Finding Purpose and Confidence in Midlife Through Fashion

12/15/24 • 55 min

Life after Kids with Drs. Brooke and Lynne

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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Episode Summary:

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
Promotion Code: life20 for 20% off your purchase

Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code AFTERKIDS to get UP TO $300 off! AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, plus a 3-year
warranty—an $84 value, free!

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Receive 20% OFF any AquaTru purifier! Go to Aqu...

Previous Episode

Favorite Things Episode: Unique Gift Ideas for the Holidays

In this special holiday episode of Life after Kids, Dr. Brooke and Dr. Lynne dive into the spirit of the season with their beloved "Favorite Things" episode. With enthusiasm, they introduce their curated list of gifts, from luxurious yet affordable fashion finds to unique culinary delights, perfect for filling wish lists or delighting friends and family. Dr. Lynne and Dr. Brooke focus on the joy of giving and receiving, with an emphasis on items that bring beauty and happiness without breaking the bank.

Key Takeaways:

Gift Ideas Variety: Dr. Brooke and Dr. Lynn offer a diverse range of gift ideas suitable for different personalities and tastes, from clothing and skincare to specialty kitchen items.
Practicality and Affordability: The products featured, while luxurious, are also accessible, proving that elegance and practicality can coexist without a high price tag.
Personalization in Gifting: Emphasizing the power of an unexpected and unique gift, such as high-quality olive oil or personalized travel jewelry cases, showcases creativity in thoughtfulness.
Embracing Simplicity and Joy: The conversation highlights the importance of simplicity, joy, and treating oneself, alongside caring for others during the holiday season.
Treasured Traditions: Incorporating small traditions like keeping a five-year journal adds depth and sentimentality to the gift-giving process.

Resources:

Book List
Favorite Things Christmas Gift List
PJ Cabos Olive Oil: A premium Greek olive oil known for its high polyphenol content.
Farmacy Green Clean: A notable brand offering a highly acclaimed makeup remover.
Orcatini's: Insulated martini tumblers for enjoying cocktails on the go.
Five-Year Journal: A unique journal for tracking daily life over five years, encouraging reflection and memory-making.
Personalized Jewelry Case
Body Suit

Explore the delightful array of gift ideas and engaging conversation in this episode. Dive into their favorite recommendations to find gifts that might surprise and charm, making this holiday season truly special. Stay tuned for more engaging talks and thoughtful insights from Life after Kids. Timestamp Summary 0:00 Favorite Things for the Holidays with Dr. Brooke and Lynn 3:45 Affordable Fashion Finds and Styling Tips from Amazon and Target 7:50 Unique Gift Ideas: Olive Oil and Skincare Products 10:51 Discovering Farmacy's Green Clean Makeup Remover 13:49 Unique Gift Ideas and Personal Favorites for Special Occasions 18:08 Cherishing Memories Through a Five-Year Journal 21:43 Gift Ideas: Books and Personalized Travel Jewelry Cases 26:13 Gift Ideas and Shopping Plans for the Holiday Season

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Next Episode

Ditch the Phone: How to Make Holidays More Meaningful with Grown Kids

Join Dr. Brooke and Dr. Lynne in this engaging episode of "Life After Kids" as they dive into the heart of holiday connections beyond the typical hustle and bustle. As they fondly reminisce about their family traditions and share heartfelt stories, they highlight the importance of making the holiday season a time of deeper connection—not just with children but also with older family members.

Amid laughter and personal anecdotes, Dr. Brooke and Dr. Lynne discuss how holidays have shifted in meaning as their children have grown. They emphasize the significance of fostering intentional conversations and integrating unique family traditions. This episode is filled with practical advice for creating lasting family memories, whether through simple traditions, capturing moments through photography, or introducing new family activities. Listen in to discover how you can transform this festive season into an unforgettable experience.

Key Takeaways:

Holidays present a unique opportunity to connect more deeply with family members of all ages.
Balancing traditional holiday experiences with novel ones can enhance family bonds.
Capturing moments through pictures is valuable but should not replace genuine connection and engagement with loved ones.
Simple yet intentional conversation starters during family gatherings can create meaningful dialogues and strengthen relationships.
Encouraging family members to dis connect from technology can facilitate more authentic interactions.

Don't miss this heartwarming episode filled with rich holiday insights and practical tips for strengthening family connections.

Timestamp Summary 0:00 Creating Meaningful Holiday Connections in a Modern World 5:33 Connecting Across Generations: Conversations with Parents and Teens 13:27 Capturing Memories and Finding Balance in Family Life 18:23 Creating Meaningful Holiday Memories Through Novel Experiences 27:03 Fostering Deeper Connections Through Intentional Conversations 30:23 Reviving Newfoundland's Mummering Tradition for Modern Holiday Fun 35:28 Finding Purpose and Community in The Grand Seduction

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warranty—an $84 value, free!

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