When Audrey Gelman and Lauren Kassan opened The Wing, the much-anticipated women’s club in New York, its October introduction came at a timely moment when a woman was on the verge of clinching the U.S. presidency. Now that we know it’s not to be, The Wing feels even more important as a place where women can work, collaborate and just be, even for a few moments, among other women. While the idea of female clubs isn’t new—the first iteration dates back to the late 1800s in the U.S.—in other Western cities, modern interpretations have been surfacing for the better part of the last 10 years. So for all its assertiveness and liberalism, New York was actually late on creating such a space for women who may be balancing work, motherhood, and everyday life against a lightning-fast, often harsh city.
“Women need to know that others are rooting for them, that others relate to their struggles, that their experiences, thoughts, and feelings are valid,” says Melissa Wong, who recently co-founded New Women Space in Brooklyn. “They need to be seen, heard, and valued in a way that traditional workplaces and the public arena do not usually afford.” Whether that means a desk to plug in and work, a couch to unplug and unwind, or a forum where women can express themselves, here are just some of the clubs around the world creating such a place for women today.
Grace Belgravia, London: Kate Percival opened this 700-member club in 2012 as a place for women to focus on health and well-being. The space features a spa, hammam, atelier, restaurant, bar, and gym specializing in female-minded workouts. In 2017 it will introduce #GraceTalks, a series of panel discussions that bring together London’s industry experts, pioneers, and academics to explore health in the 21st century. “There’s been a paradigm shift which means that increasingly women are seeking out other women’s company,” says Percival. “Not that they don’t love their husbands and partners, but they often have deeper conversation with women. Women have become less competitive with each other, more embracing and there’s a sorority that is stronger than ever.”
The Trouble Club, London: Founded in 2014 by London-based writer and editor Joy Lo Dico, the club includes more than 300 members who gather at various Soho locations—this year, events and meet-ups will be housed at the rather glam Groucho Club. In the evening, there are talks by inspiring women in various fields (although the upcoming lineup has yet to be revealed) and there's even an opportunity for a club trip to Budapest. Lo Dico bills the club as inclusive and open to all, with a mission to get great female speakers to talk everything from politics and economics to art and film, while drinking “a fair amount of gin.”
Verity, Toronto: Former investment banker Mary Aitken founded this 57,000-square-foot club in 2004. Her goal? To offer its 800 members a network in which to build relationships, further careers, and find solutions to personal challenges. Specifically aimed at time-crunched women, the Toronto club houses a fitness center, spa, pool, meeting rooms, in-house florist, members’ lounge, restaurant, and hotel. “Women are seeking a space to network meaningfully and make real connections, as opposed to digital ones,” says Aitken. “They are also looking for a space between work and home that allows them to socialize, connect with other women, and take care of their wellness with ease.”
The Women's International Club of Paris (Le WIC de Paris), Paris: Le WIC de Paris was formed to enable women of different nationalities living in and around Paris to share their cultures in a friendly environment. It is open to women of all origins who have lived internationally and are willing to participate in the activities of the club, which include film screenings, book clubs, gymnastics, and foreign language conversation—Le WIC de Paris features 252 members from 52 countries. While all functions are conducted in English, the club ensures a balance is met to maintain a truly international atmosphere. The club is part of Open Door, a network of international women’s associations that are non-political, non-religious, and non-commercial.
New Women Space, Brooklyn: Founded by Wong and Sandra Hong, New Women Space opened in October and features an airy, open space where women can connect and build community. Its prime Brooklyn location, in the heart of Williamsburg, lures an array of young women and entrepreneurs who are looking to collaborate and share thoughts at, for example, a morning yoga class or Saturday book club meeting. “Our location means there is no shortage of women submitting new ideas for classes and workshops, who want to host events in every realm you can think of, and those who have found comfort and strength in knowing there is a community space for them,” says Wong.
The Wing, New York: Lauren Kassan and Audrey Gelman’s brightly lit, pastel-hued space in Manhattan's Flatiron District is a second home to a wide array of New York women, many of whom work in creative fields. The club offers amenities like spa-appointed showers with luxurious products by brands like Aesop, as well as an entire room devoted to hairstyling and primping, complete with Harry Josh hair tools and skincare by Glossier and Byredo. The space also provides remote work and meeting spaces, and features light fare such as salads, gluten-free pastries, and coffees. For those seeking social opportunities, The Wing hosts events ranging from book clubs to poker nights, as well as gatherings for the more politically inclined, like sign-making gatherings for the Women’s March on Washington and breakfasts with representatives from Planned Parenthood.
