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