Varga Girl Design takes its name from the iconic “Varga Girls” created by artist Alberto Vargas, whose illustrations became famous in Esquire in the 1940s. His work became part of wartime popular culture, and the images were widely recognized during an era when women were also stepping into factories, munitions plants, and other essential roles that helped keep the economy and war effort moving. During World War II, millions of women took on wartime jobs in manufacturing and defence work, reshaping what female strength looked like in public life.
What has always interested me about that era is the tension — and the power — in those two ideas existing at once. Women were being seen as glamorous, yes, but they were also proving themselves capable, resilient, and indispensable. They were not one-dimensional. They were stylish and strong. Feminine and formidable. Pretty. Powerful.
That’s the spirit behind Varga Girl Design.
For me, Pretty. Powerful. is not just a tagline. It’s the standard. It reflects the kind of work I believe in: design that is beautiful, but never superficial; polished, but never passive; strategic, confident, and built to do something. It is also a celebration of women — especially women who lead, build, create, and own businesses of their own.
Varga Girl Design proudly champions women and women-owned businesses. I love creating brands for smart, ambitious people who want to show up with clarity, confidence, and a little firepower. Because good design should not just sit there looking attractive. It should communicate. Compel. Open doors. Pull its weight.
So yes, the name nods to vintage glamour. But the mission is thoroughly modern: to create branding, websites, and design that help businesses — especially women-led ones — look exceptional, feel confident, and take up the space they deserve.
That, to me, is what Pretty. Powerful. means.
This site features a selection of recent work. Have a look around, and if you’re building something bold, beautiful, and built to last, let’s talk.
