Finding Purpose and Confidence in Midlife Through Fashion

Kiya Tomlin is a visionary designer and apparel manufacturer known for blending comfort with style. She is the creative mind behind the Kiya Tomlin brand, offering a range from ready-to-wear to bespoke couture designs. Inspired by the active lifestyle she leads as the wife of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and as a mother, Kiya introduced her signature Impossible Dress in 2014, renowned for its ease and elegance. With her work rooted in her Pittsburgh-based factory, her collection is available online and in select boutiques across the country. Kiya also holds an NFL license, extending her fashion aesthetic to fans of the sport. Beyond her business endeavors, she's dedicated to philanthropy, contributing actively to multiple boards over the years.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode, Dr. Brooke and Dr. Lynne chat with Kiya Tomlin, renowned fashion designer and entrepreneur. The conversation captures Kiya's journey from a passionate seamstress to a celebrated designer recognized for her innovation in women's ready-to-wear fashion. Kiya shares her inspiring story of how her love for sewing since childhood evolved into a successful business founded on creating versatile, comfortable, and stylish clothing. Amidst juggling her responsibilities as a mother and supportive wife, she discovered an unmet need for women’s apparel, leading to the creation of her signature piece, the Impossible Dress, which combines runway glamour with the comfort of a sweatshirt.

Central to the discussion is the theme of "Invisible Woman Syndrome," which many women experience as they transition through midlife. Kiya emphasizes the importance of feeling seen and valued, sharing insights on how fashion can empower women by improving confidence and self-expression. She discusses the gap in the market for midlife women who seek clothing that is youthful yet appropriate, echoing concerns over limited media representation of aging women. Through her brand, Kiya aspires to champion diversity and inclusivity. Supporting the community, advocating lifelong learning, and embracing leadership roles are explored as key strategies for women to reclaim relevance and purpose during life after kids.

Key Takeaways:

• Invisible Woman Syndrome: Kiya draws attention to the feeling of invisibility many women face as they age and how this can be counteracted.


• Passion to Purpose: Follow what you love to do; it can naturally guide you to opportunities that fill market needs.


• Confidence through Comfort: When you dress comfortably, you feel confident, and that confidence is the essence of beauty.


• Embrace Lifelong Learning: Continuing to seek growth, whether through career or hobbies, is vital for self-evolution and maintaining relevance.


• Media Representation: Kiya advocates for diverse representation of women of all ages in media to challenge stereotypes and empower aging women.

Resources:

• Kiya Tomlin Website: kiyatomlin.us


• Kiya Tomlin on Instagram: @KiyaTomlin


• Kiya Tomlin on Facebook: @KiyaTomlin


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Timestamp	Summary
0:00	Kia Tomlin's Journey From Fashion Passion to NFL License
4:11	Kia Tomlin's Journey from Custom Designer to Fashion Entrepreneur
8:38	Finding Passion and Purpose Through Creative Self-Care
10:58	Kia Tomlin's Journey to Building a Flexible Business
15:20	Empowering Women Through Custom and Ready-to-Wear Fashion
16:31	Overcoming the Invisible Woman Syndrome Through Fashion and Confidence
23:45	Challenging Ageism in Fashion and Media Representation
26:07	Embracing Aging and Fashion for Confidence and Role Modeling
30:00	Designing Fashion for Diverse Body Types and Market Gaps
35:38	Quizzes for Moms and Body Types on Kia's Website
37:01	Empowering Women to Reclaim Visibility and Purpose
39:58	Embracing Life After Kids Through Activities and Community Engagement
43:33	Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Embracing New Challenges
45:08	Kia Tomlin's Journey of Growth, Fashion, and Adventure
49:29	Parenting Older Kids with Trust and Expectations
52:36	Fashion Tips and Discounts from Kia Tomlin

 

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