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.

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 #RahimahYoba #LaurenSimmonds #CostumeDesign #WomenInFilm #CreativeFreedom #FearlessFashionistaAbout 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.

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.

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 Power Network 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, a Mongolian fur shrug from Leslie "Lady Diamonds" Jacobs, and a statement bag from Love Cortnie.

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 with Lauren and start defining a wardrobe that works for you.

🔹 Want more style inspiration? Sign up for Lauren’s newsletter for exclusive tips, insider fashion insights, and updates straight to your inbox.

🎧 Tune in now! #EarnYourLeisure #BlackExcellence #FindYourFabulous #Sofistafunk #LoveCortnie #LeslieLadyDiamonds #BlackOwnedFashion #personalstylist #thefearlessfashionista

Lauren is also an Editorial Expert for Crunchy Tales magazine. Check out her articles here.

Hiring a personal stylist isn’t just about saving time or avoiding endless mall trips—it’s about unlocking a more powerful, self-assured version of yourself. In this episode of The Secrets of Stylish Women, host Lauren Simmonds dives into the real benefits of personal styling beyond the wardrobe. She shares a personal story about the transformative power of fashion, explores why confidence is the true outcome of great style, and explains how working with a stylist can help you redefine your personal brand, embrace self-expression, and command attention in any room.Lauren also walks listeners through real client transformations, from style blueprints to wardrobe reinventions, offering insights into how small shifts can make a massive impact. Whether you’re stuck in a fashion rut, navigating body changes, or looking for fresh inspiration, this episode is your guide to using style as a strategic tool for presence, impact, and reinvention.🔹 Key Takeaways:The intangible benefits of personal styling that go beyond new clothesHow a signature style can elevate your presence and confidenceReal-life client transformations and style blueprintsPractical steps to finding the right personal stylist for youWhy embracing fashion is about self-expression, not just trends💡 Actionable Style Tip: Want to elevate your wardrobe today? Take one underused piece from your closet and challenge yourself to style it in a new way!✨ Listen now and take the first step in aligning your image with your impact.📩 Join Lauren’s community at https://thefearlessfashionista.com/join-the-list for exclusive style tips and insights!For those ready to take the next step in their style journey, Lauren invites them to join her upcoming workshop, Find Your Fabulous: A Step-by-Step Guide to Defining Your Personal Style on 2/17/25. This interactive session will help participants refine their style with purpose and confidence.Sign up for the workshop here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PFQA3o3MTZ2_H93sY74F9gLauren is also an Editorial Expert for Crunchy Tales magazine. Check out her articles here: https://www.crunchytales.com/author/laurensimmonds/ .

Your style isn’t just about you—it sets the tone for how others see you and even how they show up themselves. When you own your look with confidence and intention, you give others permission to do the same.

Coach Sydney Carter is a prime example of this in action. Her fearless, nonconforming fashion choices have challenged the status quo in coaching, inspiring others to step up their style and embrace individuality. From her viral pink leather pants to her unapologetic presence on the sidelines, she’s proving that style can be a leadership tool, a statement of power, and a catalyst for change.

Style isn’t just personal—it’s influential. Watch this clip and see how bold style can elevate not just your confidence, but the world around you.

#FindYourFabulous #TheFearlessFashionista #StyleWithImpact #LeadWithStyle #TheSecretsOfStylishWomen #DIVAEssentials

Your style should work for you, not leave you feeling stuck or uninspired. That’s why I created the DIVA Essentials™ Framework—a simple, strategic approach to defining your personal style and making your wardrobe a true reflection of who you are.

In this episode of The Secrets of Stylish Women, I’ll walk you through the four essential steps to refining your look with confidence and purpose:

✔️ Define your style vision—so you always know what works for you
✔️ Invest in yourself—because great style is about more than just shopping
✔️ View your style as a strategic asset—curate it with intention
✔️ Amplify your impact—let your style work for your goals

Whether you're looking to refresh your wardrobe, step into a new chapter, or simply feel more put together, this framework will help you build a style that feels effortless and uniquely yours.

🎧 Listen now and start making your wardrobe work for you!

S2, Ep 02: The DIVA Essentials™: Your Blueprint for Signature Style

That wake-up call changed everything. I revamped my entire approach to professional style, started dressing with more intention, and finally understood just how much personal style really matters.

It wasn’t just about looking good—it was about showing up with confidence and presence.

In this clip from The Secrets of Stylish Women, I’m sharing how that lesson shaped my style journey and why what you wear is more powerful than you think.

🎧 Watch now and let me know—what moment made you rethink your style?

S2, Ep 01: Meet Personal Stylist Lauren Simmonds: The Fearless Fashionista

Sometimes, you don’t realize you’ve made a style mistake until someone points it out. That’s exactly what happened to me at work in the ‘90s—and let’s just say, I wasn’t happy about it at the time. But looking back, that moment changed everything.

In this clip from The Secrets of Stylish Women, I’m sharing the unexpected fashion wake-up call that reshaped my entire approach to style. Watch now—and stay tuned for part two.

🎧 Have you ever had a style lesson you didn’t see coming? Drop it in the comments!