More than an Outfit

Women have long faced barriers in the business world that have yet to be fully addressed. Professional careers were not built with women or gender-diverse individuals in mind. Women were given no input into the financial, systematic and organizational structures that lead the workforce and economy. Re-entering the workforce comes with its own layer of struggle as women come back from time away to raise families, manage households, or work jobs that better facilitate the domestic responsibilities expected of them. Immigrant women face difficulties finding work in new countries as many highly qualified and experienced women come to Canada or the United States only to find their designations aren’t recognized. They find themselves without the community or support systems needed to thrive, and struggle with understanding the societal operations and local recruitment practices of their new homes.

Dress for Success is an international organization, empowering women to secure employment and achieve economic independence. They do this by providing mentors, a support network, development tools, professional growth workshops, community and often, a dress or business suit. The organization strives to see women thrive both in their personal and professional lives.

Dress for Success began in 1997, in Manhattan. Nancy Lublin, a law student at the time, identified the need for professional attire for women and opened a used clothing boutique in the basement of a church. Dress for Success now exists in 144 cities across 23 countries. The organization has helped well over 1.3 million women work towards sustainable employment and independence.

Vancouver, British Columbia is home to the largest international affiliate of Dress for Success which began in 1999. Amanda Sayfy joined Dress for Success Vancouver as the Executive Director in 2024, and since then has helped strengthen the organization’s impact, expand its reach and build on its longstanding commitment to empowering women and gender-diverse individuals through career development, confidence and community.

Since our Vancouver boutique first opened in 1999, the heart of Dress for Success Vancouver has remained the same: helping women build confidence, independence and opportunity. What we do has always been about so much more than clothing.
—Amanda Sayfy, Executive Director, Dress for Success Vancouver.

“Since our Vancouver boutique first opened in 1999, the heart of Dress for Success Vancouver has remained the same: helping women build confidence, independence and opportunity. What we do has always been about so much more than clothing,” shares Amanda Sayfy, Executive Director, Dress for Success Vancouver. “Through professional styling, career development workshops and leadership programs, we help women and gender-diverse individuals build the skills, connections and community to move forward in their careers. While the demand for our services and the number of people we support continues to grow, our mission remains unchanged. None of this would be possible without the incredible generosity and dedication of our volunteers and donors, whose ongoing support allows us to reach more people and make a lasting difference.”

This past year, Dress for Success Vancouver served 2, 211 women and gender-diverse individuals, changed the lives of thousands, and contributed over $52 million to the local economy. This number makes part of the over 50,000 women the organization has served in Greater Vancouver since 1999. These women have contributed over $2.4 billion in wages to the economy. 

Dress for Success Vancouver continues to offer life-changing services thanks to the generous donations of individuals and corporate donors. The 2026 Success Luncheon will take place November 24th in Vancouver. The luncheon is the largest annual fundraiser for the organization, with revenue from the event sustaining programs throughout the year. The 2025 luncheon was incredibly successful, raising over $553,000, the most raised by any Success Luncheon in the over ten-year history of the event.

At the upcoming 2026 Success Luncheon, Dress for Success Vancouver ambassador Anita David will receive the 2026 Inspiration Award, presented by Norton Rose Fullbright. This award acknowledges a client’s journey through Dress for Success Vancouver programming and commitment to our community, exemplifying this year’s luncheon theme, transforming futures. 

Anita first came to Dress for Success Vancouver in 2011 for an interview outfit, and the programs and women she sat with became her source of strength. Through a lifelong mental health battle and life-threatening health crises, our community became her lifeline. Today, Anita is a patient advocate, one of the Top 25 Canadian Mental Health Leaders of 2026, and a proud Dress for Success Vancouver Ambassador.  Her story means a lot today, as so many women deal with mental health challenges alongside career setbacks.

Corporate climates were not designed for women and gender-diverse individuals, and often can create inconvenient or even hostile environments for those working in them. Dress for Success Vancouver works to understand and help overcome the many ways people are impacted by barriers and discrimination that go beyond gender, opposing the systems and structures that support inequality to drive progress at the local level.

Companies with gender-balanced boards are almost 20% more likely to see better business outcomes, reports research from the International Labour Organization. This same research shows that inclusive business culture and policies raised profitability and productivity by 63%, and women play a large part in nurturing profitable companies that go on to positively impact the economy locally and nationally. In a survey by the Business Council of Canada, two thirds of employers recruit talent through the immigration system, finding immigrants a critical source of skilled talent. According to the Government of Canada, in 2024, approximately 61% of super visas, which allow family to visit for extended periods, were issued to women. For Canada and other countries to see success competing for global talent, it’s vital to ensure women have opportunities to contribute to the economy at their highest level.

Dress for Success Vancouver prepares women to navigate the current business world by helping them build their skills and connect with a supportive community, providing them with the knowledge and tools to handle today’s business world and to pursue equality and accessibility at work. Programs like the Dress for Success Professional Women’s Group and mentorship opportunities offer the tools to achieve their highest potential through social and economic mobility.

Clients are referred by community employment and women’s organizations, with the point of entry to Dress for Success being a need for interview-appropriate attire. Many have faced rejection from employers, or silence after sending many applications. They arrive expecting to receive a dress, a handbag and shoes, but leave with the confidence and support structure they need to overcome the hurdles in their way alongside a new work-ready outfit.

The strength and resilience of the women that come through Dress for Success’ boutique doors is astounding. Many are mothers, or caring for older family members. Their yearning for employment and economic mobility is not for themselves alone. It’s a ripple effect when a woman finds sustainable employment that uses her skills and education while offering her validation, proving her worth.

Through events like the Success Luncheon and Success Donor monthly giving program, Dress for Success Vancouver raises valuable funds to provide support, mentors, dressing appointments and professional growth workshops. Volunteer support then makes it possible. Through every dollar and every hour donated, a woman’s life is changed and the participation of women in the workforce increases locally and around the world. The economy is reliant on women and sometimes, a woman is reliant on an outfit and great shoes to take the first step in. As we approach winter, Dress for Success locations in North America need winter coats, handbags and financial contributions. Find out how you can make a difference at https://dfsvancouver.ca