Amanda Wakeley: Style DNA

In this week’s episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the bold, brilliant and utterly unstoppable Val Garland. From Alexander McQueen and John Galliano to creating Lady Gaga’s iconic Born This Way look, Val has spent four decades pushing the boundaries of beauty and has some fabulous stories to tell along the way…and she is an infectious storyteller!

We go back to her beginnings in Bristol, opening her first hair salon in Australia at just 19, selling up and returning to London to pursue a career as the legendary makeup artist that she became and why turning 60 gave her the confidence to simply wear what she wants.

Her Style DNA? Simple. Quirky. Utilitarian.

Thank you Val for such a fabulous conversation xx

We’re back! Season 12 of Style DNA is here, and I couldn’t think of a better guest to kick things off than the wonderful Rosemary Ferguson, former ’90s model turned functional medicine practitioner, naturopath and nutritionist.

We talk about her brilliantly pragmatic approach to wellness, why there really is no ‘silver bullet’, and her new book The Reset, designed to help us feel better through realistic, sustainable changes rather than restriction. Of course, we also go back to her extraordinary modelling days… from McQueen and Miu Miu to Versace and Fendi and why, despite being at the heart of ’90s fashion, Rose insists she was never really a “fashion girl”.

Her advice to her younger self? Don’t try to be like somebody else. Listen to yourself.

Thank you Rose for being the perfect guest to launch Season 12.

A huge thank you to Silk’n for supporting this season of Style DNA, and for being part of my own skin journey too.

To round off this season of Style DNA, I'm joined by the brilliantly funny, refreshingly honest and endlessly creative Tabitha Webb.

Many of you will know Tabitha as the fashion designer behind her eponymous label and Project D. But this conversation goes far beyond fashion. We talk about the reality of building a business, the financial struggles that often sit behind the glamour, and why having the courage to start again can lead you somewhere even more fulfilling. We discuss imposter syndrome, confidence, ageing, personal style, and the unexpected phone call from Jilly Cooper that changed the course of Tabitha's writing career.

Her Style DNA? Relaxed. Classic. Confident.

It feels rather fitting that we end this season talking about reinvention. One of the greatest privileges of getting older is knowing that it's never too late to change direction, discover a new passion, or write an entirely new chapter.

Thank you for joining me for another wonderful season of Style DNA. I can't wait to share what's next.

Thank you @tabithawebb for being such an entertaining guest xx.

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the terrific Tanya Rose.

From childhood memories of Gordonstoun and weekends spent at Sandringham with the Royal Family, to building one of the world's leading luxury travel businesses, Tanya shares the remarkable experiences that have shaped both her career and her personal style.

We talk about timeless dressing, travelling with purpose, finding confidence through simplicity, and the sentimental pieces she never leaves home without.

Her Style DNA? Simple, Elegant and Modern.

This is a conversation about travel, style, confidence and some wonderfully unforgettable royal stories.

Thank you Tanya for such a joyful conversation xx

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the wonderfully colourful fashion designer, Olivia Rubin.

We talk about the moment she decided to stop shrinking herself after becoming a mother, why colour became her form of self-expression, and the inspiration behind her "Anti-Beige Club" movement, encouraging women to wear what makes them feel good, regardless of age or body shape.

Olivia also shares her journey with postpartum anxiety, her passion for slow, sustainable fashion, and why she now designs entirely for women who refuse to disappear.

Her Style DNA? Colourful, eclectic and whimsical.

This is a conversation about confidence, creativity and embracing the joy of dressing for yourself.

Thank you Olivia for such an uplifting conversation xx

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with one of the UK's most respected beauty editors and broadcasters, the brilliant Sarah Jossel.

We talk about her debut book Diary of a Beauty Editor, why beauty has never been about vanity for her, and how turning 40 has brought a new sense of confidence and resilience.

Sarah speaks openly about growing up feeling self-conscious, learning to care less about other people's opinions, and discovering that confidence comes from feeling comfortable in your own skin. She also admits she's still finding her Style DNA, sharing how a recent stylist helped her embrace tailoring, cleaner silhouettes and colour in a whole new way.

This is a conversation about beauty, confidence, style and learning to dress for yourself, not everyone else.

Thank you Sarah for such an honest and inspiring conversation.

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the broadcaster, journalist, author and passionate campaigner, the wonderful Mariella Frostrup.

We talk about her tireless work to change the conversation around menopause, her latest books Cracking the Menopause and Menolicious, and why she believes women deserve better information and support.

Stylistically, Mariella has embraced a wardrobe built around comfort, confidence and timeless tailoring. She also shares some brilliant stories — from turning up to a date with Iggy Pop in a green velvet unitard, to getting married on a landing craft off the coast of Panama wearing linen culottes and an Armani top.

This is a conversation about confidence, individuality, ageing and finally learning to dress entirely for yourself.

Thank you Mariella for such an honest and inspiring conversation.

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the British horse racing presenter, podcast host and quite possibly the chicest woman in any paddock, Francesca Cumani.

From travelling the world covering horse racing’s biggest meetings to life at home in Yorkshire with three children, Francesca’s world is a fascinating blend of glamour and muddy wellies.

We talk about her accidental journey into television, her love of horses, working with stylist Sarah Kate Byrne, and the impossibly chic Italian grandmother who shaped her approach to style and introduced her to the elegance of Giorgio Armani.

This is a conversation about horses, heritage, timeless fashion and why buying less but better never goes out of style.

Thank you Francesca for such a wonderful conversation x

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the founder and CEO of the Rodial beauty empire, entrepreneur, author and former Dragon’s Den investor, the fabulous Maria Hatzistefanis.

Maria’s story begins on a tiny Greek island where, as a young girl, she spent her pocket money on fashion magazines, creating mood boards of the life she hoped to one day live. Decades later, she rediscovered them and realised she had become the woman she had imagined all those years ago.

We talk about being fired from her banking job, launching Rodial 25 years ago, building a global beauty brand without outside investment, and the lessons behind her latest book How To Make Your First Million.

Stylistically, Maria describes her Style DNA as restrained, elegant and sporty, favouring tailoring, monochrome dressing, beautiful overcoats and timeless pieces over trends.

This is a conversation about ambition, resilience, personal style and building the life you once dreamed about.

Thank you Maria for such an inspiring conversation x.

In this opening episode of Style DNA Season 11 I go on a style journey with my old friend the legendary Duran Duran frontman, the wonderfully charismatic Simon Le Bon. From their early days in Birmingham to global stadium tours, Simon has spent decades at the centre of music, fashion and pop culture. 
We talk about making his own punk clothes as a teenager, auditioning for Duran Duran in pearlescent pink Chelsea boots and leopard print drainpipes, the psychology of performing on stage, Savile Row tailoring, Japanese selvedge denim and why he once didn’t wash a pair of jeans for over ten years…
This is a conversation about individuality, creativity and the enduring power of personal style. Thank you Simon for such a fascinating conversation x
Duran Duran's new single Free To Love is out now. They headline London's BST Hyde Park on July 5th. Tickets for the full summer and autumn tours are at duranduran.com/tour.