A Styled Life on Both Sides of the Camera with Gillean McLeod

Gillian McLeod on Styling, Starting Modeling at 52, and the H&M Swimsuit Ad That Changed EverythingDian Griesel interviews stylist-turned-model Gillian McLeod, who began styling after working for a clothing designer and running a kids’ clothing line, then spent 30 years in print advertising, joining a costumers union and building long-term crews with producers and photographers. Gillian describes the realities of styling on set, the need for flexibility, and how iPhones changed last-minute creative demands, along with the importance of staying in your lane on productions. She explains how she started modeling at 52 after stepping into a role on a shoot, then later went viral at 60 from an H&M swimsuit job shot with no hair or makeup, bringing both major media attention and harsh comments. Gillean discusses confidence, auditions, iconic campaigns, concerns about AI misuse of images, and advice for aspiring models to be themselves and build a strong portfolio.Please SUBSCRIBE! I’m Dian Griesel, Ph.D. aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here:   ⁠https://diangriesel.com⁠ But for starters…I am a perceptionist. For 30 years I have helped my clients to achieve greater understanding as to how perceptions impact everything we do whether personally or professionally."Raw, truth-driven conversations with fascinating guests — from business & psychology to careers, pop culture & the B.S. in between." Expect bold questions. Unfiltered insights. A few laughs. Real growth. Subscribe & Join the Conversation.Show Run: 00:00 Meet Gillian McLeod00:56 From Styling to Set Life04:17 How Styling Jobs Happen06:40 Union and Set Etiquette07:02 Starting Modeling at 5210:38 The H&M Swimsuit Moment14:23 Confidence and Auditions18:50 Campaign Stories and Transformations21:31 AI and Image Theft Fears26:10 Advice for New Models30:08 Wrap Up and Where to Follow