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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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.

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
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.

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.

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

Facebook Group: Poeticize Your Presence

Full Story Package: The Full Story

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

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.

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

YouTube: @HannahLouisePoston

Instagram: 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

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.

Today on Style POV, I’m joined by the incomparable Marisa Meltzer, bestselling author of Glossy and Girl Power, and a writer the New York Times calls “culturally astute and genuine.” In her latest work, It Girl: The Life and Legacy of Jane Birkin (out October 7th, 2025), Marisa traces how an insecure London teenager grew into the epitome of effortless French style.

Our conversation pulls back the veil on Birkin- not just as a fashion icon, but as an artist, activist, and woman who embodied both myth and humanity. We explore the tension between style and spontaneity, the reality behind the legend, and how her influence endures far beyond the iconic bag that bears her name.

We also dive into:

• Why Marisa chose Jane Birkin as the subject of her newest book
• The evolution of Birkin’s style, from uncertain beginnings to global influence
• The role of accident versus intention in her self-curation
• Life with Serge Gainsbourg and her fame in France
• The cultural legacy of the Birkin bag
• Birkin’s artistry, activism, and family life
• A rare story about her connection to Princess Diana
• What to expect from It Girl upon its release

Whether you’ve long admired Jane Birkin’s mystique or are curious about the woman behind the legend, this episode is an invitation to see beyond the surface- to discover the complexity, vulnerability, and brilliance that made her unforgettable.

Where to Find Marisa Meltzer

Buy her book: The Life and Legacy of Jane Birkin (it's a great read!!)*

Website: MarisaMeltzer.com

Instagram: @marisameltzer

X: @MarisaMeltzer

Substack: Soft Power by Marisa Meltzer

We may earn a commission from you clicking a link below. And as an amazon associate, we earn on qualifying purchases. Full affiliate policy, here.

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.

This is the LAST episode of season 2! See you next season!

Today’s guest is someone whose influence in the world of color and personal style is nothing short of iconic. Emmy award-winning stylist and bestselling author David Zyla joins Style POV to share his intuitive, story-driven approach to style—one that has helped thousands of people across the globe discover their truest selves through color.

From dressing political powerhouses and celebrities to guiding everyday clients through transformative style journeys, David’s work is rooted in the belief that clothing should not conceal who you are, but rather reveal it.

In this rich and expansive conversation, we explore the philosophy behind David’s signature color system, the artistry of archetypes, and how texture, movement, and tone all work together to express identity. Whether you’re already a fan of his books (Color Your Style, How to Win at Shopping), or this is your first introduction to his work, this episode offers a generous window into the heart of what makes his approach so enduring.

We talk about:
– The moment David fell in love with style and color
– Why the colors we’re drawn to often hold personal significance
– His unique process of identifying your Signature, Romantic, and Essence colors
– Using archetypes to align your wardrobe with your energy and values
– How to evolve your style during life transitions
– The emotional and energetic power of texture, fabric, and silhouette
– Listener questions about color fear, finding your “home base” hue, and dressing for presence
– Behind-the-scenes stories from the world of TV costume design

This episode is a masterclass in using archetypes, color, and clothing as tools for self-expression—an invitation to dress with intention, clarity, and authenticity.

Full Show Notes: https://gabriellearruda.com/david-zyla-style-pov/

Where to Find David Zyla

Website: www.davidzyla.com

David's Pinterest Boards: https://www.pinterest.com/davidzylastyle/

Watch the episode instead: https://youtu.be/i9_HiknzSb8

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.

Today on Style POV, I’m joined by someone who makes the everyday feel cinematic. Abi Hoffman is a fashion content creator, writer, and vintage curator whose work lives at the intersection of beauty, storytelling, and intention. Her aesthetic—what she calls “maximalist-minimalist”—merges structured silhouettes with rich textures, archival pieces, and those unforgettable flourishes that give fashion its emotional weight.

In this conversation, Abi shares how her background in music and visual storytelling shapes her unique approach to style. We talk about the art of romanticizing your wardrobe (without leaning into cliché), building a closet that feels like a deeply personal collection, and what it means to lead with intuition when it comes to dressing.

We also dive into:

• The philosophy behind her signature style
• Why some vintage finds feel like lifelong companions
• Her favorite designer brands for inspiration
• How travel shapes her fashion point of view
• The delight of vintage hunting (and how to shop online for it)
• Pinterest as a modern mood board
• And a glimpse into her upcoming creative project

Whether you're in the middle of refining your wardrobe or dreaming about your next great find, this episode is an invitation to slow down, go deeper, and embrace fashion as both art and autobiography.

full show notes: https://gabriellearruda.com/abi-hoffman-style-romanticism/

Where to Find Abi Hoffman

Substack: Abi Hoffman

Instagram: @abihoffman

Timestamps

01:40 – Abi Hoffman’s maximalist-minimalist personal style
05:01 – Three designer brands to love
07:59 – Romanticizing your style
10:31 – Relying on intuition instead of a styling process
11:57 – Style as part innate, part learned habits
15:43 – Sources of style inspiration
18:02 – The joy vintage hunting
20:13 – Vintage shopping online
24:07 – Traveling and style
29:52 – Pinterest as a style tool
33:13 – Abi Hoffman’s upcoming project

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.