Glamour, in collaboration with Female Founder’s Fund (FFF), took center stage as the co-host of the highly anticipated two-day event, Camp FFF, held in picturesque Southampton, New York. With an impressive lineup of speakers and performers, the festivities commenced with a dazzling welcome dinner at Calissa on Wednesday, July 12.
Anu Duggal, the founding partner of FFF, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the significance of its evolution. “Camp FFF was launched three years ago as a response to the isolation many founders felt during the pandemic,” said Duggal. She highlighted the importance of bringing together like-minded individuals in an intellectually stimulating environment to foster meaningful conversations and connections. “You have been invited to join us because we believe that the companies you’re building have the potential to redefine the industry. So we encourage all of you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to network and learn from the incredible women carefully curated in today’s group.” Duggal expressed her gratitude to the co-hosts of the evening, Glamour and Estée Lauder, as well as the event sponsors, including Amazon Web Services, Globalization Partners, Sequoia Consulting, and LionTree.
As the sun dipped, guests arrived to welcome cocktails and passed appetizers and were treated to a performance by renowned poet and activist Rupi Kaur. Kaur’s spoke captivatingly about the challenges women face in male-dominated industries. “When men achieve the impossible, they’re hailed as geniuses and innovators. But when women accomplish the same, we’re met with suspicion, constantly asked to prove ourselves. Even at the pinnacle of our fields, they claim it’s not enough. So I wrote a poem titled ‘Woman Who Will Not Die’—a testament to our boundless potential despite being told we’re not funny, smart, or worthy. We are not going anywhere.”
Following the inspiring performance, a family-style dinner commenced. Glamour’s Editorial Director of the Americas, Samantha Barry, addressed the attendees, speaking about the magazine’s legacy of championing phenomenal women for over 80 years. Barry recounted how the brand had transformed from the Glamour of Hollywood into a feminist bible during the war era, advocating for women’s rights and empowerment. She highlighted Glamour’s ongoing initiatives, such as the fight for Paid Leave and the By Women initiative, which aims to educate and empower readers to support women-led businesses. Barry invited attendees to participate in the By Women initiative by consciously choosing to shop differently and emphasizing the brand’s commitment to promoting and showcasing companies owned and run by women.
The evening set the stage for a transformative second day at Camp FFF, beginning at the Wolffer Estate Vineyards for a light breakfast. This was followed by the actor and entrepreneur Brooke Shields in conversation with Samantha Barry. Together, they delved into a range of thought-provoking topics, shedding light on important issues within America’s entertainment industry. One of the central themes of their discussion was the sexualization of women in America and the importance of women’s voices in shaping the industry. Reflecting on her documentary, “Pretty Baby,” Shields explained how crucial it was to share her story as a woman navigating a male-dominated field. “What I realized very early on, at the age of 12 or 13, is that nobody wants your answer. They want you to answer everything the way they want you to answer it. And the resilience comes from really holding on to whatever your truth is,” said Shields.
