Amanda Wakeley: Style DNA

Siân Welby - Style DNA - Season 12

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the utterly charming TV presenter and radio host Sian Welby. From secretly filming presenting segments in the changing rooms of New Look as a teenager to appearing on a billboard in Times Square, Sian shares her brilliant journey into television, alongside the realities of juggling 4am starts, motherhood and a super hectic career Of course, we talk plenty of fashion… There are some hilarious fashion disasters along the way too, including the time Sian attempted to capture a behind-the-scenes perspective of the BAFTAs red carpet wearing a rather unfortunate pair of Snapchat glasses, only to find herself on a worst-dressed list… Thank you Sian for such a fun and fabulous conversation. ❤️

Val Garland - Style DNA - Season 12

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

Rosemary Ferguson - Style DNA - Season 12

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.

Tabitha Webb - Style DNA - Season 11

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.

Tanya Rose - Style DNA - Season 11

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

Olivia Rubin - Style DNA - Season 11

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

Sarah Jossel - Style DNA - Season 11

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with one of the UK's most respected beauty editors and broadcasters, the brilliant Sarah Jossel. We talk about her debut book Diary of a Beauty Editor, why beauty has never been about vanity for her, and how turning 40 has brought a new sense of confidence and resilience. Sarah speaks openly about growing up feeling self-conscious, learning to care less about other people's opinions, and discovering that confidence comes from feeling comfortable in your own skin. She also admits she's still finding her Style DNA, sharing how a recent stylist helped her embrace tailoring, cleaner silhouettes and colour in a whole new way. This is a conversation about beauty, confidence, style and learning to dress for yourself, not everyone else. Thank you Sarah for such an honest and inspiring conversation.

Mariella Frostrup - Style DNA - Season 11

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the broadcaster, journalist, author and passionate campaigner, the wonderful Mariella Frostrup. We talk about her tireless work to change the conversation around menopause, her latest books Cracking the Menopause and Menolicious, and why she believes women deserve better information and support. Stylistically, Mariella has embraced a wardrobe built around comfort, confidence and timeless tailoring. She also shares some brilliant stories — from turning up to a date with Iggy Pop in a green velvet unitard, to getting married on a landing craft off the coast of Panama wearing linen culottes and an Armani top. This is a conversation about confidence, individuality, ageing and finally learning to dress entirely for yourself. Thank you Mariella for such an honest and inspiring conversation.

Francesca Cumani - Style DNA - Season 11

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the British horse racing presenter, podcast host and quite possibly the chicest woman in any paddock, Francesca Cumani. From travelling the world covering horse racing’s biggest meetings to life at home in Yorkshire with three children, Francesca’s world is a fascinating blend of glamour and muddy wellies. We talk about her accidental journey into television, her love of horses, working with stylist Sarah Kate Byrne, and the impossibly chic Italian grandmother who shaped her approach to style and introduced her to the elegance of Giorgio Armani. This is a conversation about horses, heritage, timeless fashion and why buying less but better never goes out of style. Thank you Francesca for such a wonderful conversation x

Maria Hatzistefan - Style DNA - Season 11

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the founder and CEO of the Rodial beauty empire, entrepreneur, author and former Dragon’s Den investor, the fabulous Maria Hatzistefanis. Maria’s story begins on a tiny Greek island where, as a young girl, she spent her pocket money on fashion magazines, creating mood boards of the life she hoped to one day live. Decades later, she rediscovered them and realised she had become the woman she had imagined all those years ago. We talk about being fired from her banking job, launching Rodial 25 years ago, building a global beauty brand without outside investment, and the lessons behind her latest book How To Make Your First Million. Stylistically, Maria describes her Style DNA as restrained, elegant and sporty, favouring tailoring, monochrome dressing, beautiful overcoats and timeless pieces over trends. This is a conversation about ambition, resilience, personal style and building the life you once dreamed about. Thank you Maria for such an inspiring conversation x.

Simon Le Bon - Style DNA - Season 11

In this opening episode of Style DNA Season 11 I go on a style journey with my old friend the legendary Duran Duran frontman, the wonderfully charismatic Simon Le Bon. From their early days in Birmingham to global stadium tours, Simon has spent decades at the centre of music, fashion and pop culture. We talk about making his own punk clothes as a teenager, auditioning for Duran Duran in pearlescent pink Chelsea boots and leopard print drainpipes, the psychology of performing on stage, Savile Row tailoring, Japanese selvedge denim and why he once didn’t wash a pair of jeans for over ten years… This is a conversation about individuality, creativity and the enduring power of personal style. Thank you Simon for such a fascinating conversation x Duran Duran's new single Free To Love is out now. They headline London's BST Hyde Park on July 5th. Tickets for the full summer and autumn tours are at duranduran.com/tour.

Misse Beqiri - Style DNA - Season 10

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the model, television personality and entrepreneur the effortlessly chic Misse Beqiri. From building a career in modelling and television to stepping away from London to reset in Mallorca, she speaks openly about finding calm, clarity and strength in a new chapter. We talk about her return to Ladies of London, launching a marble interiors business with her sister, and the lessons she’s learnt along the way — including navigating public perception and personal challenges. Her style is rooted in comfort and confidence… strong, structured pieces balanced with an effortless Scandinavian ease. Thank you @missebequiri for being such an open and charming guest xx.

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Henry Holland - Style DNA - Season 10

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the extraordinary, eccentric and wonderfully joyful British designer and creative Henry Holland. From creating slogan t-shirts that “went viral” before social media even existed, to building House of Holland and now reinventing himself through ceramics and interiors — Henry’s career has been anything but conventional. What began as four t-shirts worn on nights out quickly turned into a global brand. We talk about his entrepreneurial instinct, the realities of running a fashion business, and the moment House of Holland came to an end — something he describes, surprisingly, as a release. Stylistically, Henry is bold, playful and entirely led by mood… dressing as a form of storytelling. This is a conversation about creativity, reinvention and knowing when it’s time to evolve. Thank you @henryholland for such an honest and inspiring conversation xx

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Carmen Haid - Style DNA - Season 10

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the vintage curator, brand consultant and founder of ATELIER MAYER, the wonderfully elegant and eclectic Carmen Haid. Carmen has spent her career in the world of luxury fashion, beginning at Yves Saint Laurent before following her instinctive love of vintage — long before it became the movement it is today. She tells me she doesn’t follow trends… and yet somehow always anticipates them. Drawn to pieces with history, craftsmanship and soul, her approach to fashion is entirely intuitive. Her stories of sourcing are extraordinary… from discovering a Paul Poiret coat in a crumbling house to uncovering couture treasures across the world. These are not just clothes, but pieces of history. This is a conversation about sustainability, individuality and the magic of clothes that have lived a life before us. Thank you for such a wonderful conversation @carmenhaid xx

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Ian Griffiths - Style DNA - Season 10

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the British fashion designer and Creative Director of Max Mara, the thoughtful and incredibly humble Ian Griffiths. Ian has spent more than three decades shaping the aesthetic of one of Italy’s most iconic fashion houses. Although proudly British, he has lived in Italy for many years and jokes that he has become an “Italian version of an Englishman” … embracing Savile Row elegance with a touch of Italian flair. We talk about his unexpected route into fashion, the influence of literature and philosophy on his work, and why the coat has become one of the most powerful garments in a woman’s wardrobe. Ian believes great clothes should empower the woman wearing them rather than overpower her … pieces that enhance a woman’s life rather than compete with it… This is a conversation about culture, creativity and the quiet power of timeless style. Thank you Ian, for such a thoughtful conversation… I loved it x

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Eshita Kabra-Davies - Style DNA - Season 10

In this episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the impressive founder and CEO of the fashion rental platform By Rotation, the brilliant Eshita Kabra-Davies. Eshita didn’t begin her career in fashion at all. She was working in investment management when the idea for By Rotation first came to her while planning her honeymoon — wishing she could access a beautifully curated wardrobe for each destination without having to buy everything. Today By Rotation has become one of the most exciting businesses in circular fashion, allowing women to share pieces from their wardrobes while encouraging a more thoughtful and sustainable approach to fashion. Eshita also speaks candidly about her early career in finance — including being criticised by another woman at work for expressing herself through fashion and being told she should “let her work do the talking”. A moment that ultimately reinforced her belief that style is an extension of identity. This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, sustainability, confidence and dressing with joy.

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Clym Evernden - Style DNA - Season 10

In this week’s episode of Style DNA, I go on a style journey with the brilliantly talented artist and illustrator Clym Evernden @clymdraws, whose hypnotic “unfolding” drawings have captivated millions. I first met Clym when I commissioned him to sketch portraits at my Albemarle Street store opening in Mayfair. Fast forward to today, and he has built a global following, working with some of the world’s leading luxury brands. He describes his work as offering a small moment of calm in a frenetic digital world, and it truly does. One of his recent festive films reached an extraordinary 42 million views… with a cumulative watch time of 22 years. From Central Saint Martins to discovering his signature ink brush line, this is a conversation about creativity, individuality, sustainability, and the quiet confidence of dressing for oneself.

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Hanushka Toni - Style DNA - Season 10

In this week’s episode of Style DNA I go on a style journey with the impressive founder and CEO of the ultra high-end resale platform Sellier, the brilliant Hanushka Toni. Hanushka didn’t set out to build one of the most talked-about luxury resale businesses in Europe. The story actually begins with her mother, Dina, who opened a tiny consignment boutique in Knightsbridge simply for the love of beautiful designer pieces. When Covid hit and the doors closed, Hanushka stepped in with nothing more than her iPhone… and started live-selling from the shop floor. Sellier now operates at the very top end of the resale market, with an average order value of around £3,500 per item — extraordinary by any e-commerce standard. We talk about the psychology of luxury handbags, the mystique of Hermès, the waiting lists, and why often a pre-loved Birkin can command more than its retail price… Hanushka admits to owning over 600 bags (yes, you read that right), including more than 150 by Hermès. She describes herself as a mood dresser — starting with colour and energy before selecting the perfect companion from her enormous collection… Hanushka has a wonderfully entrepreneurial side to her …she tells me about the inspiration for her newly launched “female intimate moisture melt”… genuinely clever! There is something incredibly honest about Hanushka. She speaks candidly about post-baby body confidence, about being prejudged in business, about dressing to project power — and about the moment, only a few years ago, when she truly discovered her own Style DNA. She certainly has a passion for fashion and the circularity of it. This is a conversation about ambition, image, luxury, reinvention… and the emotional power of a handbag.

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Clare Waight Keller - Style DNA - Season 10

This week on Style DNA I go on a style journey with the brilliant British British designer and creative director Clare Waight Keller — a woman whose career has quietly shaped modern fashion as we know it. From working with Calvin and then Ralph, to leading Chloé and Pringle to becoming the first female Artistic Director at Givenchy, where she reopened couture and designed the wedding gown for Meghan Markle - Clare’s career is nothing short of extraordinary. She now sits at the helm of women’s and menswear at Uniqlo, overseeing a $23 billion global business. We talk about being “given the keys” to Givenchy, immersing herself in Hubert de Givenchy’s archives, and the responsibility of reviving couture in a modern world. She shares what it felt like to meet him in Paris shortly before he passed away — a moment that clearly left its mark. Of course, we revisit the morning of the royal wedding — the precision, the pressure, the veil, the steps… no rehearsal, just instinct and absolute focus. But equally fascinating is Clare’s upbringing in Birmingham, learning to sew alongside her mother, sourcing fabrics from the local rag market, and how that early discipline shaped everything that followed. Her own Style DNA? “Tailored. Tonal. With a touch of femininity.” That tension between sharp structure and romantic softness feels very modern woman to me. We also discuss motherhood in a high-pressure industry, why there are still so few female creative directors, sustainability as longevity (not trend), and the power of a great coat — she owns over 60. Elegant, intelligent, generous and quietly measured — this is a conversation I absolutely loved. I hope you enjoy it.

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Yalda Hakim - Style DNA - Season 10

In this episode of Style DNA I have a fascinating conversation with the International News Anchor and Lead World News Presenter for Sky News Yalda Hakim. Yalda is an Afghan-born Australian broadcast journalist, Lead World News presenter for Sky News, and documentary maker. She was one of the chief presenters at BBC News broadcasting in English in the UK and globally. Known for her on-the-ground reporting and in-depth interviews, she has covered major global events from conflict zones including Gaza, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Darfur, as well as key political moments shaping world affairs. Her work is marked by access to high-level decision makers, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and a focus on bringing clarity and context to complex international stories. Born in Kabul and raised in Australia after leaving Afghanistan as a child refugee, Hakim has built a two-decade career in international journalism and documentary filmmaking. She is recognised for holding leaders to account while telling human stories behind global politics. Beyond broadcasting, she founded the Yalda Hakim Foundation, which supports education and mentorship opportunities for Afghan girls. Yalda offers so many insights about her style journey. She is very aware of the gravity of her ability to communicate the story accurately. I ask her about her thought process as to what she wears for specific interviews. She says she gravitates towards black as her power colour whereas many other journalists wear colour in the belief that they will stand out in the crowd. She tells me about learning to manage her emotions and getting in the zone before a massive broadcast which she generally does in her “safe space” the hair and makeup chair…once ready her ritual is to look in the mirror and tells herself “You have got this”… and watching her as much as I do on Sky News she absolutely does! I ask her who was the most intimidating person she has ever interviewed… the Dalai Lama who she says has so such a powerful presence…. What did she wear? A mustard velvet Dolce and Gabbana jacket which symbiotically toned with his His Holiness’s saffron robes. She says it was an instinctive decision…lovely. Her insights into the world of women in Afghanistan and the Taliban are fascinating… and truly sad particularly when told by an Afghan woman whose life is so different to what it could have been had her parents not taken the brave and bold decision to flee their homeland when they did. Yalda recalls that when Kabul fell, a heartbreaking moment, she reached out to a handful of powerful women to help get 1000 young women and girls evacuated. She singles out Tory Burch, who has a woman’s foundation, as someone who dug deep and engaged with the mission from start to end. Tory gifted Yalda a beautiful white jacket which is particularly precious as it reminds her of both the pain of the moment but also the power of the sisterhood to make a difference. We talk about her approach to sustainable fashion and she tells me that she did a piece on the Rana Plaza disaster and the precarious other sweat shops that she visited in the area. She has seen the impact of fast fashion up close …as she says “we need to think about why something might be only £6.00… why is it so cheap?”… clearly because the makers are not being paid a living wage. Unsurprisingly Yalda is fabulously eloquent and wonderfully open…Her words paint such powerful pictures of her extraordinary life … Thank you for allowing me to turn the tables and make you the interviewee Yalda…this conversation was a real privilege xx

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