This year, the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance will host the photography exhibition “Women and Motors? Just Joy,” a high-impact cultural project conceived at the Fratelli Cozzi Museum in Italy. Now in its fourth year, the exhibition is supported by the European Commission and is part of UN Women’s HeForShe program, underscoring its strong international and institutional relevance. Through refined and powerful images, the project highlights women’s talent, leadership, and ability to engage and excel in any field, reaffirming the value of representation based on authenticity rather than stereotypes.
Since its inception, the exhibition has sought to dismantle the entrenched and reductive imagery traditionally associated with the concept of “Women and Cars,” which often portrays women as decorative figures alongside luxury vehicles. Instead, it presents elegant, respectful, and emotionally engaging portraits of real women, selected for their professional, social, sporting, and cultural achievements. In these narratives, the automobile is not a status symbol defined by others, but a work tool, a passion, or a means of mobility, an element of personal freedom and self-determination.
The fourth edition introduces a further level of awareness, emphasizing that gender equality is a shared responsibility. In Camilla Albertini’s photographs, the female protagonists appear alongside men selected for their concrete commitment to bridging the gender gap, embodying the principles of the HeForShe movement. These portraits of alliance emphasize the idea that men are not observers, but active allies and drivers of change, reinforcing the message that progress towards equality can only be achieved through collaboration.
Beyond its artistic dimension, the exhibition aims to raise awareness of the urgent need to combat violence and promote true equality rooted in cultural change. By encouraging dialogue between women and men, the project transforms photography into a powerful tool for reflection, education, and social impact, capable of reaching diverse audiences and sparking meaningful conversations.
The project’s strength is further strengthened by the support of internationally renowned figures, including James Nicholls, founder of the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance. Selected by Alessandra Giorgetti, President of the Jury for the 2026 edition for the third time, as her HeForShe ally, his involvement confirms the value of a narrative that unites excellence, respect, and inclusion on a global stage.
Presented in the prestigious setting of the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance, the exhibition offers the public an experience that goes beyond aesthetics. It invites visitors to reflect on progress, shared responsibility, and gender equality as a collective resource and opportunity for all, seamlessly integrating cultural promotion into an iconic automotive event.
Founded by Elisabetta Cozzi to celebrate her father Pietro Cozzi’s passion for the Alfa Romeo brand, the Fratelli Cozzi Museum is one of the most important custodians of Italy’s automotive heritage. With over 60 iconic vehicles collected since 1950, along with a rich archive of posters, photographs, documents, and vintage memorabilia, the museum recounts over six decades of Italian automotive history, design, and culture, providing a solid foundation for a project that combines tradition and contemporary social values.
The initiative is supported by key institutional partners and esteemed allies, including ACI Storico, ASI, FIVA, and LIUC University, with strategic and organizational support from AIDA, the Italian Association of Women in the Automotive Industry. Sponsors such as Pirelli, LKQ Rhiag, MAWDY Services, Autopromotec, and EuroMilano, together with media partners Quattroruote and Ruoteclassiche, further strengthen the project’s reach and credibility, ensuring that its message of equality, respect, and shared responsibility continues to resonate internationally.
