In a world where women continue to break barriers, Cartier stands as a steadfast advocate for female leadership, creativity, and innovation. Following the resounding success of the Cartier Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, the luxury maison is once again making waves, this time at Expo 2025 Osaka, with a powerful message: When Women Thrive, Humanity Thrives.
For Emirates Woman, a publication deeply rooted in celebrating the achievements of women in the UAE and beyond, this initiative resonates profoundly.
After all, Dubai’s Expo 2020 was a landmark moment, showcasing how women are driving global progress, and Cartier’s Pavilion was a jewel in that crown. Now, as the torch passes to Osaka, the legacy continues with even greater ambition.
A pavilion designed for impact
Cartier’s Women’s Pavilion isn’t just an exhibition – it’s an immersive experience, a call to action, and a celebration of female ingenuity. Designed in collaboration with renowned Japanese architect Yuko Nagayama, the structure itself is a testament to sustainability, incorporating repurposed materials from Expo 2020 Dubai, It’s a symbolic bridge between past and future.
Inside, visitors embark on a journey curated by global artistic lead Es Devlin, where intimate personal stories from trailblazing women, like filmmaker Naomi Kawase, actress Mélanie Laurent, and artist Mariko Mori, intertwine with larger global narratives. The Pavilion doesn’t just tell stories; it invites you to become part of them, encouraging donations of names to weave individual identities into its collective narrative.
The Cartier Women’s Initiative: fueling female-led change
At the heart of Cartier’s mission is the Cartier Women’s Initiative (CWI), an annual international program that has, since 2006, awarded $12 million in funding to 330 women entrepreneurs across 66 countries. This year, the initiative’s Impact Awards Ceremony will take place at the Pavilion on May 22, 2025, spotlighting nine extraordinary women whose businesses are solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
The Cartier Women’s Initiative at Expo 2025
Fittingly, the Cartier Women’s Initiative, will also host its annual award ceremony this year at the World Expo. Every year, the initiative awards a group of female entrepreneurs who have developed businesses and/or products that work to solve global challenges through sustainable social and environmental impact. Since 2006, the CWI has supported 330 entrepreneurs across 66 countries, providing more than $12 million in financial support to their businesses.
Applications for the 2026 CWI edition will open on 18 April, 2025, with awards across nine regions, including the Middle East and North Africa, and a special Science & Technology Pioneer Award. Thirty fellows will be selected and celebrated at a ceremony in Thailand in 2026.
Meet the 2025 CWI Awardees:
Tracy O’Rourke (Ireland) – Revolutionizing energy efficiency for businesses.
Kresse Wesling (United Kingdom) – Transforming fire hoses and scrap leather into luxury goods.
Kristin Kagetsu (India) – Creating biodegradable sanitary pads from banana fiber for women in India.
Caitlin Dolkart (Kenya) – A subscription-based emergency response service in Kenya.
Namita Banka (India) – Sustainable sanitation solutions converting waste into compost.
Yvette Ishimwe (Rwanda) – Providing clean water access across Africa.
Rama Kayyali (Jordan) – Digital Arabic learning tools for K-12 students.
Mariam Torosyan (Armenia) – An AI-powered app combating gender-based violence.
Jackie Stenson (India) – Distributing life-improving agricultural tech in rural India.
These women exemplify the spirit of the Pavilion, proving that when women lead, the world benefits.
“Living Together, Designing Together, For the Future”
The Pavilion’s motto encapsulates its three core themes:
“Living Together” (ともに生き) – Exploring how communities thrive through environmental harmony.
“Designing Together” (ともに輝く) – Envisioning a future where diversity fuels collective potential.
“For the Future” (未来へ〜) – A space for forward-thinking dialogue, honoring past wins while forging new paths.
As June Miyachi, President & CEO of Cartier Japan, beautifully states, “What can each of us do to thrive together, irrespective of gender? I hope the Women’s Pavilion serves as a catalyst for visitors to feel, think, and act toward a brighter future.”
Women’s Pavilion Global Artistic Lead Es Devlin & Architect Yuko Nagayama
Why this matters for Dubai, and the world?
Though the Pavilion now shines in Osaka, its roots trace back to Dubai’s groundbreaking Expo 2020, where Cartier first showcased the monumental impact of women. For a city that champions female leadership, from government to entrepreneurship, this initiative feels like a natural extension of the UAE’s vision.
As Cyrille Vigneron, Chairman of Cartier Culture and Philanthropy, notes, “Through this extraordinary platform, Cartier and Expo 2025 Osaka invite visitors to be part of a transformative journey—equally personal and collective.”
A legacy in motion
Cartier has long drawn inspiration from women, not just as muses, but as architects of change. The Women’s Pavilion is more than an exhibit; it’s a movement, a dialogue, and a blueprint for equality.
For those who witnessed its Dubai debut, the Osaka iteration is a thrilling next chapter. And for those who haven’t? It’s a reminder: The future is female – and it’s being designed, right now, by visionary women worldwide.
The Cartier Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is open from April 13 to October 13, 2025.
Read more at www.cartierwomensinitiative.com
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Images: Instagram & Feature Image: Cartier
