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Stressed But Well Dressed hosted by Dahlia Stroud
Stressed But Well Dressed hosted by Dahlia Stroud
Author: Dahlia Stroud
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"Stressed But Well Dressed" delves into the link between stress, confidence, and clothing, helping listeners build a "well-dressed mindset" for success. Dahlia hosts weekly conversations with a diverse range of guests—psychologists, founders, authors, designers, coaches, TV personalities, journalists, a firefighter, a former cult member, marketeers, and even Miss Great Britain—to explore the impact of stress on identity, confidence, and mindset from unique perspectives across a range of topics. Expect thought provoking conversations, practical tips for success and a bit of fashion in the mix!
115 Episodes
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Dahlia is joined by Erin Gallagher to discuss what it means to be a 'hype' woman, to cheer on other women and to reap the rewards for yourself at the same time.Dahlia and Erin discuss the fact that we often find ourselves sit in inertia desperate to change but that it's confidence that enables us to take a leap of faith. The conversation also includes an understanding of why we love the mean girls and an honest assessment of how to create and cultivate true friendships. The episode is about understanding our relationships have on how we feel and how we see ourselves and encourages listeners to be honest about how they build their A team. Erin Gallagher is the CEO and Founder of HYPE WOMEN, an inclusive ecosystem hyping women to remember who the f*ck they are; author of Hype Women: Breaking Free from Mean Girls, Patriarchy and Systems Silencing Y ou; host and co-producer of the Hype Women Podcast; and creator of the global Hype Women Movement and“The Fairway”- a dinner series and membership invested in networthing for women.She began her career at ServicemembersLegal Defense Network (SLDN), a non-profit legal services watchdog dedicated to ending the ban on LGBTQAI+ in the military (which they ultimately achieved). A two-time founder , Erin has spent her 20+ year career creating movements and leading global marketing, branding, communications,strategy and PR for agencies and globalbrands. She has counseled The White House,Fortune 100 C-suite and senior leaders atsome of the world’s biggest and best brandsand companies.
Dahlia is joined by Jessica Fox and Charlotte Polley, co founders of one of the newest beauty apps Beauty Shelf.Dahlia, Jessica and Charlotte discussing the explosion in beauty trends and the growth of influencer marketing in the beauty category.As best friends they share the importance of taking and sharing advice with those you trust not just buying the next best thing or what is trending on Tik Tok. The discussion includes an insight into how they built their business and the app and the confidence it took to put their beauty offer out there. The conversation finishes with an insight into manifesting success, the conscious decision to lean into manifesting, the cautiousness of building a business from scratch and how to find the business partner who is the ying to your yang!Jessica and Charlotte are the two best friends and founders behind BeautyShelf, a newly launched social commerce app changing the way people discover and shop for beauty and wellness products in the UK.Since launching just two months ago, they’ve built a fast-growing, engaged community of thousands of beauty lovers, with new users joining daily. BeautyShelf brings shopping, saving, and sharing routines into one space, where users and creators tag the products they genuinely use and love, driving authentic engagement and direct traffic to brands.
Dahlia joined by speaker, writer and fashion academic Stacey Heale to discuss identity, how our childhood dreams play out in our adult lives and navigating how we see ourselves and show the world who we are when we experience loss.Dahlia and Stacey discuss where Stacey's research starts and the role our physical surroundings can have in shaping who we are. They specifically explore how bedroom decor is linked to identity from childhood and how this involves into adulthood (and parenting).Stacey shares a very personal account of how becoming a carer and navigating grief shaped how she saw herself and how she used clothes as a demonstration of self expression to symbolise how she was feeling to those around her. The episode discusses the subject of cancer and loss.Stacey Heale is a writer, speaker, curator, fashion academic and campaigner who is inspiring radically honest discussions on the lived experience of women, focusing on the realities of difficult times and how to rebuild your life from the ground up. Stacey's role is Teaching fellow at Winchester School of Art. Her academic research centres around the use of creativity to process trauma and the concept of the teenage bedroom as a site for identity construction. Stacey's 2018 TED talk focused on post-traumatic growth and the power of social media during a personal crisis. In November 2016, her husband, Delays lead singer Greg Gilbert, was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer and died in 2021. In that time, she has campaigned for lowering the age of bowel cancer screening in the UK, research into treatments for stage IV cancer patients, access to unfunded drugs on the NHS and the financial rights of widows.
Dahlia is joined by Silvia Garcia, keynote speaker and former Global Director of the Institute of Happiness for Coca Cola to discuss how to find happiness.Silvia shares her research from both her recent work and her role at Coca Cola, to explain the definitions of happiness and why it is a feeling but not a destination.Dahlia and Silvia discuss the benefits of happiness in relation to productivity, and the need for happiness to be supported by trust and relationships.Silvia explains the link between the memories we hold and how we see happiness and recommends a 'hack' we can choose each day to improve our happiness and our mindset.Dahlia and Silvia also discuss the link between happiness and hopefulness and how to adjust your perspective and reframe your view if you are standing in a challenging spot. Silvia Garcia is a sought-after expert for organizations that want to inspire the audience to build a brighter future while they also make people and business thrive.Drawing on her decades-long experience advisingleaders in corporate boardrooms and C-suits, Silvia help leaders bring their employees' talent to its best, innovateand achieve high performance fromtheir teams. As a former seasoned leader for the Coca-Colacompany, Silvia helps organizations navigate and succeed in challenging situations. She shares science-based, tried-and-true strategies for developing the traits of a leader who drives positive change, and whose people are motivatedto work for. A transformational leader,Silvia takes audiences in a real mind-shift beyond strategy and tactics; fostering collaboration, furthering their vision and values, and having a positive impact on their teams and organizations.Described as "a visionary thinker with a rare empathy" Silvia was the former Coca-Cola Global Director for Marketing and Happiness, and her insights and learning do not leave anyone indifferent. She has devoted her professionallife to meet the best experts and scientists, and to share with others research-based ways to help advance avision of the world as a place wherepeople, business and society thrive. A world in which the vast majority of people feel connected to others, a world in which people feel safe taking risksand navigating change, a world where people face the future with confidence that together, we can thrive.Her speeches have been said to change “lives andcompanies”. During her tenure as Global Coca-Cola Director for Marketing and Happiness, Silvia travelled the world to learn from scientists and businesses which are theconditions for higher happiness and success. She has devoted her life to sharing science-based discoveries to help leaders and organizations create abetter future for people, planet and business. Moreover, Silvia knows how to talk so people listen!Logically, she was behind some of the most inspirational Coca-Cola advertisement campaigns. Under her leadership,collaboration thrived, engagement soared, and innovation grew exponentially.Finally, when tough problems need to be solved, Silvia helps bring the best out of people and teams. For that reason she was invited to participate in the 2015 Albright Challenge, by MIT University, and on many other projects that need visionary thinkers capable to stimulateinventive, collaborative solutions. Silvia is known for making audiences realize how they can influence others to do what is best, and how to use emotions to unlock their brain's whole potential, which she described in her first TEDx Talk in 2023.Her innovative views on business and leadershiphave attracted international attention. From the tech industry to the entertainment industry, from finance to fashion, from Fortune 500 to localbusiness, to the army, Silvia has been invited to meet with a broad array of leaders and organizations in nearly every industry. Silvia shares her time between NYC and France.
Clothes, confidence and reshaping the future (with guest Karen Martin):Dahlia is joined by Karen Martin, Editor of the BBC's Global News Podcast and Happy Pod to discuss weight loss injections and reinvention.Karen talks about how the menopause impacted her identity and why she chose to use weight loss injections to regain a version of who she was - but how it became a moment of reinvention.Dahlia and Karen discuss how it feels to go through a dramatic weight loss, why Karen wants to break the taboo of the injections and the initial response to her change in weight. They also discuss the joy of getting dressed and how Karen's style changed as she embraced a new version of herself in her 50s. Curious about mounjaro, food noise and the behind the scenes of weight loss injections - have a listen to one perspective on using the medication. Karen Martin is the Editor of the BBC’s most listened to international news podcast – the Global News Podcast.She also edits the weekly Happy Pod and The Newsroom Programme on the BBC World Service.A former reporter for newspapers, radio and TV, Karen now runs a 24/7 team of journalists covering stories from around the globe.She’s also the mother of two teenaged daughters, a huge supporter of younger women in their careers and an avid cold water swimmer.Karen isn’t afraid to stand out in a male dominated workplace, running editorial meetings dressed from head to foot in pink, leopard print or both.She’s always across the latest news – and the hottest fashion trends.
Dahlia is joined by Dr Kerstin Brehm to discuss everything from diagnosis to dressing to making tough decisions.Kerstin shares her journey from cardiac surgeon to leadership coach and why she is continuously challenge herself to learn in new ways.Dahlia and Kerstin discuss how easy or difficult it is to diagnose what does and doesn't feel right in your career, why we don't always need to seek passion in our work and why we need to stop living for the weekend and enjoy our everyday. Kerstin gives advice on the balance between inner confidence in your own ability and also knowing when to have confidence in the views of those around you. Dr. Kerstin Brehm is a former heart surgeon turned corporate leader and founder of The Leadership Clinic™. Today she’s an outspoken advocate for ambitious women 40+, helping them reinvent success on their own terms. A strategist, podcaster, and fashion lover, Kerstin brings bold ideas, sharp insights, and a touch of style to everything she does.
Dahlia is joined by journalist Marianne Jones to discuss the importance of identity and how to retain a sense of self as life circumstance's change.Marianne reflects on the moments of change across her career and how stress meant that she had to prioritise her health and take a change in direction - and what that meant for her identity.Marianne is honest about the challenges that life can bring but offers advice on the link between confidence, resilience and finding joy in the everyday. Dahlia and Marianne also discuss the work that Marianne does for Dementia UK and Marianne shares how vital clothing was to helping her Mum retain a sense of self as she lived with dementia. Marianne Jones is a multi award-winning journalist, editor and broadcaster. Currently joint features director of YOU magazine, she has edited the Sunday Telegraph’s Stella Magazine, the Saturday Telegraph Magazine, andGrazia. She has co-hosted a number 1 podcast, Been There Done That Got the Podcast, and is an ambassador for the charity Dementia UK.
Dahlia is joined by Zena Everett Speaker, Leadership Coach and Author of 'The Crazy Busy Cure' and 'Badly Behaved People'.Zena and Dahlia discuss the link between clothes and culture with Zena sharing her reflections from her time in recruitment and her research for her writing. The discussion explores questions such as whether organisations should provide a clothing allowance for junior new starters, whether imposter syndrome is really a thing and whether you can be stressed and well dressed all at oncce.The conversation centres around the fact that clothes can be used strategically to either build your confidence or to create an image where you are over or underestimated (listen carefully to Zena's favourite fashion moment) and Dahlia and Zena discuss the role clothes can play in shaping a corporate culture. There is a very clear shared view of the fact that there is no room for 'bad behaviour' in the workplace and that everyone deserves respect whatever they choose to wear. Listen to reflect on how workplace culture has influenced your clothing choices and how you have used clothes to build your confidence and improve your mindset.
Dahlia is joined by Sam Parker, Site Director of British GQ and author of 'Good Anger' a book about how to 'rethink rage.'Dahlia and Sam discuss what anger can do for our stress levels and the difference between keeping 'anger in' and 'anger out' - how you choose to express your emotion.Sam talks about the inspiration behind his book and how his own mental health journey inspired him to look deeper into the different emotions we feel and understand the 'why'. Sam also unpicks stereotypes about who society deems as 'allowed to be angry' and why this matters.Clothes, confidence and a little bit of rage all in one!Sam Parker is author of Good Anger: How Rethinking Rage Can Change Our Lives. He has been an editor and writer for 15 years for publications such as the Guardian, Times and Telegraph. He works as a senior editor at British GQ. He runs the weekly newsletter Good Anger on Substack.
Dahlia is joined by Monica Hanouka, Nutritional Therapist to discuss the link between Clothes, Confidence and Cortisol.Monica unpacks what 'cortisol' is, how we regulate our nervous system and how this influences our stress. She explains how what we eat can directly influences our stress levels and our confidence. Her focus isn't food but the whole wellness journey and how we create more awareness around our choices and how they make us feel.In a world where there is so much 'noise' around food Monica gives us the science to better understand how to create a sensible approach to nutrition. Monica has long been fascinated by health and genetics, leading her to study Biology at University College London. She went on to train as a broadcast journalist with a specialism in health and spent a fast-paced decade in television news.After the birth of her third child, Monica took a step back from her career to focus on raising her family. During this time, she faced two major surgeries within six months, which triggered a significant decline in her gut health, energy, and overall wellbeing. Slowly, she began to restore her health through food and lifestyle changes.This personal journey sparked a deep passion for nutrition and inspired Monica to undertake a four-year professional diploma at the renowned Institute for Optimum Nutrition. Since then, she’s been dedicated to helping others transform their health from the inside out.Monica takes a highly personalised, root-cause approach to every client, focusing on sustainable change rather than quick fixes. She supports people with a range of issues, including hormonal imbalances, IBS, weight concerns, food intolerances, poor sleep, and low energy.
Dahlia is joined by Alexandra Shulman, journalist, author and former Editor in Chief of Vogue magazine.The conversation centres around reflections from Alexandra's book 'Clothes and other things that matter', which was written as a way to capture her time at Vogue, sharing stories and experiences through the outfits she owns. Alexandra describes the role clothes have played for her over time and some of the outfits that she has owned that are the most meaningful to her. Dahlia and Alexandra also discuss the wider topic of identity with Alexandra giving her view on how she felt leaving Vogue, how she knew she was ready to step into something new and how she sees her writing now.Alexandra also shares her tips on building confidence, how she approached leadership at Vogue and what getting dressed everyday means to her. Alexandra Shulman was brought up in London. She attended St. Paul’s Girls’ School and gained a BA in Social Anthropology from Sussex University.She started her career working in the music industry and then moved into magazines as a secretary on Over21 magazine. She began working as a journalist on Tatler magazine in 1980, leaving in 1986 to become Women’s Editor on The Sunday Telegraph. She returned to magazines as Features Editor of Vogue in 1988, becoming the first female editor of a monthly men’s magazine when GQ launched in the UK in 1990. In 1992 she became Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue where she stayed for 25 years leaving in June 2017.During that time she launched an annual Vogue Festival, oversaw the launch of Vogue’s digital programme including Vogue.co.uk and Vogue Video and took the sales of the magazine both domestically and internationally to a record high.In 2007 she was awarded an OBE for services to fashion journalism and in 2018 a CBE for services to magazinesShe has also written two novels, Can We Still Be Friends, and The Parrots both published by Fig Tree/Penguin, and a memoir of the Centenary year preparations for British Vogue, Inside Vogue: A diary of my 100th year. Her book Clothes….and other things that matter was published in Spring 2020 by Octopus books and was a Sunday Times Bestseller. She also wrote the introduction to Elizabeth11 –Queen, Princess, Icon – published in 2022.She is a contracted writer for the Mail on Sunday and Daily Mail and contributes other papers and magazines. She is known as a commentator on female leadership, fashion, and contemporary styleShe was a Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery for eight years, and a Trustee of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity for eight years. She is currently a Vice President of The London Library and Trustee of The Wallace CollectionShe is now working as a journalist, consultant, speaker and author. Alexandra has a son, Samuel and lives with her partner David Jenkins in London
Dahlia is joined by Alicia Drabble Castellano to discuss the a business journey born out of PTSD recovery. As the founder of 'Single Swan' a wellness-focused clothing brand, Alicia explains how her personal struggle with mental and physical health became the inspiration that fuelled her creative journey. Dahlia and Alicia discuss what it takes to start a brand from scratch when you don't have former business/industry knowledge or VC funding to support you, and how Alicia decided 'not knowing' would be her super power to help her discover her way. The conversation looks at what it takes to be a founder in terms of mental mindset and resilience - whilst Alicia champions kindness she recognises that she has had to grow a thick skin to persevere at times. Alicia's advice includes understanding how to 'find your tribe' and know where to seek out light in the most vulnerable moments and to have the wisdom to know what you can change and adjust to what you can't.Prepare to be inspired...Single Swan is a wellness-focused clothing brand founded byAlicia, a former teacher who had to step away from education due to health challenges. After a period of uncertainty, she found a new purpose—creating a brand rooted in kindness: kindness to ourselves, to others, and to the planet. With no formal training in design but a deep passion for style and a fascination with how clothing impacts well-being, Alicia channelled her vision into something truly innovative. Her hero piece, the 7SWAN, is a revolutionary wellness jumpsuit redefining activewear. Designed forversatility, longevity, and effortless elegance, it offers a premium alternative to traditional Lycra-based options. A proud member of the Buy Women Built community, supporting and championing female-founded businesses, Alicia has built Single Swan into a platform for empowerment. Her clothing is gaining recognition including a sell-out event at Fearne Cotton's Happy Place Festival, where her designs connected deeply with audiences looking for wellness and mindful living. Proudly made in London, the 7SWAN empowers women to move freely,embracing both sustainability and style.
Dahlia is joined by Rosie Nixon to discuss what it means to choose a moment of reinvention. Rosie shares her story from Editor in Chief of Hello Magazine to an author, broadcaster and coach, detailing the defining moments that have shaped where she is in her career (and her life) now.Dahlia and Rosie discuss the fact that change is inevitable but sometimes we need to make a choice to take control of that change, aware that actually there is greater fear of sitting in the same space for a prolonged period of time rather than choosing to grow and evolve. Rosie gives an honest account of what made her choose to make a change in her life, the impact of burnout and the work she did to reset, reinvent and how she is paying that forwards.The conversation also includes an in depth exploration of how Rosie has used clothes for confidence and self expression, what it means to take time out for a retreat and why it is vital to spread your 'status' in life. Rosie Nixon is an author, broadcaster and coach. She is the author of three novels, TheStylist, Amber Green Takes Manhattan, Just Between Friends, plus the Be Kind book, which was recently republished in paperback (all Harper Collins). Her new novel Bad Influence will be published on 14 August. Bad Influence tackles issues around image in the online world and how vulnerability could be a super power, as Rosie’s protagonist, stylist Amber Green works with one of her trickiest celebrity clients yet. After a long career in women’s magazines, latterly as the award-winning Editor and Editor in Chief of HELLO! magazine, where she worked for 16 years, Rosie super-charged her career for the next chapter and is a qualified life coach, speaker and experienced podcast host. In 2024 she launched Rosie’s Reinvention Retreats - a series of day retreats for midlife women, to support navigating changes in career, business and wellbeing. Rosie enjoys working with brands including Marks & Spencer and Microsoft UK, as part of her portfolio career. Most recently, Rosie has taken on the role of Editor of The Column, Corinthia London's new bi-annual luxury magazine focused on lifestyle, cuisine, style and travel. Rosie previously held senior positions at women's glossies including Grazia, Glamour and Red. She is a proud ambassador for the women’s health charity Wellbeing ofWomen, Wellchild and anti-FGM charity, Educate Not Mutilate.Rosie is a keen believer in the power of kindness and a master of reinvention. Havingcome close to burnout in 2022, she is on a path of personal growth and loves peaking on this subject. Ultimately, she thrives in communities with a common goal to inspire and spread joy. Rosie lives with her family in Surrey, is passionate about keeping her mind and body fit and healthy and in any spare time can be found getting out into nature or running around after her two lively sons. Rosie's next Reinvention Retreat is happening in Manchester on Monday 13th October - see the link in herbio @rosiejnixon for ticketsMore info can be found here: www.RosieNixon.co.uk
Dahlia is joined by Sophie Neary, MD of Retail at Google, to discuss why confidence is contagious. Sophie shares how she has built her career since the first days of a role on 'The Internet' and the role models that have influenced her to believe in herself and helped her build her confidence.She shares the role she has in building the confidence of those around her in her position as a leader but she's also shares the link between confidence and resilience at times when things haven't quite gone to plan.Listeners obviously get insight into what 'well dressed' means to Sophie - a story of a pink suit that everyone needs to hear.Finally Sophie shares her top tips on how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, learning the way on the way and accepting failure and mistakes as part of the journey - but not letting them define who you are. Sophie is a highly respected executive within the retail andtechnology industries. As Managing Director, Retail and FMCG at Google, she brings over 30 years of executive leadership experience from giants including Asda, Tesco and Meta. A digital pioneer since 1995, Sophie was instrumental in driving Boots' online transformation where, as a member of the Executive Committee, she led their critical digital response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Beyond her commercial acumen, she's a multi-award winning, lifelong feminist, and a clear voice advocating and championing women in the workplace. Her highly regarded podcast "Courage is Contagious," and status as a LinkedIn "Top Voice" on Gender Equity cement her reputation.
Dahlia is joined by Louise Sleightholm, accountant, creator and owner of sustainable fashion brand Mode Workwear.Lou shares the frustrations she had when she tried to find workwear that made her feel good upon qualifying as an accountant. Identifying a gap in the market she launched a social media platform sharing ideas on how to build a capsule workwear wardrobe (check out her instagram page @louscorporatelife) which has grown to a 300k strong community with which she shares ideas on what to wear for work in a corporate role each week. Dahlia and Lou discuss how important it is to feel comfortable with who you are at work as a part of being able to do your best work and how to set yourself up for success from day one.Lou shares the purpose behind her workwear brand Mode (which Dahlia and Lou are wearing in the show) and why she wants to raise the stakes on sustainable workwear creating a one stop shop to build a capsule corporate wardobe.Lou reflects on how the confidence to wear what she wants at work has grown in line with an inner confidence in her ability to do a great job. She shares how she is paying her work forwards with a shoutout to Smart Works Leeds (part of Smart Works Charity which has previously been part of a collaboration with Stressed But Well Dressed Podcast).If you are starting out in your career, starting a new job or just looking to up the stakes on what you wear to work each day this conversation is perfect for inspiration.Louise Sleightholm is a Chartered Accountant working at the Big 4. In her spare time, she creates workwear clothing content under @louscorporatelife to an audience of over 300,000. She also helps style women and launched her very own workwear brand, Mode. Lou co-founded Leeds Young Professionals one of Yorkshire's fastest growing networking groups with over 3500 members.Lou is a proud mum to a very cute 1 year old! Check out Louise's weekly content here:Instagram: @louscorporatelife@modeworkwearTikTok:Louscorporatelife
Dahlia is joined by Jo Elvin, journalist, broadcast and multi award winning editor to get her view on the link between clothes and confidence. Jo reflects on the moments where she has used clothes for confidence across her career as a magazine editor. She talks about the moments she has explored body confidence, moving into new parts of the media industry and found confidence in her current role (now also in front of the camera). Dahlia and Jo talk about the role of an editor and how the changing media landscape has changed the way we consume information - and whether or not that is a good thing.The conversation also includes a look in to Palace Confidential, discussing 'Royal' fashion and a nomination for the best dressed Royal!Jo Elvin is a multi-award winning editor and broadcaster who has launched and helmed some of Britain’s most successful women’s magazines. She is most well known as the editor in chief of Glamour, a title she launched in 2001 that rapidly became the biggest-selling women’s magazine in the UK and Europe. Under her direction, Glamour quickly became the biggest selling magazine in Europe. During her time there, she also launched the internationally renowned Glamour Women of the Year Awards. She was the editor of the Mail on Sunday’s YOU magazine from 2018-2022, the most widely-read women’s magazine in Britain with close to 2 million readers every week. In 2022, Jo was appointed CEO of Children With Cancer UK, one of the biggest funders of research into childhood cancers in this country. She dedicated two years to increasing the charity’s profile, including helping to produce the acclaimed documentary , Kids Like Us, available on Sky. She is a five-time winner of an Editor of the Year award from the British Society of Magazine Editors. Born in Sydney, Australia, Jo even worked as a publicist in her early career for the iconic Aussie soap, Neighbours. She is a well-known broadcaster and podcaster, presenting on Lorraine and hosting the popular royal talk show, Palace Confidential. She has written extensively for most national newspapers including The Telegraph, The Times and The Daily Mail.
Dahlia is joined by stylist Claire Ginzler to discuss the power of clothes—not as a magic fix, but as a practical, confidence-building tool for real women. Together, they unpack the emotional layers behind how we dress, the vulnerability of not liking your reflection, and the importance of dressing for who you are today—not who you hope to be someday.This honest and energising conversation touches on how to quiet the inner critic, how clothes can support rather than disguise, and why your body—exactly as it is—is worthy of care, kindness, and a wardrobe that works for it. They also cover the foundations of confidence, quite literally, including a detailed, supportive guide to properly fitting a bra and why it's one of the most empowering places to start.Claire shares her philosophy of styling women beyond trends: updating, editing, and recycling your wardrobe to reflect who you are now. Whether you’ve been waiting for “future you” to arrive or simply don’t know where to begin with your closet, this episode is the reminder you didn’t know you needed.In this episode: – Dressing for now, not “when I’ve lost weight” – Why “covering up” isn’t the same as feeling confident – Your bra as the foundation of style and support – Raw conversations about body image and acceptance – Wardrobe editing without overwhelm or pressure – Styling as self-kindness—not self-punishmentThis is a conversation about coming home to your body, dressing it with care, and letting clothes remind you who you are—not who you're waiting to become.Trigger warning: This episode discusses Breast CancerClaire is a London-based fashion stylist with over 28 years of experience in editorial, catwalk shows, TV, and advertising campaigns. She has worked with major designer and high street brands such as Calvin Klein, Stuart Weitzman, L'Oréal, Marks&Spencer, John Lewis, and styled shows for London Fashion Week, BBC1, and Channel 4.Claire served as Fashion Director at On|Off for eight years, where she was known for scouting and mentoring emerging talent, helping launch the careers of designers like JW Anderson, Peter Pilotto, Osman, and Mark Fast. Her work has been featured in The Guardian, Elle, The Telegraph, and Vision China, among others.Claire regularly collaborates with leading directors, event producers, and media agencies, keeping her connected to the evolving landscape of contemporary fashion.Most recently, she has started up a platform and podcast called Tips For Your Tits, a podcast and platform on Instagram t to educate women all about their boobs, @tipsforyourtits. She is an inspiring mentor who helps bridge the gap between education and the professional world
Dahlia is joined by Lee Chambers, Founder and CEO of Male Allies UK to discuss the impact that what we wear can have on how we see ourselves, and how others choose to see us.Dahlia and Lee discuss the fact that clothing is a core part of our identity and we need to give ourselves permission to explore who we are and what we want to wear. Lee shares how his experience have shaped his work and how he has built the confidence and understanding of how he wants to dress. He also talks about the fact that clothing related gender stereotypes are deep rooted, but that we have a choice to challenge our intrinsic need to conform.Lee his view of the fact that choosing to stand out should be celebrated whilst so often we 'punish' those who choose to go against the grain. He challenges the listeners to question 'What would you wear and how would you explore your identity if you didn't succumb to the fear of judgement.'His guidance is to dress for your own standards and take pride in celebrating your own identity.Lee Chambers is the Founder and CEO of Male Allies UK. After a diverse career, from corporate finance tobuilding and exiting a tech company, he is now focused on supporting organisations to engage men in inclusion and promote effective allyship. He has been featured on the Startups 100 Index, has received a Great British Entrepreneur Award, and sits on the board of CMI Women, Regenerage UK and the Manchester Metropolitan University Business School. In 2024, he received the Freedom of the City of London for services to equality in business. He is a Kavli Fellow of the National Academy of Sciencesin the USA, the first Black British scientist to be awarded in its 33-year history, received for his work on health inequalities. He is the 2023 UN WomenChangemaker of the Year, and is an ambassador for the UK Government’s Lilac Review for Disabled Entrepreneurship. He speaks globally on allyship and intersectionality, having taken the stage at One Young World, ChangeNOW and theBloomberg Global Equality Summit, and is the author of the bestselling book, Momentum: 13 Ways To Unlock Your Potential.
Dahlia is joined by Kate Reardon, Editor in Chief of the The Times LUXX Magazine to discuss clothes, confidence and what it really means to live a life of luxury.Dahlia and Kate discuss the true meaning of luxury and why it is often something that money cannot buy. Included in the conversation is Kate's own journey to feeling confident - and her view of why having confidence is a luxury in itself. The discussion includes the link between luxury, gratitude and contentment and why a life of luxury is often about making choices that create pleasure not pain.Kate shares her top tips on seeking out luxury - in the places where you may not expect to find them!Kate Reardon's unparalleled insight into the lives and desires of her readers makes her one of the most exciting and effective champions of luxury publishing in the world. At 21 Kate was made the Fashion Director of Tatler – the youngest ever at Condé Nast. Kate remained at Tatler for seven years and left to become a founding advisory board member of Net-a-Porter.com, to write three separate columns for The Times, who named her one of Britain’s best writers, and spent a decade as a Contributing Editor at Vanity Fair. She went on to serve as editor in chief of Tatler for seven years. Kate has been editor in chief of The Times LUXX magazine since 2018 which has seen a period of record-breaking commercial growth. In November 2022 she oversaw the launch of the new digital channel Times Luxury, of which she is editor in chief.
Dahlia is joined by Charlotte Baraks, Co Founder of Delete Ventures and Head Advisor at Revenge Capital. Charlotte is an expert in brand strategy, in creative partnerships and the space where fashion and beauty meet as the former Head of Brand for MAC UK.Dahlia and Charlotte discuss how to build your confidence through clothes when your style challenges traditional narratives. Charlotte draws on her experience which started at Dazed and Confused magazine, saw her move to L'Oreal and then to MAC cosmetics before moving into a rolein brand strategy and now as an advisor for VC funding.The conversation touches on the role make up plays in building your confidence, how brands can speak to consumers and how to get really honest about what it means to launch a new brand or a new business. Charlotte shares everything from why Elizabeth Arden handed out red lipstick to suffragettes to why founders need to get real about why their business needs funding.Charlotte Baraks is a pioneering and seasoned leader with experience across beauty, fashion, F&B, entertainment and luxury sectors. Charlotte excels at launching and transitioning brands through hyper-growth and change. Commercially minded yet creatively led by the consumer landscape. Charlotte is currently running a brand incubation company, consulting for Private Equity / Funds, Founders, and CEOs to provide commercial diagnostic analysis on ways to improve and grow brands. With over eighteen year’s experience, Baraks has worked in-house at Dazed Media, Together Group, L'Oreal and MAC Cosmeticsy. She has crafted and refined go-to-market strategies for brands such as Bleach London and Illamasqua, as well as directing and delivering creative & brand direction for various global, sector-agnostic brands such as Perfecto Records (Record Label), Drip (R2D Water), Highr (Lipstick brand), The Streets (Band), Bubble (Skincare) to name a few. Baraks' vision has pulled off globally renowned consumer and industry product collaborations, as well as being pivotal in setting a blueprint for a new investment thesis in private equity. Whilst at MAC Cosmetics, Baraks directed product collaborations such as Philip Treacy, Carine Roitfeld, Miles Aldridge, Harris Reed, Richard Quinn and powered a number of projects that challenged the conventional perceptions of beauty, rejecting the standards and ideals that former generations have subsumed. Highlight includes, being responsible for MAC's first TV advertisement in partnership with film director Steve McQueen, instore design in partnership with artist William Farr, and VIVA Glam collaborations such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande. Baraks' currently holds the position of Co-Founder and Head of Brand/Creative of Delete Ventures, as well being the Head Advisor of Revenge Capital, an evergreen, global impact fund that invests capital into overlooked founders: women, BAME, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled individuals, neurodiverse, anti-ageist, untraditionally educated, socio-economically disadvantaged. In both roles, here she oversees the construction of visual and verbal brand universes, working closely with Founders and C-Suite to bring new brands and capital investments to life.
























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