Guests from the US, Asia, The Balkans, and Europe gathered for the second edition of the luxury hair brand’s empowerment conference in Paris.

Emily Ratajkowski, Rupi Kaur, Ebonee Davis, and Gaëlle Drevet were a part of Kérastase’s second annual Power Talks in Paris on Tuesday. It was an event to highlight the fact that women around the world lack confidence, and through active mentorship they can gain it back.

Kérastase created the event as a way to support female voices and to reduce the confidence gap between men and women. Partnering with local NGOs like Step Up, women can get one-on-one mentorship, as more than 1 in 2 women confess they have been held back because of limiting beliefs- according to an August 2022 survey that Kérastase did on more than 2,500 women between the US, China, Brazil, the UK and France. Quite simply, young women underestimate their abilities and performance compared to men.

As guests arrived they were taken by Sara Shakeel’s installation She’s Light Years Ahead, of mannequins bedazzled in tiny crystals from head to toe. Each mannequin was connected to the other by over three-thousand feet of crystal beading, signifying a universal understanding based on women’s shared experiences. Also set up was a showcase of the new Kérastase Première line that will launch in February 2024. The line consists of a shampoo, conditioner, and serum that recreates 99% of the hair’s original strength by removing calcium build up that’s found in water, fortifying hair fibers with an 8% citric acid and glycine formula. And, the K-scan booth, an AI powered diagnostic tool that uses 3 illumination modes to enable hairstyles gave guests a diagnosis of their scalp health.

Opening the Talks was Kérastase Global Brand President Rosa Carriço. Speaking on the confidence gap, Carriço stated in event notes that “as a leading hair care brand dedicated to expanding a woman’s potential, we want to help build women’s power to dare once again.”

Ebonee Davis, a brand ambassador read two excerpts from her new book, “Daughter: The Soul Journey of a Black Woman in America Having a Human Experience.” She reminded the audience that it’s because of the sacrifices of everyone’s ancestors that they are where they are today. Moderating the event was Stafanie Sword-Williams, the author of “F**ck Being Humble.” She reminded the audience of the importance and power of influence, that it was the women around her, who inspired her to launch her own career.

Rupi Kaur, just got off of doing her spoken word poetry world tour. After reading a few of her poems for her book, “Home Body,” she took to the stage in a discussion with Sword-Williams about accomplishments. “If stand-up comedians can have specials then why can’t poets?,” she said. Kaur was on Amazon Prime’s Poetry Special, a tough feat as Netflix and Amazon kept turning down the pitch for a poetry show. After self-releasing the special, it was then that Amazon Prime picked up the special.

Journalist turned fashion brand owner Gaëlle Drevet spoke on just going after your dreams. Crediting her success to her mom and mentor Diane Sawyer, Drevet shared the worst that can happen to a project not working out is that it fails, an all the more reason to start something. And former actress, model, and podcaster Emily Ratajkowski and Amelia Dimoldenberg spoke on how to gain confidence, moving past failures, and the importance of women supporting women. “I feel the most confident when I’m shifting gears and doing things like being a mom, podcaster, and having fun with my friends. I came into all these roles in the last year. Control is important to me and in all those spaces, I am the master of them and that feels incredible,” said Ratajkowski.

Power Talks was launched this year in a 3-pillar program that helps young women build greater confidence, build self-promotion skills, leverage meaningful networks, and uplift other women around them. Working with Step Up, a US-based NGO they have set up programs in fifteen countries. In this initiative, Kérastase provides self-promotion, increasing self-esteem and combatting imposter syndrome at every stage of the program. In over sixty countries Kérastase has created bespoke salon hair and scalps treatments. Over 150,000 hairdressers in over sixty countries use Kérastase products.

The evening commenced with a party at Paris’ Bonnie Club. Known for their restaurant on the lower level, it provides striking views of the city. Celebrating Kérastase achievements and elevating women’s voices, guests danced to a performance by Vendredi sur Mer and DJ sets by Tiffany Calver.