Meet the Woman Behind the Clothes: Why I Created Peak Women (And What I Want You to Feel When You Wear It)

When you walk into the office of Jenn Cowley, founder and designer of Peak Women, the space speaks volumes. Fabrics drape softly over mannequins, racks of clothing line the walls, and the mood is quietly purposeful. It's a place built on clarity of intention and conviction: to create clothes that don’t just dress women for the workplace, but uplift them in every sense of the word.

Before founding Peak Women, Jenn Cowley worked in government, helping steer Australia through post-COVID economic recovery. She spent her days talking about innovation, inviting entrepreneurs to help rebuild industries, and championing the power of bold ideas. And then, it struck her: "I could start a business too."  That realisation, paired with a long-standing frustration around the lack of practical, empowering workwear for women, planted the seed.

"So many women love fashion, but they don't see themselves in it," she says. "I wanted to change that."

Peak Women was born from that intersection. A desire to bridge style and substance, elegance and ethics, and make clothing that speaks to both the daily reality and the deep potential of professional women. But unlike many fashion founders, Jenn wasn’t interested in trend-chasing. She was designing for the long haul.

"The number one thing I wanted to include was affirmations in the lining of each blazer," she explains. "That subtle reminder, hidden from the world, that you're capable. You're worthy. You belong."

Her design process begins with empathy. Every detail is a response to real frustrations. She chooses crush-resistant, iron-free fabrics because, as she puts it, "most women don't even own an iron anymore." Sleeves are widened to comfortably fit different arm shapes. Waistbands are elasticated to flex with a woman's body, not fight it. Inner pockets are lowered so they don’t sit awkwardly against the bust.

These aren’t just thoughtful touches, they’re quiet revolutions in tailoring.

"I want her to feel confident and empowered. I want her to walk out the door with a positive outlook, knowing she deserves to be in that room, in that role, in that conversation."

That emotional intention can be found in every design element. For Jenn Cowley, confidence isn’t about perfection. "It’s not constant," she says. "Some days, I feel great. Other days, I need a boost, whether it’s putting on one of my own blazers or getting a hug from my son. Confidence is something we must build for ourselves. No one hands it to you."

Building Peak Women hasn’t come without its challenges. As a self-funded founder, she's poured her own money, energy, and time into the business. "I'm fuelled by passion and my own bank account," she laughs. "And it hasn't been easy."

Starting the Peak Women journey in 2021 during a global upheaval wasn’t easy. Designing clothing with no background in the fashion industry has been a steep learning curve. It took almost three years to launch the first range with many mistakes made along the way. Incorrect prints, manufacturing delays and a cost of living crisis have all had an impact on the new brand. “Owning a business is a roller‑coaster of self‑doubt. But the clothes? They have to show up consistent and dependable. That’s where trust is built.”

Despite the obstacles, the rewards have been rich. "When customers tell me how much they love the fit, or how many compliments they get, that lights me up. They come back to buy more suits because they know how good they feel in them. And that's everything."

Her definition of success isn't flashy. It’s deeply personal. "If I can help even one woman step out of her comfort zone and achieve something amazing, that’s enough for me."

At the heart of her work is a quiet but radical belief: that clothing can be a tool for change. "We spend so much of our lives at work, why shouldn’t we feel incredible while doing it? Why shouldn’t our clothes lift us up, remind us of who we are, and help us walk taller? That’s the energy I want in every single piece."

Recent research into the psychology of clothing supports this belief. Studies show that what we wear can influence everything from our posture to our performance, known as 'enclothed cognition'. "It's not just about looking good," she says. "It's about feeling different in your body, your energy, your outlook because what we wear communicates something back to us, not just to the world."

Now, with a new collection on the horizon, Jenn is shifting how she launches each piece. Instead of traditional seasonal drops, Peak Women will introduce each new blazer individually, paired with a pre-sale model to support ethical production.

"It allows us to involve our community in the process, be more sustainable, and stay true to our values. I'm really excited for people to see what we've been working on."

This community-first mindset reflects the very heart of Peak Women. And it’s why her customers don’t just buy a jacket. They buy into a philosophy.

"If Peak Women could change the world in one small way? Gender equality in the workplace. Women being in powerful positions. Women ruling the world in a Peak Women suit."

In a world where women are often expected to shrink to fit the room, Peak Women is about expanding into your strength, your presence, your full self. It's clothing that doesn’t ask you to change who you are, but honours who you’ve become. That, Jenn believes, is the true future of fashion: not transformation, but affirmation. It's a philosophy that acknowledges every woman is already enough and gives her a uniform to show up, speak up, and stand tall, wherever she chooses to lead.

It sounds bold. But then again, it’s how many revolutions start, quietly, until they’re not. Just like the affirmations printed into the linings of her designs, Peak Women is whispering strength, one garment at a time.

And for the women wearing them? The world is listening.