Woman with Drive: She’s Electric
Set against sweeping ocean views on the New South Wales South Coast, Porsche’s latest Woman with Drive event, She’s Electric, put women firmly in the driver’s seat.
Hosted by Porsche Cars Australia, the intimate event held on August 14 was a celebration of purpose, performance and female leadership. With the aim of connecting the next generation of Porsche women with inspiring stories of female figures at the forefront of their fields, the day also showcased the remarkable innovation of Porsche’s electric fleet.
The day began on the road, as guests drove a convoy of dynamic Porsche Macans and performance-driven Taycans through stunning countryside to Gerringong on the South Coast. Arriving at the iconic Dovecote house by Atelier Andy Carson, the residence provided incredible views of dramatic skies over the rugged coastline, as well as the property’s rolling green hills.
The highlight was an inspiring panel chaired by stylist, fashion consultant and former editor of Harper’s Bazaar Australia Jillian Davison. On stage were four trailblazing women: interior decorator Simone Haag, beauty entrepreneur Emma Lewisham, chef and culinary innovator Sian Redgrave and editor and author Justine Cullen. The panellists spoke not only about their work but about drive in a broader sense – about ambition, resilience and the courage to forge new paths.
For Haag, the invitation to be part of the Woman with Drive: She’s Electric initiative was a natural alignment. “For me, Porsche embodies longevity and timeless design,” she says. “It’s the perfect balance between a heritage and forward-thinking brand. It’s about elegance, luxury and form with purpose.”
Based in Melbourne, Haag is renowned for her ability to mix vintage, contemporary and bespoke pieces to craft spaces that feel “layered, soulful and deeply personal”. Collaborating with globally respected architects and designers, she sees a synergy between the forward-thinking design of Porsche and her own work. “It has confidence – a quality that I seek to create in interiors: relaxed elegance coupled with a sense of fun. Importantly, Porsche also champions women, which is a value I deeply connect with.”
Each of the speakers spoke of how their work and perspectives are shaped by tradition as well as reinvention. For Haag, the power lies in layering both past and present. “Porsche manages to do this seamlessly: respecting its lineage while moving forward with fresh ideas. It’s about making something familiar feel utterly new again.”
Sustainability and designing for the future were also recurring themes on the day. “Much like in interiors, where there is a vital need for our homes to last longer, to endure changing conditions and to remain relevant to us through life, the EV movement is inspiring bolder and more responsible choices,” says Haag. “This freedom can be liberating, giving designers license to imagine futures untethered from the past.”
Over lunch in Dovecote’s glass-walled dining room overlooking the Pacific Ocean, conversations continued about creativity, identity and the importance of women taking the wheel. The presence of four leaders from such distinct industries – beauty, design, publishing and food – underscores Porsche’s commitment to building community and connecting a new generation of women with stories of ambition and innovation. As CEO and managing director Daniel Schmollinger says, “Emma, Simone, Sian and Justine encapsulate what it means to have drive – not just behind the wheel, but in life.”
Ultimately, the electric Porsche experience invited guests to reimagine not only how we drive, but how we live. “Driving a Porsche is similar to how I design,” says Haag. “It’s not just point A to B, but an unfolding and personalised experience that adds joy to our day; this is where the magic lies.”
