The Secrets of Stylish Women

S2 Ep 07: Captain Gabrielle Harding: Claiming Space in the Sky and in Style

Captain Gabrielle Harding is a Boeing 737 Captain and Line Check Pilot for United Airlines—the first Black woman to hold that title on United’s Boeing fleet. A Hampton University graduate and the only Black woman flying commercially from an HBCU pilot program, she’s a true trailblazer in aviation. Captain Gabrielle Harding isn’t just breaking barriers in aviation—she’s rewriting the narrative around what leadership, presence, and femininity can look like at high altitudes. In this episode, we talk about her journey as a Black woman in a male-dominated field, the power of staying visible, and how style plays a role in commanding space. From walking with lions to soaring through the skies, Gabrielle shares what it means to lead with intention, dress with impact, and fully embrace who you are—no matter the altitude.

S2 Ep 06: Style, Faith, and Finding Your Voice: A Conversation w/Rahimah Yoba

In this episode of The Secrets of Stylish Women, Rahimah Yoba—costume designer, poet, and creative with more than 30 years of experience—sits down with personal stylist and host Lauren Simmonds for a candid conversation about creativity, identity, and the power of clothing.Known for her work on New York Undercover, Empire, Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G., and Notorious, Rahimah opens up about what it’s like to bring characters to life while navigating the limitations of an industry that doesn’t always make space for a designer’s full vision.She also reflects on how her cultural and spiritual upbringing continues to shape her personal style, and why fashion has always been more than surface-level.#TheSecretsOfStylishWomen [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thesecretsofstylishwomen] #RahimahYoba [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/rahimahyoba] #LaurenSimmonds [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/laurensimmonds] #CostumeDesign [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/costumedesign] #WomenInFilm [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/womeninfilm] #CreativeFreedom [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/creativefreedom] #FearlessFashionista [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/fearlessfashionista]About The Secrets of Stylish Women PodcastHosted by personal stylist and author Lauren Simmonds, The Secrets of Stylish Women is a podcast about the intersection of style, identity, and impact. Through solo episodes and guest interviews, Lauren shares real-world advice and powerful stories that help women show up with confidence and authenticity—on their own terms.

S2 Ep 05: What not to wear when you want to be taken seriously

In this candid solo episode of The Secrets of Stylish Women, personal stylist and style strategist Lauren M. Simmonds shares three real-world stories of high-achieving women unintentionally undermining their credibility through style missteps. From visible red thongs under light pants to frumpy, shapeless clothing on powerful leaders, Lauren breaks down how style—when overlooked—can send the wrong message.Lauren explores how personal presentation impacts authority, perception, and confidence, especially for professional women 40+. If you're showing up to the boardroom, the stage, or even a casual lunch, your outfit should be working for you, not against you.If you’ve ever wondered whether your wardrobe is helping or hurting your presence, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Style is more than just clothing—it’s a strategic tool that can elevate your confidence, align with your goals, and reflect the powerful woman you already are.✨ Ready to take the guesswork out of getting dressed?Visit TheFearlessFashionista.com to schedule your Style Discovery Call with Lauren today. In just 20 minutes, you’ll gain personalized insight into how your current wardrobe is serving you—and where it might be holding you back.Whether you’re stepping onto a stage, leading a team, or simply craving more alignment between your image and your impact, this call is the first step toward unlocking a style that truly reflects your brilliance.🖤 You deserve to show up as the most powerful version of yourself—stylishly and unapologetically. Let’s make that happen.

S2 Ep 04: When was the last time you dressed up just for you?

In this episode of The Secrets of Stylish Women, personal stylist and style strategist Lauren Simmonds takes you inside her unforgettable day at the Earn Your Leisure [https://earnyourleisure.com/] Power Network [https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/Press/Press-Releases/2025/01/23/Power-Network-Returns-to-Carnegie-Hall-on-February-27] event at Carnegie Hall. A celebration of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and Black excellence, this event was the perfect excuse for Lauren to do something just for herself—dress up, step out, and soak in the energy of the moment. Lauren went full-on fabulous in an all-Black-owned ensemble, featuring a dramatic skirt from Sofistafunk the Skirt Company [https://sofistafunk.com/collections/the-gathering], a Mongolian fur shrug from Leslie "Lady Diamonds" Jacobs [https://keap.page/azo144/lume-luxe-the-grand-experience-continues.html?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZL6NwPWOo03KCLSeAgLSyhjrI9XHIfRZM4Wi6ieS3JUy5YmyUjNGdkNwU_aem_CgzLYic4JnbQU-k26v2YTw], and a statement bag from Love Cortnie [https://lovecortnie.com/]. But this episode isn’t just about an amazing outfit. Lauren breaks down the concept of Black tie, why it means different things to different people, and why it’s time to bring back fanciness. Because showing up for yourself in style? That’s a power move. 🔹 Feeling stuck in a style rut? Let’s change that. Book a style discovery session [https://thefearlessfashionista.com/styling-services#book-a-call]with Lauren and start defining a wardrobe that works for you. 🔹 Want more style inspiration? Sign up [https://thefearlessfashionista.com/join-the-list] for Lauren’s newsletter for exclusive tips, insider fashion insights, and updates straight to your inbox. 🎧 Tune in now! #EarnYourLeisure [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/earnyourleisure] #BlackExcellence [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/blackexcellence] #FindYourFabulous [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/findyourfabulous] #Sofistafunk [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sofistafunk] #LoveCortnie [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lovecortnie] #LeslieLadyDiamonds [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/leslieladydiamonds] #BlackOwnedFashion [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/blackownedfashion] #personalstylist [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/personalstylist] #thefearlessfashionista [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thefearlessfashionista] Lauren is also an Editorial Expert for Crunchy Tales magazine. Check out her articles here [https://www.crunchytales.com/author/laurensimmonds/].

S2 Ep 03: Style Short: Forget the Coat Check—Make an Entrance

Ever had a look so good you couldn’t risk coat check? That was me. I had the dress, the fur, and a vision. So I skipped the coat check, took the stairs, and made my entrance my way. Did anyone notice? Maybe not. But I did. And that’s the power of clothing—it transforms how you feel, how you carry yourself, and how you show up. In the next episode of The Secrets of Stylish Women, we’re diving into the real benefits of working with a personal stylist. Because your wardrobe isn’t just fabric—it’s strategy, confidence, and presence. New episode drops soon. In the meantime, catch up on past episodes now streaming on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and iHeartRadio.