Stressed But Well Dressed

Dahlia Stroud

"Stressed But Well Dressed" delves into the link between stress, confidence, and clothing, helping listeners build a "well-dressed mindset" for success. Dahlia hosts weekly conversations with a diverse range of guests—psychologists, founders, authors, designers, coaches, TV personalities, journalists, a firefighter, a former cult member, marketeers, and even Miss Great Britain—to explore the impact of stress on identity, confidence, and mindset from unique perspectives across a range of topics. Expect thought provoking conversations, practical tips for success and a bit of fashion in the mix!

  1. Season 13, Episode 7: Understanding the beauty industry (with guest Ruby Hammer MBE)

    24 AVR.

    Season 13, Episode 7: Understanding the beauty industry (with guest Ruby Hammer MBE)

    Dahlia is joined by Ruby Hammer MBE one of the UK's leading makeup artists to discuss the beauty landscape today and share her story. Ruby reflects on her upbringing in Nigeria, the influence her mother's style had on how she now dresses and the resilience she has built through her career. Dahlia and Ruby discuss the beauty industry today, why to buy certain products and how to understand what works for you. Ruby talks about managing menopause, her divorce and gives her outlook on the world and what truly makes someone beautiful. Ruby Hammer MBE’s stellar beauty career has made her one of the most recognisable and sought-after makeup artists, beauty and grooming experts in the world. From creating iconic looks on 80s supermodels to launching Ruby & Millie, the first British inclusive makeupartist range. In 2007 Ruby received an MBE from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services to the cosmetics industry. Ruby has been pushing boundaries andredefining the beauty category for over 40 years. Today, Ruby remains numberone on speed dial for celebrities, royalty, and editors alike – just as sought after for her unrivalled industry insight as her award-winning eponymous products. Ruby’s passion for colour started at a young age. Born in Jos, Nigeria to Bangladeshi parents, she moved to London in at the age of twelve, where she discovered the world of beauty – covering her bedroom wall with torn out iconic looks from her favourite makeup artists instead ofpop stars. Before obtaining her BA (Hons), her career began on the shop floor in Harrods, where the store discount was used to buy makeup and international fashion magazines. A chance encounter led to being invited to work as assistantto a leading makeup artist, gaining experience working on the top fashion magazines of the time and building key contacts. A few short years later, Ruby was a leading makeup artist in her own right – creating her own iconic looksfor editorial and red carpets, and breaking boundaries as one of the first makeup artists of colour to feature regularly on British TV.Today, Ruby remains one of the leading makeupartists in the world with a huge presence in both print, digital and social platforms. Her beauty motto is “Makeup shouldn’t be a mask”, preferring to use her skill to emphasise your features and celebrate difference. Always achampion of diversity and age inclusivity, she avoids filters and photoshopping on her social media feeds celebrating natural beauty, creating and defining newinfluences rather than following the trends. In addition, Ruby being recognised for her impeccable style and design sense, has been hand-picked to collaboratewith brands such as Scamp and Dude and Wyse and served as ambassador on both commercial and charitable projects. She is loved by her peers and VIP clients both for her innovation and genius, as well as for her huge heart and willingness to give back.

    53 min
  2. Season 13, Episode 5: Our most courageous clothing (with guest Harriet-Lee Glover)

    10 AVR.

    Season 13, Episode 5: Our most courageous clothing (with guest Harriet-Lee Glover)

    Dahlia is joined by Harriet Glover to discuss clothes, courage and a cancer diagnosis. The episode shares Harriet's story and her determination to use clothes to demonstrate that whilst she was being treated for cancer, that diagnosis would not define who she was. Harriet was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in March 2025, just four months after giving birth to her second daughter, Holly.With her eldest, Rowan, having only just turned three, her immediate reaction was simple and honest: “I haven’t got time for this.” While Harriet quickly had to place her physical health in thehands of the incredible team at St James’s University Hospital, she made a conscious decision to hold onto control of her mindset and outlook. There were, of course, moments of anger and overwhelm, the “why me?” and “this isn’t fair”days, but with the unwavering support of family and friends, she navigated over 18 months of treatment while continuing to live busy family life alongside it.   Throughout her journey, Harriet found unexpected empowerment in self-expression. Letting go of the “mum bun,” she embraced bold hairstyles anddopamine dressing, using fashion as a way to feel uplifted, put together, and still connected to joy. It became a daily reminder that even in the hardest moments, there were choices she could still make for herself.   Now, having been given the all-clear, Harriet has returned to her work in learning and development with a renewed sense of purpose. Her passion for helping others grow and take control of their careers has been reignited, now enriched by her own powerful story of resilience, perspective, andpossibility. Personal note from Dahlia as the host: This episode was recorded in person and it was a privilege to sit with Harriet on the sofa and listen to her story which was so incredibly inspiring. This episode covers the topic of receiving a cancer diagnosis in detail. Stressed But Well Dressed is hosted by Dahlia Stroud and a new episode of the show is released every Friday with Dahlia interviewing a guest on the link between clothes and confidence and discussing their version of well-dressed. Go behind the show on instagram @stressedbutwelldressed_podcast, follow Stressed But Well Dressed on substack or find Dahlia Stroud on LinkedIn

    36 min
  3. Season 13, Episode 3: A moment to ALIGNE (with guest Ginny Seymour)

    27 MARS

    Season 13, Episode 3: A moment to ALIGNE (with guest Ginny Seymour)

    Dahlia is joined by Ginny Seymour, CEO and founder of fashion brand ALIGNE to discuss clothes, confidence and cultivating a community through a brand. Ginny shares her background in fashion retail and the journey that she has taken the ALIGNE brand on since she became CEO in 2023. She shares how under leadership they pivoted the brand design and presentation, creating a clear handwriting for ALIGNE and more recently partnering with SheerLuxe - the biggest activation for both brands to date. The conversation covers how to embody the role of CEO of one of the hottest new fashion brands, London vs New York street style and why ALIGNE is focused on psychographics not demographics creating what Ginny describes as an 'attitude' of confidence.  Ginny Seymour is the CEO and founder of ALIGNE, the London-bornwomenswear brand she re-founded and reimagined in 2023 with a clear mission: to redefine contemporary fashion through design-led, accessibly-priced hero pieces made for modern women. Under her creative and strategic leadership, ALIGNE has established a distinct aesthetic rooted in confident silhouettes, sharp tailoring, and refined essentials designed to power everyday life with ease andconfidence.   Born in Toronto, Seymour began her career in New York as a Contemporary Buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue and brings more than 20 years of global fashion leadership across design, merchandising, product development, e-commerce, marketing and operations. Her career spans senior roles at Saks Fifth Avenue, Holt Renfrew, Hudson’s Bay Company, Roots Canada and Astrid & Miyu, shaping brand and product strategies across North America and the UK. Since relaunching ALIGNE as a DTC-first brand in 2023, Seymour has overseen significant growth in the UK – where the brand is designed and creatively led – while thoughtfully expanding into the U.S. market. ALIGNE recently launched with Nordstrom and opened a New York operational hub to support international scale and community growth. Known for its tailoring, outerwear and denim, ALIGNE has cultivated a growing globalcommunity of women who value confidence, craft, and clothing with purpose.   Beyond fashion, Seymour is a dedicated advocate for women’s empowerment, mental health, and women’s sport. She champions initiatives that create pathways for women to thrive, including support of Smart Works, the UK charity helping women re-enter the workforce, and programs uplifting athletes from grassroots to professional level. Seymour in London, where she lives with her husband and two sons.

    32 min
  4. Season 13, Episode 2: Clothes, Divorce and Dating (with guest Liv Lewis)

    20 MARS

    Season 13, Episode 2: Clothes, Divorce and Dating (with guest Liv Lewis)

    Dahlia is joined by Liv Lewis, known on instagram under the handle 'Ultimate Girl Gang' to discuss stress, dress, divorce and dating. Dahlia and Liv dive into an honest, grounded conversation about how divorce reshapes your identity, exploring what it really means to move from being part of a partnership to rediscovering yourself as an individual. They unpack the emotional, practical and deeply personal shifts that happen when a long-term relationship ends, and how that transition forces you to confront who you are without the structure of a couple. Liv shares her lived experience of going through a divorce—what the process demanded of her, how it changed her day-to-day life, and the unexpected ways it challenged her sense of self. She talks openly about the emotional fallout, the rebuilding phase, and the slow, sometimes uncomfortable work of understanding what you want, what you value and how you want to show up in the world after a major life change. The conversation explores how significant transitions—like divorce, separation or the end of a long-term relationship—can shape your identity and push you into a new chapter of personal growth. Dahlia and Liv discuss how to rebuild confidence from the inside out, how to reconnect with your own voice, and how to create a life that feels aligned with who you are becoming. They also touch on the lighter, practical side of starting again: what to wear when you begin dating after divorce, how style can support confidence, and how clothing can help you express a renewed sense of self. It’s a thoughtful, relatable discussion for anyone navigating identity shifts, rediscovery and the realities of life after divorce. Liv Lewis lives in the Cotswolds with her 4 daughters and runs the instagram account 'Ultimate Girl Gang'. Her love for fashion has seen her previously holding roles at Christian Louboutin and Net-A-Porter.

    30 min
  5. Season 13, Episode 1: Do we need International Women's Day? (with guest Tea Colaianni)

    13 MARS

    Season 13, Episode 1: Do we need International Women's Day? (with guest Tea Colaianni)

    Dahlia is joined by Tea Colaianni founder and chair of WiHTL the collaborative community driving inclusion across Hospitality, Travel, Retail and Leisure industries to reflect on International Women's Day. The conversation unpacks the purpose of the day and whether it is still relevant in 2026. Dahlia and Tea talk about the need for companies to have clear policies and practices - and how stressful it can be for employees who work in a culture where policies and practice don't appear to align. The discussion includes Tea's view on the theme for 2026 which was 'Give to Gain' and whether women should actually feel the need to continue to 'give' in order to gain equality. Tea shares examples of where she has challenged the status quo, how she has built her confidence and the real business value of inclusive leadership. Tea Colaianni has more than 30 years experience in consumer facing industries gained in organisations like Hilton Hotels and Merlin Entertainments. A lawyer by training, after a successful executive career as Chief People Officer, Tea has built a broad advisory portfolio serving on multiple boards as a Non-Executive Director. She is currently Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee at The Watches of Switzerland Group Plc and Non-Executive Director at SD Worx NV. Tea was previously Vice-Chair and Chair of the ESG Committee at Canford School. Tea is the Founder and Chair of WiHTL & Diversity in Retail, a member organisation counting over 115 of the most recognisable brands in the hospitality, travel, leisure and retail industries worldwide with a mission to create diverse and inclusive working environments and positively impact 5 million employees globally by 2030

    35 min

À propos

"Stressed But Well Dressed" delves into the link between stress, confidence, and clothing, helping listeners build a "well-dressed mindset" for success. Dahlia hosts weekly conversations with a diverse range of guests—psychologists, founders, authors, designers, coaches, TV personalities, journalists, a firefighter, a former cult member, marketeers, and even Miss Great Britain—to explore the impact of stress on identity, confidence, and mindset from unique perspectives across a range of topics. Expect thought provoking conversations, practical tips for success and a bit of fashion in the mix!

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