs and to Lot28 for these beautiful jelly pieces. shop Lot28.design & Lilith.nyc.

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Assistant styling: Jaryana H.

Set Design: Claire Christianson

Models: Tianna Wheatherspoon & Ashley Walker

Sneakers: Lilith NYC

Accessories: Lot28

Photographed by: Smoove

Written by: Smoove