Made in New York

"Think of all the neuroses in this city: We're all busy and broke, and everyone's got attitude. Online therapy is perfect for the New York lifestyle."

—Bea Arthur, 30, founder and CEO of Pretty Padded Room, an online therapy service for women, photographedin Dumbo, Brooklyn

Sweater, $575, Skirt, $2,495, Shoes, $495, Michael Kors; Clutch, $730, Diesel Black Gold.

"Girls in New York are pretty badass. They're serious about their work and they're competitive. And they know that if they're good at what they do, people will recognize it."

—Lyndsey Butler, 30, downtown maverick whose leather-heavy fashion line, VEDA, outfits all the badass city girls, photographed in Chinatown

Jacket, $2,545, Boss
Sweater, $295, Shirt, $136, Veda
Jeans, $570, Isabel Marant Étoile
Shoes, $595, Manolo Blahnik
Bag, $1,690, Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane

"This is the hub of fashion and tech. Most major designers and retailers have offices here."

—Katie Finnegan, 30, cofounder of Hukkster, an app that sends alerts when your favorite items go on sale

"We're based in the Flatiron—it's referred to as Silicon Alley. Walk into any local restaurant and all you see are startups meeting with investors or recruiters."

—Erica Bell, 29, cofounder of Hukkster, photographed with Finnegan in Soho

On Finnegan:
Dress, price upon request, Bottega Veneta
Sandals, $1,233, Louis Vuitton
Bag, price upon request, Salvatore Ferragamo

On Bell:
Top, $595, Skirt, $795, Moschino
Clutch, $2,090, Louis Vuitton

"Every single block, every single window, represents a different life with a different set of dramas, triumphs, and failures. I find that both reassuring and inspirational."

—Kathryn Minshew, 27, founder of The Muse, a job-hunting site for young professionals, photographed along Pier 42 on Manhattan's East Side

Dress, $1,398, Ralph Lauren Black Label
Sandals, $595, Michael Kors
Backpack, $4,400, The Row

"A lot of women come here to achieve their dreams, whether it's in fashion, law, or politics. But the city is also becoming a center for innovation. We need more engineers here than ever before."

—Reshma Saujani, 37, founder of Girls Who Code, a nonprofit aimed at encouraging young women to pursue careers in computing, photographed in front of the Apple flagship store on Fifth Avenue

Dress, $1,240, Stella McCartney
Shoes, $1,290, Tom Ford
Bag, $2,550, Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane

Sweater, $770, Belted Skirt, $1,150, Salvatore Ferragamo
Shoes, $450, Reed Krakoff
Bag, $575, 3.1 Phillip Lim

"I used to worry that the gallery scene here would look down on me and my company since we were a potential threat to their businesses. But I've made several friends in the art world. We share stories and battle scars."

—Tze Chun, 29, founder of Uprise Art, an invest-to-own art gallery where buyers pay in monthly installments, photographed in Madison Square Park

"I get really inspired by my friends, who are artists and musicians—awesomely powerful women. I find that they attend social events straight from work, so I create styles that easily transition from the office to going out."

—Yara Flinn, 30, founder of Nomia, a womenswear line for impossibly hip It girls (like her), photographed in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Jacket, $1,290, Reed Krakoff
Skirt, $360, Pouch, $195, Nomia
Sandals, $840, Chloé

"If you like to partner with really smart, sometimes irrational entrepreneurs who see the world differently and risk everything, New York is your market. Being here—you can't help but think differently."

—Marissa Campsie, 34, vice president of Venrock, a venture capital firm, photographed near Columbus Circle

Top, $2,950, Pants, $950, Bag, $2,770, Fendi
Shoes, $750, Gianvito Rossi