Saks Woman of the Year 2019
Celebrate. Vote. WIN. In our 45th year *just like every year since 1974* we’re celebrating women. Those who step up. Those who step in. Making us laugh, cry, dance, think. Making change. Women and girls just like YOU.
Hot on the heels of 2018’s winner Paloma Faith comes this year’s shortlist of six more fierce females; each with that thing that adds something to our day.
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Join our conversation and be in with the chance to win! Vote for your fave and we’ll enter you into our monthly free prize draw to win £100 voucher to spend on hair and beauty at Saks salons all over the place. Our Saks Woman of the Year will then be announced in October… you like?
OUR SHORTLIST…
DARCEY BUSSELL
Principal of The Royal Ballet for nearly 20 years, Darcy’s one of our most celebrated dancers. Also a resident judge on Strictly Come Dancing since 2012, Darcey’s judging style and feedback is appreciated by all.
One highpoint of so many? At the 2012 Summer Olympics Darcey descended from the stadium roof epitomising the Spirit of the Olympic Flame and led a troupe of 200 ballerinas in a closing ceremony to beat the rest. On being dyslexic, Darcey says “it was ultimately a blessing because it helped me find my strength and directed me towards what I really wanted to do.”
Poised to win. Strictly speaking.
DUA LIPA
Started out uploading cover songs to YouTube. In what seems like the blink of an eye Dua’s worked with the world’s biggest and has produced a string of female-focused anthems – including the 2018 belter, New Rules. A record-breaking number of BRIT nominations and TWO Grammys later and Dua’s at the top of her game.
A brilliant role model for girls and cites Nelly Furtado and Pink as her girl power inspo. In 2016, Lipa and her dad set up the Sunny Hill Foundation to donate to the citizens of Kosovo; her parents’ homeland.
#GLOBALFEMINISM girl.
JODIE COMER
Charisma in abundance here. Jodie was a relative newcomer before being cast as fictional assassin Villanelle in Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s archetype-slaying Killing Eve. Jodie’s performance is subtle, playful and mesmeric… with a killer wardrobe. The pink Molly Goddard dress and Balenciaga boots anyone?
In real life, this down-to-earth Liverpudlian is best mates with Katarina Johnson-Thompson, *ahem* also on Our List.
We predict big things. And a riot.
KATERINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON
In 2018 Liverpool Harrier Katerina won the World Indoor Pentathlon and the 2018 Commonwealth Games Heptathlon; that’s this lot – 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin, 800m – twice whilst overcoming family bereavement at the loss of dad, Ricky.
The golds join a whole clutch of other wins and KJT’s family and friends – including our other finalist Jodie Comer – say “She’s strong, she’s cool, she comes from Liverpool.” We couldn’t agree more.
Clear front-runner.
OLIVIA COLMAN
From Norfolk, since 1974. Peep Show to Broadchurch’s DS Ellie Miller to Hollywood A-Lister; Olivia’s an instinctive actor who fuses comedy with tragedy. “This is hilarious, I’ve got an Oscar” being possibly the best Academy Award winning acceptance speech ever. Queen Anne and Queen Elizabeth II – can One actually wait for The Crown?
And anyone with a dog named Alfred, Lord Waggyson is a friend of ours.
A favourite.
STACEY DOOLEY
The feisty film maker fronts social affairs documentaries about young women around the world. Left school at 15 and began her career as a contributor on the BBC Three documentary Blood, Sweat and T-shirts. Also Strictly Come Dancing’s 16th winner – we loved Stacey and Kev’s adventures.
From interviewing girls in the Yarzida community with ISIS nearby, to adding sass to Saturdays and hosting Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star, Stacey shows you can care about human issues, and also do fashion and fun.
We love this Luton lass.
SO… WHO’S YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL? Celebrate sisterhood and vote to win!
See competition page for T&Cs. Images: Alamy