Fast Fashion Isn’t Style: Redefining Ethical Dressing with Justine Leconte
In this episode of Style POV, I sit down with fashion designer and YouTube creator Justine Leconte to explore what it really means to build a sustainable wardrobe—beyond linen dresses and neutral palettes.Born in Paris and now running her own ethical fashion label, Justine has amassed over a million subscribers on YouTube thanks to her smart, accessible take on slow fashion, thoughtful design, and what’s actually happening behind the scenes in the industry.We talk about her shift from fast fashion burnout to building a business grounded in integrity, the difference between “ethical” and “sustainable,” and how to spot the marketing traps brands often hide behind. Justine also shares practical, clear-eyed advice on how to start your own ethical style journey—without needing to toss your entire closet.If you're curious about fashion with more purpose and less pressure, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Show Notes: https://gabriellearruda.com/fast-fashion-isnt-style-redefining-ethical-dressing-with-justine-leconte/Where to Find Justine:YouTube: @justineleconteJustine Leconte BrandTikTok: @justine_leconteInstagram: @justinelecontehttps://www.justineleconte.com/timelessTimestamps01:45 – About Justine03:47 – Defining what “Sustainable” really means04:33 – What it means to be “Ethical”08:27 – A reality check12:59 – Discovering your authentic style or following trends?16:50 – Two-week seasons with Fast Fashion garments20:22 – Question sustainability claims23:28 – Sustainability as a value point25:21 – The sustainable production phase28:24 – The realization that started the journey to sustainability32:54 – Secondhand shopping the right way35:14 – The I-Can’t-Afford-It Argument37:04 – Buying fast fashion is charitable? 41:16 – Sewing as a dying art42:41 – Top tip to get started with sustainability46:04 – Parson’s BuddiesFollow me❤️ blog → https://gabriellearruda.com/ podcast → https://www.stylepovpodcast.com youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign facebook group→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/gabriellearruda instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellearrudadesign? pinterest → https://www.pinterest.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ email → gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com Disclaimer: The Style POV Podcast content is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Gabrielle Arruda is not liable for any errors or omissions, and listeners use the information at their own risk.
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48:30
Style Wisdom: Real Stories and Advice from Listeners Like You
In this episode of the Style POV, I’m doing something a little different. Instead of sitting down with a guest, I’m sharing a collection of voices from within the community—listeners and style seekers just like you—who’ve generously offered up their personal reflections and turning points on the journey of getting dressed.These aren’t polished style formulas or one-size-fits-all answers. They’re honest, intimate stories about learning to see yourself more clearly, letting go of what no longer fits, and leaning into the outfits—and moments—that feel the most like you.Between each voice, I offer gentle reflections to connect the dots, not to explain or solve, but to honor what’s shared and highlight the everyday wisdom in it. We talk about the messy middle of personal style, what it means to trust your gut, and how sometimes the most meaningful shifts come quietly.If you’ve ever felt stuck in your style, unsure of where to go next, or just needed a reminder that no one has it all figured out—this episode is here to help you feel a little more rooted in your own process.Full Show Notes: https://gabriellearruda.com/style-wisdom-real-stories-and-advice-from-listeners-like-you/{show notes has Iris Van Herpen dress reference and referenced videos}Dream Style VideoChapters:01:40 – Identify what truly inspires you6:51 – Circle back to who you really are9:07 – Be comfortable with being seen10:52 – Being seen isn’t always easy13:30 – Embrace the messy middle in your style journey15:12 – Let go of perfectionism17:28 – We are stars and we need to shine19:58 – Style is how we process who we’ve become22:29 – Staying true to yourselfFollow me❤️ blog → https://gabriellearruda.com/ podcast → https://www.stylepovpodcast.com youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign facebook group→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/gabriellearruda instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellearrudadesign? pinterest → https://www.pinterest.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ email → gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com Disclaimer: The Style POV Podcast content is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Gabrielle Arruda is not liable for any errors or omissions, and listeners use the information at their own risk.
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22:59
Anastasia Souris on Timeless Style, Vintage Denim, and Personal Evolution
In this episode of the Style POV, I sit down with Anastasia Souris—better known as the Denim Curator—to talk about how she’s turned a lifelong love of denim into a signature style that’s both personal and deeply considered.With a background in marketing and PR for brands like Victoria’s Secret, Steve Madden, and Michael Kors, Anastasia brings an editorial eye to everything she wears. We chat about how her career shaped her style, what drew her to vintage denim in the first place, and why finding the perfect pair of jeans is often more about patience than perfection.She shares how her Denim Edit series became a go-to resource for fashion lovers, and how she uses storytelling, craftsmanship, and a sense of self to guide what she wears. We also get into wedding planning, community accountability in fashion, and the ongoing tug-of-war between trends and gut instinct.If you’ve ever wanted to shop more intentionally—or simply understand what makes denim so iconic—this conversation is full of tips, stories, and inspiration.Where To Find Anastasia: Instagram: @anastasiasourisTikTok: @anastasia.sourisSubstack: @anastasiasourisanastasiasouris.komi.ioFull Show Notes: https://gabriellearruda.com/anastasia-souris-on-timeless-style-vintage-denim-and-personal-evolution/Timestamps01:21 – The Journey from Marketing and PR03:17 – Personal Style as your Personal Brand06:07 – Inspired by the Classics09:20 – Finding the Perfect Pair of Jeans11:29 – A Lesson in Patience: Vintage Hunting15:01 – Current Style Philosophy17:49 – Fashion Accountability to the Community20:28 – Wedding Planning24:28 – Start with What You Have29:06 – Following Trends or Trusting Your Gut?31:52 – Tips for Finding Vintage Levi's37:10 – What’s in Anastasia’s CartFollow me❤️ blog → https://gabriellearruda.com/ podcast → https://www.stylepovpodcast.com youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign facebook group→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/gabriellearruda instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellearrudadesign? pinterest → https://www.pinterest.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ email → gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com Disclaimer: The Style POV Podcast content is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Gabrielle Arruda is not liable for any errors or omissions, and listeners use the information at their own risk.
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36:46
Style Value Levers: Why You Feel Overwhelmed Getting Dressed
In this solo episode, I’m breaking down a concept I come back to again and again with clients: style value levers.These are the core priorities—comfort, creativity, sustainability, price point, and more—that silently shape our wardrobes. And when we try to push all of them to 100%, we end up overwhelmed, disconnected, and still not loving what we wear.This episode isn’t just about figuring out what matters to you stylistically. It’s about giving yourself permission to focus on the few values that actually move the needle for you right now.I’ll share:What style value levers are and how they subtly guide your choicesWhy personal style systems like color analysis or Kibbe sometimes miss the markWhat happened when I embraced my Bright Spring palette and let go of outdated beliefsA challenge to help you clarify your top 2–3 levers and actually use them while shoppingThis one’s for anyone who’s ever stood in front of a full closet and felt like nothing was right—not because it was wrong, but because it wasn’t aligned.Mentioned in this episode:Seasonal color analysisStyle systems (like Kibbe)The role of trends vs. personal alignmentMy personal shift into Bright Spring & essence workRita's Style Keys InterviewThanks for listening to Style POV. If this episode resonated, share it with a friend or leave a quick review—it helps others find the show.Full Show Notes: gabriellearruda.com/what-are-your-style-value-leversFollow me❤️ blog → https://gabriellearruda.com/ podcast → https://www.stylepovpodcast.com youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign facebook group→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/gabriellearruda instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellearrudadesign? pinterest → https://www.pinterest.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ email → gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com Disclaimer: The Style POV Podcast content is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Gabrielle Arruda is not liable for any errors or omissions, and listeners use the information at their own risk.
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30:21
Style as Language: The Transformation and Identity behind Fashion with Rachel Hills
In this episode of Style POV, I sit down with journalist Rachel Hills to explore how personal style can be both a tool for self-expression and a form of self-transformation.You’ve seen Rachel’s work in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The New York Times—and in our chat, she shares the early influences that shaped her style and how it’s evolved into something that holds both power and connection.We dive into her behind-the-scenes experiences at some of fashion’s most iconic shows, her thoughts on the rise of "it girls", and what today’s TikTok-driven trends say about how we dress. Rachel also opens up about navigating the balance between novelty and sustainability, and how AI is beginning to shift the way we think about fashion.If you’ve ever wondered how the industry insiders see style—or what it looks like to define your look in a fast-moving world—this episode is one to press play on.Rachel's Companion Article: How We Dress for Power- and for EachotherFull Show Notes: https://gabriellearruda.com/style-as-a-tool-for-self-expression-and-self-transformation-with-rachel-hills/Where to Find Rachel:Heart Talk by Rachel Hills SubstackInstagram: @msrachelhillsLegacy Article Referenced { why every creator needs an archive-before it's too late}Rachel's Kibbe Article 00:00 – Intro To Rachel Hills, journalist 01:21 – In Love with Fashion but trend-resistant05:27 – Fashion as Expression or Transformation?06:04 – Using Fashion to Create Connections08:12 – TikTok Trends10:54 – The Era of Influencers14:04 – Democratizing Fashion15:37 – The Rise of “It Girls”24:40 – The Language of Fashion: A Gift or Learned?28:30 – Evolution of Fashion Shows30:27 – Building Your Fashion Legacy32:58 – Fashion and AI34:32 – Novelty vs Sustainability36:35 – Being Fashionable and Intellectual at the Same Time43:58 – Her Fashion Moment47:11 – Final Thoughts + ReflectionsFollow me❤️ blog → https://gabriellearruda.com/ podcast → https://www.stylepovpodcast.com youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriellearrudadesign facebook group→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/gabriellearruda instagram→ https://www.instagram.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellearrudadesign? pinterest → https://www.pinterest.com/gabriellearrudadesign/ email → gabrielle@gabriellearruda.com Disclaimer: The Style POV Podcast content is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own. Gabrielle Arruda is not liable for any errors or omissions, and listeners use the information at their own risk.
We are here to examine our relationships with style and aesthetics. The goal is to learn to trust our fashion instincts, develop a unique style POV, and find strength through style.
Ireland