Bespoke Tailor
I speak on executive presence, showing how the way women dress can communicate confidence, credibility and purpose before they say a word. In a 30-45 min talk I introduce 5 Lulu Stripe Style Archetypes - a practical toolkit that helps women design a work wardrobe for key career moments. My aim is to help women lead with intention, dress with confidence, and use style as a powerful professional advantage.
Book Ieva
Ieva Poriete discovered her passion for tailoring at an early age — long before she understood it would become her life’s work. As a child, she spread fabric across the floor, traced her own shape, and attempted to make a shirt from scratch. The result was far from perfect, but that early experiment sparked a fascination with fit, structure, and the transformative power of clothing.
What began with curiosity quickly became a calling. She immersed herself in dressmaking, creating garments for friends and family and learning firsthand how expertly made clothing can influence confidence, presence, and self-expression.
Determined to master her craft, Ieva studied Fashion Design at Southampton Solent University, where she refined both her technical skills and creative vision. In 2013, she opened her atelier on Eton High Street, serving discerning private clients who valued craftsmanship, elegance, and individuality.
It was there that she recognised a significant gap in the market: professional women were underserved when it came to modern, elegant tailoring designed for leadership and success. Many wanted to look polished and authoritative, yet still feel feminine, authentic, and comfortable.
That insight became the foundation of Lulu Stripe Ltd — a brand dedicated to helping women use style as a leadership strategy. Through bespoke guidance, executive wardrobe expertise, and her signature style frameworks, Ieva helps women dress with confidence, credibility, and purpose for the moments that matter most.
Her work has included styling for Theatre Royal Windsor and features in Hello! Magazine and Daily Mail Weekend. Yet her greatest passion remains working directly with women who want to elevate how they show up in business and in life.
Today, Ieva speaks on executive presence, women’s leadership, and the psychology of style — showing audiences that what we wear is never superficial; it is often the first expression of confidence, capability, and ambition.
How to use style as a leadership tool to establish executive presence for women. Expertise grows with time and after over a decade in bespoke fashion, I am equipped with expertise, continuous curiosity and enjoyment in seeing the clients through the process of having the clothes made for them and what a difference that makes to their confidence. In a 30 min talk, speaker unpacks why what we wear matters and how to use it as a leadership tool. I invite the audience to look at the bigger picture of the last 100 years to understand why women would struggle more than man to establish executive presence. We touch base on what inspired me to build Lulu Stripe tailoring brand and what Lulu stands for. In an urban legend Lulu is an extraordinary girl who has seen hard times but remains strong, kind and true. Lulu Stripe stands for style, strength and resilience, wether travelling alone on vital assignments or returning to work after maternity leave. Main message of the talk, how to use style as a leadership strategy, is the breakdown of 5 style archetypes that explain what to wear for key moments of the corporate career for women. We look at the overall look, fabrics, colours and what message it communicates and when to best wear it. For example Dress for Success is the classic corporate suit in black, navy or grey. It communicates authority, respect and credibility. Best worn for interviews, board meetings and moments when instant credibility matters. However Ranch Out is the relaxed leadership for travel days, casual Fridays and off-site days. Time to Transform is for the visual impact for stage, keynotes and storytelling. Vibrant colour makes the wearer feel energised and memorable. Takeaways for the audience, of women in leadership positions, is to learn how to use the five style archetypes as a toolkit to plan their own corporate wardrobe and understand the psychology of why what we wear matters.
Executive Presence for Women Style as a leadership strategy. How women who lead dress with confidence and purpose.
BBC broadcast
BBC One Songs of Praise
Southampton Solent University
