The Style Project: Real talk about confidence, identity and personal style

Caitlin Taylor
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  • Fashion & Beauty

The Style Project is a podcast for women who know something needs to change, they just need help figuring out what. Hosted by Caitlin Taylor, Auckland-based personal stylist and founder of Caitlin Taylor Stylist, each episode is a real, honest conversation about style, confidence and identity. Expect solo episodes where Caitlin shares practical styling advice, and guest conversations with women who have something worth hearing. No trends, no fluff, just real talk about dressing the woman you are right now.

Episodes

  1. 11/06/2021

    Artist and designer Evie Kemp

    In this episode of The Style Project, host and style coach Caitlin Taylor sits down with designer and creative Evie Kemp to explore the real, often messy journey toward body confidence and personal style. Together they unpack why body love is not something you are born with, and how surrounding yourself with the right people and influences can slowly but powerfully change how you see yourself. - Why body confidence is a learned skill, not an innate trait, and what that journey looks like in practice - How personal style can be a tool for self-expression, confidence, and even business identity - The concept of dopamine dressing and how wearing colour can genuinely lift your mood - Evie's personal story of not showing her arms for decades and the mindset shift that changed everything - The damaging long-term impact of offhand comments about children's bodies and appearance - Why curating your social media feed is one of the most powerful things you can do for your body image - The danger of chasing a Pinterest ideal versus finding what actually works for your own shape and style personality - Why you should stop waiting until you hit a goal weight or size to enjoy getting dressed Resources and people mentioned: - Evie Kemp, designer and creative - Monique Doi, Dressing Up - EJ, Sisterhood of Style - Michelle, Show and Tell Video - Taryn Brumfitt and the Embrace documentary - Finery Cocktails (season sponsor), finerycocktails.co.nz - Caitlin Taylor, ChasingKate.com Chapters (00:00:07) - The Style Project: Episode 2(00:01:33) - The Clothes of Fashion Girls(00:03:54) - Your Style Personality(00:06:36) - Charlise Cooper's Wardrobe(00:08:20) - Julie Bowen on Her Personal Style(00:11:00) - How Do You Feel About Your Body?(00:13:27) - Getting Your Arms Out(00:16:30) - The Real World of Fashion(00:18:26) - Do You Feel Good About Your Body?(00:20:28) - Plus-Size Women Talk About Their Dresses(00:23:39) - Have Changes in Your Body Changed Your Style?(00:27:47) - How to Paint a Walls(00:28:08) - What Would You Tell Your 15-Year-Old Self?(00:32:37) - Susie Wiles on fashion and body image(00:37:25) - "It's Just A Clothes Photo"(00:39:25) - Katie on Self-Esteem(00:42:26) - What To Do About Fringes After Having A Baby(00:45:04) - Style Coach

    46 min

  2. 10/23/2021

    Brooke Falvey: model and content creator

    In this episode of The Style Project, host Caitlin Taylor, a style coach and personal stylist, sits down with Brisbane-based stylist, model, journalist, and influencer Brooke Falvey, known as What Brooke Wore. Together they explore body image, confidence, personal style, and the powerful relationship between how we dress and how we feel about ourselves. - How Brooke defines her personal style and why staying authentic to it matters in her work as an influencer - The concept of style personality and how identifying a few key words can transform the way you build outfits - Why dopamine dressing is about more than bright colors and how it can genuinely shift your mood - Brooke's honest take on body image, sitting at "85% love" and why she believes no one loves their body 100% of the time - The difference between being bold and being brave when it comes to wearing what you want - How the modeling industry and social media are slowly embracing body diversity and why it still has a long way to go - The importance of curating your social media feed for your own mental health and unfollowing accounts that make you feel less than - Practical advice for anyone struggling with body image, including finding your personal "armor" and starting with one daily compliment Resources and people mentioned: - Nikki from Styling You and the Styling You swimsuit campaign - Sasha Drake, Brisbane-based fashion designer - Finery Cocktails, season sponsor, available at finerycocktails.co.nz and Dan Murphy's Australia - Ms. Tyler, a website that matches shoppers to models with similar measurements - Mr. Zimmy, a colorful fashion brand popular during lockdown - Australian Institute of Style, where Brooke won Stylist of the Year 2020 - Brooke Falvey, What Brooke Wore, on Instagram - Caitlin Taylor, Chasing Kate Style Coach, on Instagram and Facebook Chapters (00:00:07) - The Style Project(00:01:27) - The Style Project(00:01:59) - Meet Fashion Blogger and Old School Slashie Brooke(00:04:36) - Q&A(00:08:34) - Queenslander in the Wardrobe(00:12:42) - Brooke Wilson on Her Personal Style(00:17:13) - Melissa Benoit on her body(00:23:43) - Beach togs: Don't worry about what others think of(00:28:31) - Dopamine Dressing(00:31:56) - Have Significant Events Changed Your Body Image?(00:36:28) - What would you tell your 15 year old self about body love and(00:44:10) - Aussie's inclusion of plus-size brands(00:45:19) - Katie Holmes on Body Image(00:51:40) - Bill Cunningham: Find Your Fashion Armor(00:53:01) - The Style Project with Kaitlyn Taylor

    56 min

  3. 10/09/2021

    Cassie Roma: Kindness Warrior

    In this episode of The Style Project, host Caitlin Taylor, a style coach and personal stylist, sits down with Cassie Roma, modern media storyteller, content creator, and notable face from The Apprentice Aotearoa. The two explore how personal style is deeply tied to identity, self-acceptance, and the courage to show up authentically in the world. - How Cassie defines her personal style and why dressing like her grandfather makes her feel powerful - The non-negotiable boundary Cassie set before appearing on The Apprentice Aotearoa regarding her wardrobe - Cassie's journey of coming out in her mid-30s and how dressing authentically transformed her confidence, body composition, and outlook - The moment Cassie's "give a damn got busted" and she stopped dressing for other people's expectations - Why the clothes that don't fit are the garment's fault, not your body's - How casual, off-the-cuff comments about appearance chip away at confidence and silence entire communities - The importance of body neutrality as a starting point, and why you should never wait until you reach a goal weight to express your style - How to navigate body image conversations with children and why gassing each other up as women creates real social change Resources and People Mentioned: - Wildfang (womenswear brand, wildfang.com) - The Apprentice Aotearoa (TVNZ) - Jess Quinn, body image advocate and friend of both hosts - Nikki Parkinson, stylist and blogger at Styling You (Australia) - Finery Cocktails, season sponsor (finerycocktails.co.nz) - Chasing Kate blog and style coaching (ChasingKate.com) - Instagram: @ChasingKateStyleCoach - Facebook: @ChasingKate Chapters (00:00:07) - The Style Project: Season 2(00:01:47) - How We Got To Know Each Other(00:05:56) - Three Descriptive Words For Your Style(00:07:36) - The Celebrity Apprentice(00:10:52) - The Real Apprentice: When You Don't Have to Conform To(00:16:18) - Have You Lost Any Body Confidence?(00:21:38) - The Apprentice: Personal Style(00:27:28) - The Power of Clothes(00:31:12) - What Would I Tell 15 Year Old Cassie About Body Love &(00:38:41) - Chelsea's message about dresses(00:40:02) - Chasing Kate on Fashion and Body Image(00:45:22) - Caitlin on Comments on Instagram(00:50:21) - What advice would you have for others struggling with their body image?(00:55:11) - Body positivity(00:59:22) - Turning 40

    1h 2m

  4. 04/30/2020

    Jess Quinn

    In this episode of The Style Project, host and style coach Caitlin Taylor sits down with New Zealand model and body diversity advocate Jess Quinn. Jess shares her remarkable journey from losing her leg to cancer at age nine, to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in the body image conversation, and how that journey has shaped her relationship with style, self-worth, and the world around her. - How Jess went from 1,000 Instagram followers to viral sensation and full-time model and advocate in the span of three months - Why Jess describes her personal style as comfortable, oversized, and masculine, and what that reveals about the deep connection between body experience and clothing choices - The honest conversation around the body positivity movement and why constant focus on bodies, even in a positive framing, can be counterproductive - Jess's petition to require disclaimers on retouched images in New Zealand media, and how it became the most-signed petition in the country that year - The complicated line between personal choices like makeup, fake tan, and cosmetic procedures versus Photoshop and filtered social media imagery - Why clothing sizes are largely meaningless and how shopping for fit rather than label can transform how you feel getting dressed - The moment Jess decided to stop letting cancer take her happiness, and how she faked confidence until it became real - What brands like Dove and Bras N Things are doing right when it comes to authentic body diversity in advertising Resources and people mentioned: - Taryn Brumfitt and the documentary "Embrace" - Katie Wilcox, model and owner of Jess's modeling agency in America - Dove body image campaigns and parent resources - Bras N Things body diversity campaign - Ruby, a New Zealand fashion brand - Ellie's Belly (Instagram account recommended by Caitlin) - Jess Quinn on Instagram: @jessquinn - Caitlin Taylor: ChasingKate.com, Facebook and Instagram @ChasingKateStyleCoach Chapters (00:00:07) - The Style Project(00:00:54) - Jess Quinn on the Star Project(00:01:22) - Tell Me More About Who You Are(00:04:00) - Three Words to Describe Your Style(00:05:38) - Favorite Thing Ever To Wear(00:06:31) - Do You Care About Your Personal Style?(00:10:34) - The Secret To Good Style(00:16:25) - Fat Women Talking About Their Body(00:19:57) - Jasquin on Body positivity(00:24:28) - Jethro on Controversial Cosmetic Procedures(00:28:48) - Are We All Tanning Our Skin To Look More Beautiful?(00:31:11) - What do you think of the(00:36:48) - Katie on supporting smaller brands(00:40:59) - Kate's Body Image Advice(00:45:39) - Queenslander style bloggers on(00:50:42) - Don't Worry What Others Think Of You(00:54:16) - The Beach Girls Get In The Water(00:54:39) - What's You Working On For 2017?(00:57:38) - Jess Quinn on The Style Project With Kaitlyn Taylor

    59 min

  5. 04/08/2020

    Natalie Tolhopf: Business and mindset coach

    In this episode of The Style Project, host and style coach Caitlin Taylor sits down with business confidence coach Nat Toller for an honest, energetic conversation about body image, self-acceptance, and how the clothes we wear are deeply connected to how we feel about ourselves. Together they unpack the mindset shifts that helped Nat go from hiding behind her wardrobe to fully owning her style, and share practical wisdom that any woman can take away. - How a sudden facial paralysis became a turning point in Nat's relationship with her own appearance and confidence - Why the word "flattering" is not a dirty word, and how dressing to highlight what you love changes everything - The comfort zone, the stretchy zone, and the terror zone framework for building style confidence gradually - How diet culture and early messaging around body size can follow women well into adulthood - The psychological habit of internalizing the bad and externalizing the good, and how to flip that script - Why clothes not fitting is never about your body and always about the garment - Dopamine dressing and how color can genuinely shift your mood and energy - The ripple effect of dressing authentically and how being true to your own style gives other women permission to do the same Resources and people mentioned: - Jess Quinn, previous guest on The Style Project podcast, discussed dopamine dressing - Nat Cutler Welsh event, where Caitlin and Nat first met - Monique Doi, referenced in relation to the phrase wearing your personality Chapters (00:00:07) - The Style Project(00:01:12) - Natasha on The Star Project(00:01:34) - Nat Toller And The Jumpsuit(00:03:12) - What's Your Style?(00:06:44) - The Secret to Personal Style(00:10:34) - Confessions of a Weight Watcher(00:14:56) - What Would I Tell My 21-Year Old Self?(00:16:18) - "Your body isn't enough to give birth!"(00:20:46) - Stylist on Fashion and Body Image(00:24:16) - Be Real With Your Fashion(00:27:25) - Beefcake on Social Media(00:31:20) - What a Psychology Degree Does For Your Life Coaching(00:32:22) - Kat on Self-Esteem and Style

    36 min

  6. 04/07/2020

    Olympian Ana Wilcox

    In this episode of The Style Project, host Caitlin Taylor, a style coach and personal stylist, sits down with Anna, a former Olympic skier turned sports reporter for Sky TV's The Crowd Goes Wild. Together they explore how personal style evolves through major life transitions, the connection between body image and self-expression, and what it means to dress authentically in a world that constantly pushes conformity. - How Anna's style shifted from her competitive skiing career through retirement, weight changes, and life in Europe - The relationship between body confidence and the freedom to experiment with personal style - Navigating workplace dress codes while staying true to your own identity - Why finding your "style personality" makes getting dressed easier every day - The impact of social media on body image, especially for younger generations - Why unfollowing accounts that make you feel bad about yourself is one of the most powerful things you can do - The problem with photoshopping and image manipulation versus celebrating real, diverse bodies - Anna's plans to get married at a music festival and what that says about owning who you are Resources and People Mentioned: - Jess Quinn, body image advocate and previous podcast guest - Cassie Rohmer, previous podcast guest - Amber Peebles, mentioned in discussion around strong bodies - Sofia Vergara, referenced as an example of owning your signature style - Hillary Barry, New Zealand television presenter praised for shutting down style critics - Taylor Swift's Netflix documentary, referenced in discussion about body image pressures - Splore Music Festival, venue for Anna's upcoming wedding - Flamingo Pier Music Festival, venue for Anna's hen party - Megan Rose, body-positive social media creator (account name unconfirmed in transcript) - ChasingKate.com, Caitlin Taylor's website for styling packages and memberships Chapters (00:00:07) - The Style Project(00:01:00) - I Got Engaged(00:02:05) - 3 Words That Describe Your Personal Style(00:03:47) - Aries Have A Favorite Thing To Wear(00:06:50) - Your style on TV(00:08:50) - The Real Jess on Lorraine(00:10:57) - Katie on her body and her style(00:14:33) - Tamzin on Shifting Weight(00:18:24) - What Should I Wear For My Eyes?(00:20:14) - Dancing with the Stars star reveals her style(00:23:29) - Jennifer Lopez on Being Comfortable With Her Body(00:24:38) - The Real Kiwi(00:29:47) - "Girls Should Be Able to Wear Their Costume!"(00:30:14) - What Would You Tell Your 15 Year Old Self About Body Image?(00:34:45) - Melissa on body image(00:39:24) - Jessie On Her Personal Style(00:41:50) - Unfollowing Bad People(00:45:39) - My Wedding(00:49:12) - How to Plan Your Wedding

    52 min

  7. 03/20/2020

    Justine Shera: My Balance Project

    In this episode of The Style Project, host Caitlin Taylor, a style coach and personal stylist based in Auckland, sits down with Justine, the creator of My Balance Project, to talk about body image, self-worth, mindset, and the role personal style plays in confidence and everyday life. - How Justine lost 35 kilos in 11 months through mindset shifts rather than dieting - The emotional breaking point that became the catalyst for Justine's transformation - Why self-forgiveness is the foundation of any lasting personal change - The concept of "body neutrality" versus body positivity and why it matters - How confidence and personal style are deeply connected, regardless of size - The problem with the phrase "real women" in body positivity conversations - Why society needs broader, more genuine diversity in advertising and media - Practical advice for rewriting your internal narrative and making one small change at a time Chapters (00:00:07) - The Style Project(00:01:30) - Meet My Balance Project(00:02:40) - I'm Very Girly(00:04:22) - 3 parts of your body that you feel the most confident about(00:07:28) - Katie's Change in Personal Style(00:09:36) - How I Lost the Weight at 40(00:14:21) - Victoria's Secret Model on Normalizing Body Image(00:18:12) - Real Women Are All Real(00:22:59) - "Life Is the Journey, Not the Destination(00:23:58) - The Real Me: Sometimes I Struggle With Body positivity(00:29:24) - Stylist: Don't Focus On Your Appearance(00:31:08) - What Would I Tell My 15 Year Old Self?(00:35:36) - Katie on Body positivity(00:39:01) - What's One Piece of Advice for People Struggling With Body(00:44:06) - How to get out of your funk(00:46:14) - Katie's message for self-love

    48 min

  8. 02/04/2020

    Media Personality Amber Peebles

    In this episode of The Style Project, host and style coach Caitlin Taylor sits down with Amber Peebles, former Miss New Zealand and TV presenter, for an honest and uplifting conversation about body image, self-kindness, and the relationship between personal style and self-worth. - Amber describes her personal style as feminine, masculine, and classic, and explains how finding your own three-word style personality helps cut through the noise - Why denim jeans are almost every woman's wardrobe staple and what that says about personal expression - How Amber went from yo-yo dieting to genuine body peace through mindset shifts and personal responsibility - The moment a comedian tried to insult Amber's appearance on camera and why it simply did not land - How your internal dialogue directly shapes the way you present yourself to the world - The link between self-kindness and the freedom to fully own your personal style - Why the people around you are far too focused on their own insecurities to be judging yours - How society is shifting toward body acceptance and what each of us can do to move that conversation forward Resources and people mentioned: - Jess Quinn, New Zealand model and body positivity advocate - Taryn Brumfitt and the Body Image Movement - Embrace, documentary by Taryn Brumfitt - Remix Magazine - ChasingKate.com (Caitlin Taylor's styling packages, online membership, and group workshops) Chapters (00:00:07) - The Style Project(00:01:12) - Amber on the Fashion Code(00:03:17) - The Three Words That Describe Your Style(00:04:51) - 15 People Reveal Their Favorite Clothing(00:07:07) - How Do You Feel About Your Body?(00:11:39) - You're In Your Own Style(00:14:10) - Have there been any significant events in your life that have changed your(00:16:33) - What Would I Tell My 15 Year old Self About Body Love?(00:22:07) - No One Is Judging You(00:24:51) - Don't Let People Criticise Your Body(00:30:11) - Katie on Self-Esteem(00:31:14) - The Body-Love Movement(00:33:52) - Interview

    35 min

  9. 01/06/2020

    Maria Foy: Happy Mum Happy Child

    In this episode of The Style Project, host and style coach Caitlin Taylor sits down with Maria Foy, parenting blogger behind Happy Mum Happy Child, for an honest and uplifting conversation about body image, personal style, and the journey toward self-acceptance. Together they explore how the clothes we wear are deeply tied to how we feel about ourselves, and why learning to dress for the body you have right now is more powerful than waiting until you feel "ready." - The concept of a "style personality" and how three simple words can transform the way you shop and get dressed - How becoming a mother and receiving a celiac disease diagnosis reshaped Maria's relationship with her body and her wardrobe - The difference between your comfort zone, your stretchy zone, and your terror zone when it comes to personal style - Why dressing to highlight your best features is more effective than dressing to hide the parts you dislike - The inner monologue women have about their bodies and why it is far harsher than anything anyone else is thinking - How teaching children self-acceptance and body confidence from a young age creates a ripple effect for future generations - The pressure women feel on social media and the importance of creating positive, judgment-free online spaces - Why accepting your body at every stage is not the same as giving up on change Resources and People Mentioned: - Happy Mum Happy Child blog by Maria Foy - Jess Quinn, model and advocate for diversity in fashion and advertising - Chasing Kate Style Coach on Facebook and Instagram - ChasingKate.com for personal styling packages, online membership, and group workshops in Auckland Chapters (00:00:07) - The Style Project(00:01:58) - 3 Words That I Use to Describe My Clothes(00:03:43) - Jiggy Jeggings(00:04:35) - Do You Care About Your Body?(00:08:18) - Do You Feel Confident In Your Body?(00:10:56) - Has There Been Any Change In Your Body Image?(00:13:03) - The Secret to Feeling Confident About Your Body(00:16:50) - What Would You Tell Your 15 Year Old Self About Personal Style?(00:21:17) - Baby's first dance(00:21:28) - Body Image and Personal Style(00:25:22) - Don't comment on other people's bodies(00:28:41) - The Secret To Dressing Well(00:31:42) - Caitlin on her body image(00:35:46) - "I Feel Pressure About What I Wear"(00:36:37) - Chasing Kate's New Year's Resolution(00:40:16) - Katie on the Style Project

    42 min

  10. 11/08/2019

    Danika Revell: The Period Place

    This episode was originally recorded in Nov 2019 In this debut episode of The Style Project, host and style coach Caitlin Taylor sits down with her close friend Danika Revill, co-founder of period charity The Period Place and mother of two, for an honest and refreshing conversation about body image, personal style, and what it really means to feel at home in your own skin. - How Danika's body changed after coming off the pill and navigating two pregnancies, and how she learned to embrace it - Why clothing size is irrelevant when you understand how you want clothes to fit and feel - The unexpected style shifts that come with motherhood, including a newfound love of florals and comfort - How changing your hair can unlock a whole new relationship with your wardrobe - The link between dressing to hide and the tall poppy culture unique to New Zealand - Why we need to stop negative self-talk and start identifying the parts of our bodies we love - How society and brands can do more to show truly diverse bodies, not just traditionally beautiful ones - The importance of raising children of all genders with open conversations about bodies, style, and self-worth Chapters (00:00:07) - The Style Project(00:01:04) - Meet The Fashion Guru(00:02:16) - Mum's Style(00:04:01) - The Secret to Filling Your Clothes After Pregnancy(00:08:23) - How Karen Walker dresses for personal style(00:10:12) - Pregnant Mum's Style Changes(00:16:05) - What Your Body Is Like(00:18:17) - Tamariki on body diversity(00:22:47) - The Real Story of Body Image(00:27:21) - The Period Place

    29 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

The Style Project is a podcast for women who know something needs to change, they just need help figuring out what. Hosted by Caitlin Taylor, Auckland-based personal stylist and founder of Caitlin Taylor Stylist, each episode is a real, honest conversation about style, confidence and identity. Expect solo episodes where Caitlin shares practical styling advice, and guest conversations with women who have something worth hearing. No trends, no fluff, just real talk about dressing the woman you are right now.

Information