Two Female Leaders on How Their Personal Style Makes Them More Confident Bosses

About two and a half years ago, Daphné Jouanneteau and Jess Conatser met through the companies they run, Lightbox (opens in new tab) and As We Are (opens in new tab). Now, in addition to working for those businesses, the women have have combined forces to co-create #DecodeExperiential (opens in new tab), a digital art and technology-focused series that brings together leaders in new media art and experiential marketing.

Whether they're hosting an artist meet-up for #DecodeExperiential or meeting with clients for their respective businesses, Daphné and Jess both value the importance of presentation and the impact fashion can have on a career. As it turns out, the two creatives have a pretty similar idea of what that means: "Jess and I have definitely showed up at meetings wearing the exact same outfit from head to toe," Daphné says. The formula? Simple, chic, and comfortable.

Finding a balance of comfort and fashion is particularly important when it comes to shoes—both women gravitate toward styles that are versatile and will hold up well after trekking the streets of New York City. Two styles from SOREL's Joan Wedge collection passed the test: the SOREL Joan of Arctic Wedge II Buckle Boot (opens in new tab) and Joan of Arctic Wedge II Zip Boot (opens in new tab).

The boots, when paired with a sharp blazer or midi skirt, create an outfit that these two bosses can wear with confidence throughout their work day. Check out their style tips for three looks—and while you're at it, take notes.

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Daphné is the CEO of Lightbox (opens in new tab)—an experiential event space—that she joined at age 19 after moving to New York from France, where she was born and raised. "I've always kind of held on to my style as a way to kind of evoke confidence," she says. "Even if I'm the youngest person in the room, I think it really helped give me that confidence." One of her go-to moves is to dress up a simple look with a piece that makes more of a statement, like this trench coat—you can't not feel like a boss in that.

For Jess, a polished blazer is the perfect addition to a simple outfit when heading into a pitch meeting for her creative concept studio, As We Are (opens in new tab). "It gives me the look and feel to really feel grounded in that space and say what I need to say to really get people to believe in what it is I'm pitching them," she says. The SOREL Joan Wedge Buckle is a choice she doesn't have to think too much about—"I can throw them on with anything," she says, which means getting out the door and confidently heading toward a pitch meeting sooner.

Daphné: Sorel boots, sorel.com (opens in new tab); Sezane trenchcoat, sezane.com (opens in new tab); Jungmaven t-shirt, jungmaven.com (opens in new tab); Agolde jeans, agolde.com (opens in new tab); Poms sunglasses, pomspoms.com (opens in new tab); Officina Del Poggio bag, officinadelpoggio.com (opens in new tab)

Jess: Sorel boots, sorel.com (opens in new tab); Serrano blazer, serranostore.com (opens in new tab); & Other Stories jeans, stories.com (opens in new tab); Carolina Santo Domingo bag, carolinasantodomingo.com (opens in new tab); Enki sunglasses, enkieyewear.com (opens in new tab)

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Style-wise, both women aim to strike a balance of sophistication and simplicity. This requires having pieces that can be dressed up or down, depending on the outfit and events of the day.

Take the SOREL Wedge Zip boots (opens in new tab) that Daphné wears, for example. "I like to go back and forth between formal-ish and casual depending on how I feel," she says. "I always know that no matter what, I would have a shoe like this around that is going to be great to pair with anything and can always tie a look together."

The jacket over her shoulders gives the dress more of a relaxed look, as well, making it an outfit she'd be comfortable wearing in her day-to-day at Lightbox.

Jess likes to focus on efficiency when it comes to her work wardrobe. "I want something that can take me from morning meetings or brainstorming sessions to evenings like after-work drinks or gallery events," she says. "I need it to be casual, but also smart and buttoned up." The sweater and skirt combo paired with the boots is a great day-to-night outfit that is comfortable enough to move around the city in.

Daphné: Sorel boots, sorel.com (opens in new tab); & Other Stories dress, stories.com (opens in new tab); Lioness blazer, lionessfashion.com (opens in new tab); Machete earrings, shopmachete.com (opens in new tab)

Jess: Sorel boots, sorel.com (opens in new tab); Iro sweater, iroparis.com (opens in new tab); Ayr skirt, ayr.com (opens in new tab); Machete earrings, shopmachete.com (opens in new tab)

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Daphné and Jess' personal style continues to play an integral role in the big moves they've made in their careers individually and together with #DecodeExperiential. One of their shared pivotal moments was having the opportunity to take over the One Times Square Building in Times Square. (opens in new tab)

For nearly a month, the building gave #DecodeExperiential space to display more than 25 pieces of digital art while its LED screens were being rebuilt. During that time period, having a polished look for the important pitches the women were giving was essential, but also making sure that they felt empowered in what they were wearing.

"I think doing something like that and hosting these artists to see the actual work on these massive screens in the epicenter of the world was kind of huge for all of us," Jess says. "Being able to dress the part and wear something comfortable shoe-wise, but also chic allowed me to be in one of the busiest places in the world and feel comfortable and confident."

Daphné: Sorel boots, sorel.com (opens in new tab); Sezane coat and blouse, sezane.com (opens in new tab); Agolde jeans, agolde.com (opens in new tab); Young Frankk necklace, youngfrankk.com (opens in new tab); Maslo earrings, maslowjewelry.com (opens in new tab); Emm Kuo bag, ekrdesigns.com (opens in new tab)

Jess: Sorel boots, sorel.com (opens in new tab); Baum Und Pferdgarten top, baumundpferdgarten.com; (opens in new tab) Iro pants, iroparis.com (opens in new tab); Coco Sands belt, shopcocosands.com (opens in new tab)