We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dori Gladden. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dori below.

Hi Dori, thanks for joining us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

I’ve always been drawn to fashion—not just as an art form, but as a way to help people express who they are. Long before I knew personal styling was a real profession, I was the one my friends and family turned to when they needed help shopping or pulling together outfits. It was instinctive.

Eventually, that instinct turned into a career. I earned degrees in fashion design from FIDM in Los Angeles and ESMOD in Paris, where I deepened my understanding of fit, fabric, and garment construction. I spent years as a fashion designer, learning what makes a piece truly work—and more importantly, how it feels on the body. That foundation sets me apart from most personal stylists working today.

I transitioned from design to styling because I wanted to combine two of my favorite things: fashion and people. Helping someone rediscover their personal style or finally feel good in their clothes—that never gets old. My work is about more than outfits; it’s about the energy you feel when you know you look good, and bringing that energy into every part of your life.

My take on personal styling is simple,
It’s for everyone. Not just in a red carpet, designer label kind of way, but in a be true to yourself, wear what you love, can’t wait to get dressed every morning kind of way.

Dori, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve been immersed in fashion for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was the one friends and family called when they needed help shopping or figuring out what to wear. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was already doing the work of a personal stylist—long before I knew it was even a real career.

Eventually, I followed that passion formally, earning degrees in fashion design from FIDM in Los Angeles and ESMOD in Paris. I spent years working as a fashion designer, where I learned the technical side of clothing—how garments are constructed, how fabric behaves, how proper fit can make all the difference. That foundation gave me a deep respect for quality and craftsmanship, which still informs everything I do today.

After decades in the design world, I made a shift into personal styling because I realized what I really loved was helping people—especially women—feel good in their clothes. Today, I work as a personal stylist helping women 50+ rediscover their style and create wardrobes that actually work for their real lives. That might mean editing their closets, guiding them through shopping (in-person or online), creating outfits from what they already own, or building out a digital wardrobe they can reference with ease. My clients range from busy professionals to women navigating life transitions—empty nesters, retirees, and anyone who’s ready to stop wasting money on clothes that don’t work.

The problem I solve is something many women face but don’t always talk about: the feeling of standing in front of a full closet and thinking, “I have nothing to wear.” I help clear the clutter—physically and mentally—and bring style back to a place of ease and self-expression, not stress.

What sets me apart from most personal stylists is my background in design and deep knowledge of fit, fabric, and quality. I don’t just style outfits—I understand how clothing is made and why it works (or doesn’t) on different bodies. That means I can spot issues with tailoring, steer clients toward better-made pieces, and make sure what they buy actually fits and feels right—not just looks good on a hanger.

I’m most proud of the trust my clients place in me and the transformations I get to witness—not just in their closets, but in how they show up for their lives. For many women, style becomes something they’ve put on the back burner while raising families or focusing on careers. My work helps bring it back—not in a performative way, but in a personal, intentional way.

What I want potential clients to know is this: style isn’t about perfection or keeping up with trends. It’s about honoring who you are now. My brand is all about real style for real life—with clothes that feel like you, that fit your body, and that support your day-to-day with ease.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes—there is definitely a mission driving my creative journey, and it’s deeply personal.

For me, style has always been more than just clothes. It’s a mirror for how we see ourselves and how we show up in the world. Over the years, as my own life evolved—from building a career, raising a family, navigating transitions—I realized that my personal style needed to evolve too. But like so many women, I had moments where I lost track of that connection. I was dressing for roles, responsibilities, or expectations—not for me.

That realization became the heartbeat of my work.

I believe that when your life transitions, your personal style should too. Especially in midlife, when many women find themselves with more time, energy, and resources to spend on themselves again, there’s this opportunity to reconnect—with our bodies, our values, and what makes us feel good.

My mission is to help women use fashion as a tool for self-expression and self-care. Not in a trendy, surface-level way—but in a way that honors who they’ve become and who they’re still becoming. Whether it’s editing a closet that no longer reflects your life, discovering pieces that make you feel excited to get dressed again, or simply giving yourself permission to take up space—this is the work I love to do.

Personal style isn’t something you outgrow—it’s something you grow with. My goal is to support women in midlife to rediscover that part of themselves and create wardrobes that reflect their truth, their ease, and their joy.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

My creative journey has always been guided by where I am in life, and right now, I’m in a season of returning to myself.

For over 15 years, I’ve run a successful fashion design school for kids called Camp Fashionista. It is a beautiful chapter—one filled with creativity, joy, and community. I built something from the ground up that empowered young people to express themselves through fashion, and I’m incredibly proud of that. But as the years have gone on and my own life evolved, I realized I was ready for a shift. My energy wasn’t centered around children anymore—it was calling me to something more aligned with where I am now.

So I made a bold pivot.

I took all the experience, education, and creativity I’d poured into the fashion world—and began a new styling business that reflects the woman I’ve become. One that lets me connect with other women in midlife who, like me, are ready to reclaim style as something meaningful again.

This new chapter isn’t about runways or trends. It’s about helping women rediscover themselves through clothes that feel honest, elevated, and personal. Whether they’ve lost touch with their style through years of caregiving, career-building, or just life happening—it’s never too late to get it back.

Now, I work one-on-one with women to edit their closets, shop with intention, and build wardrobes that reflect who they are now—not who they used to be, or who they think they should be. It’s part education, part transformation, and always deeply personal.

At its core, my mission is about helping women see themselves clearly again—and style is just the starting point.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dorigladdenstylist.com
• Instagram: @dorigladdenstylist
• Facebook: Dori Gladden Stylist
• Other: [email protected]