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

Instragram: @valerie_steele_fashion

Dress, Dreams, & Desire: A History of Fashion and Psychoanalysis, find it here. (highly recommend!!)

FIT Exhibit: https: //www.fitnyc.edu/museum/exhibitions/dress-dreams-desire

Dr. Valerie Steele Photo Credit: Smiljana Peros

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

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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.

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

Instagram: @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

Follow me❤️

blog → https://gabriellearruda.com/

podcast → https://www.stylepovpodcast.com

youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign
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tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellearrudadesign?
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email → 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 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

YouTube Channel: @MiliVelikova

Instagram: @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

youtube → 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

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.