Style POV

Fashion Is Not Frivolous: Identity, Power & Psychology with Dr. Valerie Steele

In this episode of Style POV, I’m joined by Dr. Valerie Steele, fashion historian, author, and director of The Museum at FIT. Dr. Steele has shaped the way the world understands fashion. Her work examines the cultural, psychological, and emotional forces behind what we wear and why it matters. We talk about her latest exhibition, Dress, Dreams and Desire: Fashion and Psychoanalysis, and explore how clothing reflects fantasy, identity, memory, and the unconscious. If you’ve ever felt that what you wear holds meaning beyond the outfit, this conversation will affirm it. In this episode, you’ll learn: * How fashion became her lifelong pursuit and why it is never frivolous * Whether corsets were oppressive or empowering * The psychological connection between clothing, identity, and desire * How style can be armor, transformation, and storytelling * Why fashion is a "deep surface" with layers of meaning If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to follow the show and leave a rating. It helps more listeners discover Style POV. More about Dr. Valerie Steele: Website: The Museum at FIT [https://www.fitnyc.edu/museum/about/director.php] Instragram: @valerie_steele_fashion [https://www.instagram.com/valerie_steele_fashion/] Dress, Dreams, & Desire: A History of Fashion and Psychoanalysis, find it here. [https://amzn.to/48aOkmi]  (highly recommend!!) FIT Exhibit: https: //www.fitnyc.edu/museum/exhibitions/dress-dreams-desire Dr. Valerie Steele Photo Credit: Smiljana Peros [https://www.instagram.com/smiljanagram/?hl=en] Timestamps 01:01 – Discovering fashion as more than ‘frivolous’ 03:31 – The corset: Liberating or restricting? 05:59 – Clothing as parts of history 09:48 – Pacing of fashion evolution 14:27 – Traditional psychoanalytic fashion ideas 17:07 – Gender fluidity in fashion 22:51 – Identification and fashion 30:33 – Clothes as armor 35:29 – Dreams, Desires, and Psychoanalysis Exhibit 42:03 – The idea of a deep surface 46:20 – Major fashion influence 47:38 – What’s next for Dr. Valerie Steele Follow me❤️ blog → https://gabriellearruda.com/ podcast → https://www.stylepovpodcast.com [https://www.stylepovpodcast.com] youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign [https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign] facebook group→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/gabriellearruda instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellearrudadesign? pinterest → https://www.pinterest.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ email → gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com [gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com] Disclaimer: The Style POV Podcast content is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Gabrielle Arruda is not liable for any errors or omissions, and listeners use the information at their own risk.

April Clemmer on Style Clarity and the Old Hollywood Star System

In this inspiring episode of Style POV, personal stylist and fashion and film historian April Clemmer unpacks the original “style system” that Hollywood perfected. April shares how film studios engineered star power through wardrobe and image strategy, and how we can take those same timeless lessons into our everyday lives. We explore what classic stars like Audrey Hepburn understood about clarity, identity and presence on screen and how that translates into getting dressed with intention today. From avoiding the cookie-cutter effect to knowing the difference between a look that is classic versus dated, April offers a grounded and empowering path to style evolution. If you want to elevate your wardrobe and confidence without losing yourself in the process, this one’s for you. Watch the full episode to learn how to use Hollywood wisdom to tell your own story through style. Where to Find April Clemmer Website: aprilclemmer.com [https://aprilclemmer.com/] Instagram: @aprilshollywood [https://www.instagram.com/aprilshollywood/] Sign up for April's Audrey Hepburn class {free}: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/create-your-iconic-style-a-masterclass-inspired-by-audrey-hepburn-tickets-1974315208937?aff=oddtdtcreator [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/create-your-iconic-style-a-masterclass-inspired-by-audrey-hepburn-tickets-1974315208937?aff=oddtdtcreator] Follow me❤️ blog → https://gabriellearruda.com/ podcast → https://www.stylepovpodcast.com [https://www.stylepovpodcast.com] youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign [https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign] facebook group→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/gabriellearruda instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellearrudadesign? pinterest → https://www.pinterest.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ email → gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com [gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com] Disclaimer: The Style POV Podcast content is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Gabrielle Arruda is not liable for any errors or omissions, and listeners use the information at their own risk.

Style Is a Skill: Evolving with Intention with Mili Velikova

What if personal style isn’t something you’re born with but something you can learn, refine, and evolve? In this episode of Style POV, I’m joined by Mili Velikova, a style educator and YouTube creator known for her grounded, analytical, and deeply creative approach to dressing well. Mili breaks down why “effortless style” is a myth and shows how small tweaks, intentional choices, and curiosity can completely transform the way you show up. We talk about closing the style knowledge gap, editing your closet with purpose, and learning to view style as a reflection of who you’re becoming- not just what you wear. If you’ve ever felt like your wardrobe doesn’t quite match your identity or you’re craving a more thoughtful approach to fashion, this conversation will inspire you to see getting dressed as both a skill and a form of self-expression. Where to Find Mili Velikova Mili's Styling Services [https://stan.store/stylewithmili] YouTube Channel: @MiliVelikova [https://www.youtube.com/c/MiliVelikova] Instagram: @milivelikova [https://www.instagram.com/milivelikova] Mili's  Timestamps 01:01 – Style is a skill that can be honed 03:40 – Bridging the style knowledge gap 07:20 – Personalizing your style 12:17 – “Effortless Style” is a lie 15:19 – Habits stacking with style systems 18:36 – Editing your closet 21:13 – The gap between online advice and real life 27:20 – Why your style is always evolving 35:54 – Where to ‘debut’ your style experiments 42:46 – Style as a powerful tool 49:34 – Thrifting as a way to experiment with trends 53:20 – Mili’s style strategy sessions 1:03:00 – Being a multidimensional person Follow me❤️ blog → https://gabriellearruda.com/ podcast → https://www.stylepovpodcast.com [https://www.stylepovpodcast.com] youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign [https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign] facebook group→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/gabriellearruda instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellearrudadesign? pinterest → https://www.pinterest.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ email → gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com [gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com] Disclaimer: The Style POV Podcast content is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Gabrielle Arruda is not liable for any errors or omissions, and listeners use the information at their own risk.

Poeticizing Personal Style with Fatima Ess: How to Tell Your Story Through Clothing

In this episode of Style POV, we sit down with Fatima Ess, founder of Poeticize Your Presence, to explore her signature system that fuses silhouette analysis, custom color palettes, and style energy archetypes into something deeply personal and liberating. Fatima shares how her background as an image consultant, author, and brand storyteller shaped a philosophy that celebrates individuality rather than conformity. From challenging traditional color analysis stereotypes to introducing the concept of aesthetic bandwidth, this conversation dives into the psychology and poetry behind what we wear. If you’ve ever felt limited by labels or rigid style “rules,” this episode will help you see fashion as a creative language of self-expression. 🎧 Tune in to hear Fatima’s approach to creating wardrobes that feel like your story: authentic, joyful, and uniquely yours. Where to Find Fatima Ess Website: poeticizeyourpresence.org [https://poeticizeyourpresence.org/] Facebook Group: Poeticize Your Presence [https://www.facebook.com/groups/poeticize] Full Story Package: The Full Story [https://poeticizeyourpresence.org/product/the-full-story-silhouette-colour-analysis-style-archetype-video-consult/] Timestamps 01:01 – The birth of Poeticize Your Presence 03:50 – Storytelling element of personal style 08:02 – Learning the foundations but breaking the rules 13:00 – Aesthetic bandwidth 16:57 – The Poeticize Your Presence method 19:52 – Breaking color analysis stereotypes 29:38 – Understanding blends 33:57 – A system that liberates, not constricts 38:42 – Where to start exploring 41:48 – A piece that tells your story Follow me❤️ blog → https://gabriellearruda.com/ podcast → https://www.stylepovpodcast.com [https://www.stylepovpodcast.com] youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign [https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign] facebook group→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/gabriellearruda instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellearrudadesign? pinterest → https://www.pinterest.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ email → gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com [gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com] Disclaimer: The Style POV Podcast content is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Gabrielle Arruda is not liable for any errors or omissions, and listeners use the information at their own risk.

What Is Personal Style (And Why It Matters) - with Hannah Poston

What does personal style really mean, and why does it matter? In this episode, I sit down with writer and content creator Hannah Poston, known for her thoughtful, grounded approach to beauty and fashion. If you’ve watched her channel, you know she treats getting dressed as a daily practice rather than a performance, and that philosophy is at the heart of our conversation. Together, we unpack what it means to develop a personal point of view in a world saturated with trends and aesthetics. From understanding how taste evolves over time to finding a balance between investment pieces and novelty, this episode explores both the philosophy and the practicality of style. We also dive into the “knowledge gap” that makes fashion feel inaccessible to many, how the internet shapes our perception of what’s stylish, and how to reconnect with the joy and intention of getting dressed. Where to Find Hannah Poston Website: hannahlouiseposton.com [https://www.hannahlouiseposton.com/] YouTube: @HannahLouisePoston [https://www.youtube.com/@HannahLouisePoston/featured] Instagram: hannahlouiseposton [https://www.instagram.com/hannahlouiseposton/#] Hannah's trend video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ugQ1Pbp5ms Timestamps 01:49 – Why personal style matters 04:00 – Is having style frivolous? 10:00 – Is style perfection the ultimate goal? 13:19 – Fast fashion and trends 23:00 – Knowledge gap about fashion 28:00 – The Internet as a tool for fashion 35:00 – Fantasy version of style versus the day-to-day 41:20 – Sources of style inspiration 49:50 – Rise and fall of certain aesthetics Follow me❤️ blog → https://gabriellearruda.com/ podcast → https://www.stylepovpodcast.com [https://www.stylepovpodcast.com] youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign [https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign] facebook group→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/gabriellearruda instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellearrudadesign? pinterest → https://www.pinterest.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ email → gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com [gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com] Disclaimer: The Style POV Podcast content is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Gabrielle Arruda is not liable for any errors or omissions, and listeners use the information at their own risk.