#UncommonInfluence
"Tied together by our love of fashion and our desire to make a difference, we are influencers who believe in the power of clothing and its ability to transform the way a woman sees herself. We love sharing our looks on social media, and now we are sharing some of our personal pieces with you! You can shop our closets and know that every purchase goes directly back to Uncommon Threads to support and empower economically-disadvantaged women. It’s truly shopping for good!"
Dina Aronson
Dina is the founder of Patina, a lifestyle blog that covers fashion and style as well as a wide array of topics and issues that impact women moving into midlife and beyond.
Dina is thrilled to be a part of #UncommonInfluence, because she believes so deeply in the transformative power of fashion. “Working with Uncommon Threads is the perfect way to blend my love of fashion and styling with my passion for helping to uplift and empower women in need.”
Elan Bongiorno
Celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert Elan Bongiorno is a standout in the beauty industry. Her clients include Eva Longoria, Roselyn Sanchez, Victoria Beckham, and Kerry Washington. Elan believes in the power of makeup to not only transform one’s features but also one's confidence and attitude.
She is not only passionate about her professional work, but also equally devoted to giving back by volunteering her expertise to help women in need feel confident and gorgeous inside and out!
Lisa Cooper
@evolvingover50
Evolving50 is about sharing tips for the ageless woman. Lisa enjoys creatively sharing information about skincare, makeup, lifestyle, wellness, and fashion so that any woman can feel her best.
“It’s about sharing, trying new things, and community. I want all women to feel capable, confident, and be the best that they can be”.
Stacie Hamilton
Stacie is a mom and grandma whose style is casual. She loves pairing jeans with a trendy top most days and loves a girly feminine dress too!
She has always been into health (a retired occupational therapist) and self-care, which led her to sharing her beauty and lifestyle tips on her blog and Instagram.
Tracy Lee Harris
After a lifetime of wishing for a smaller frame to fit into all the amazing fashion she grew up surrounded by, Tracy made a major pivot when she turned 50 by embracing her size and her age. She moved to New York City to embark on a career as a curvy, mature model and has done print, television, and runway work.
Tracy loves learning from and connecting with other women, appreciating their openness, power and drive. She hopes to empower other women of all sizes and ages to embrace their unique beauty as well.
Susan Kanoff
Susan founded Uncommon Threads, a nationally-featured nonprofit that empowers low-income women, out of her unique mix of experience and skills as a social worker, wardrobe stylist and style blogger. She has been featured in Boston and national press and is a strong voice encouraging women to own their power at every age.
Susan’s style is “chameleon” as it changes daily depending on her mood. Her motto is “kindness makes the world go round."
Diane Komodromos
As the youngest girl in a family of 8 children, Diane grew up sharing clothes with her four sisters from a communal closet. “I’ll never forget how I felt when I finally had an outfit of my own that fit me perfectly and felt like me, not my older sister! I understood in that moment the transformative power of clothing!”
Diane has always been a lover of fashion. She modeled in her 20’s and now enjoys sharing her style, a mix of classic chic with a twist of edgy rocker vibes, with others.
Jamie Lewinger
Fashion and lifestyle influencer, brand ambassador and international
traveler (44 countries and counting!), Jamie loves ALL forms of fashion and is always willing to try something new.
As a previous menswear buyer, vice president of an insurance brokerage and
jewelry designer, Jamie has first-hand knowledge of the power of
clothing and how it can transform your demeanor, attitude & confidence.
Shannon Mann
Shannon is the face and founder of Oysters to Pearls, a lifestyle blog with a focus on all things midlife: fashion, skincare and fun!!
Her love of fashion started at the young age of 12 when she worked in her family’s clothing store.
During her 30-year career as a court stenographer, she has encountered women from all walks of life and understands firsthand how clothing can impact someone’s confidence and success.
Lisa Tamagini
As a singer and voice teacher, Lisa is a story-teller by trade. She has always been fascinated by the tale that clothing tells about who we are, how we live and what we value. “I believe that style is a language of its own and that every woman deserves to write her own story that reflects her unique personal style.”
Lisa loves neutrals, modern and sleek shapes, and comfort is key. Effortless dressing formulas include pops of print and an occasional bright color!
Isabella Thorp
Isabella believes that confidence is the secret to looking great and that fashion is a powerful tool of influence. “How we define ourselves can be reflected by the outfit we put on. It’s also transformative when we consciously choose an outfit to project an image of ourselves to others."
Isabella loves fashion and enjoys being a fashion and lifestyle content creator. She likes to wear striking clothes and accessories that make a statement whether it be classic, creative, edgy, feminine, sexy or chic.
Nipa
As a teenager, Nipa started designing clothes with the dream of becoming a fashion designer. In her twenties she enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and earned her Associate Degree in Fashion Design. After working in fashion in New York City and Toronto, her life took a bit of a turn. In a whirlwind year, she got engaged, married, and pregnant, and realized that was time to leave the industry. She currently lives in Upstate New York on a hobby farm, with her husband, three kids and various animals.
In 2018 Nipa returned to her first passion and started the blog Fashionipa. She enjoys being able to teach her readers to enhance their personal style and natural beauty. Her goal is to help them build a closet of high-quality clothing and accessories that mix, match and cherish for years. “Fashion is an art. With a little time and practice, you can develop a personal style that brings you joy, boosts your confidence, and inspires others.”
Gwen Gottlieb
A lifestyle blogger, Gwen's Gwen Lives Well blog focuses on anything and everything attractive and important to savvy women of all ages, from fashion, wellness, food, travel, and more. Gwen’s all about ageless attitude mixed in with a little sass. Positive vibes only, please!
Lisa King
Lisa King is a pharmacist of over 30 plus years. She loves empowering women to feel their confident best through a healthy lifestyle.
She truly believes you can achieve your goals and dreams one step and one day at a time. She also loves supporting other women and is honored to be a part of #UncommonInfluence. When she isn’t sharing about health and wellness on her blog, she loves spending time with her family!
Theresa Pondok
Theresa is from the NY metro area and loves to share her ageless style and healthy lifestyle to others in the hopes of inspiring them. Her fashion style is always evolving and trying new things is what makes it fun!
Theresa is happy to be a part of #UncommonInfluence to support Uncommon Threads, as she truly believes that fashion can boost self image.
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Lisa Breckenridge
After decades as a newscaster, Lisa founded a new lifestyle business––Happily Lisa!
She brings all things ‘lifestyle’ into your home. From workout and beauty tips, to fashion and inspiration…not to mention her family’s favorite meals and latest restaurants. There you will find the perfect balance of glitz, glamour and grunge. Plus, you'll explore cool travel spots together.
Elisa Ellis
How you show up for yourself can affect and determine how others show up for you. Elisa Ellis is a wardrobe stylist, speaker, best selling author, and online course creator.
Elisa isn’t interested in trends – she is incredibly passionate about helping her clients look and feel their very best and works with them to go from frustrated to fabulous by replacing outdated outfits with timeless pieces that can be easily coordinated to wear for any occasion.
She believes personal styling is more than a wardrobe haul, it’s a total transformation that introduces you to your inner awesomeness. The person that’s confident, effortlessly stylish, and takes more risks for their dreams.
View Elisa's blog here.
Rosemary Viramontes
"When you look good, you feel good. Feeling good about yourself opens the door to self-empowerment." Rosemary enjoys helping others see their full potential through encouragement, motivation, self-discovery, and self-empowerment. Her careers have included career counseling, life coaching, economic/workforce development, and makeup artist/esthetician. Although retired from her career as a leader and innovator of workforce development programs for city government, she currently works on consulting projects. She serves on a few community and education institution Boards. She also enjoys being a grandmother of 9, traveling, exploring new places, reading, continuous self-development/growth, writing poetry, and wine tasting.
Rosemary believes that helping women feel good about themselves also includes the aging journey. "Aging can be beautiful as well as fun!" She loves everything fashion, beauty, skincare, and new experiences – she is always on the go! She loves supporting Uncommon Threads and is working on developing a chapter in California in the community where she grew up.
Candy Costas
Candy Costas is a woman who embraces each day with style, confidence, and positivity! As a registered nurse and co-owner of a private nursing company that spans five states, she travels for business on a regular basis. To all that cross her path, she is recognized for her standout style, her commitment to fitness, and her joie de vivre.
The joy and value of dressing well - for men and women alike - has been a passion and conviction of Candy’s since she was old enough to hold a Barbie doll! She likes a variety of styles from classic to sexy/edgy and believes that ‘when the sun goes down, the heels go up.’ At the age of 65, Candy truly lives her Instagram mantra: Work hard. Play hard. Enjoy every day.
Lauren Dimet Waters
The co-founder of a leading fashion and beauty destination for women who are confident in their own skin (but want that skin to age backwards), Lauren has been the editor-in-chief of Fountain of 30 since its inception in 2005.
Designed for women over 50 who feel 30 — and will do whatever it takes to keep looking and feeling that way, Fountain of 30 and its accompanying “Beauty is a Bitch” podcast and “Growing Younger” Facebook Group aim to help women of discerning tastes look and feel 30 for as long as they can, without looking ridiculous.
I want to inspire women to control the aspects of aging that are within our control. It’s time for us to change the narrative around aging. We are NOT the Golden Girls.
Catherine Grace O'Connell
@Fountainof30
I am honored to join the Uncommon Influence Team as I am a huge admirer of Susan and her visionary gifts with the creation of Uncommon Threads. I’ve been fortunate to spend an entire day at her nonprofit boutique while helping to style and boost the confidence of deserving women in need. Watching the joy and happiness experienced by these women is something I’ll never forget.
I love fashion. It’s woven into my DNA. Fashion is a powerful medium to share my message of Age Positivity. At 62, my mission is to assist women at Midlife & Beyond to Master Modern Midlife or “MODLife” by believing in themselves to create the life of their dreams.
Susan and I share a common connection working to overcome severe illness. I almost lost my life to late stage Lyme Disease several years ago. I am grateful for my 30 plus years of studying and mastering the inner world that was the key to saving my voice. I’m known as the “Inside-Out” girl, as I truly believe that our true power comes from within.
I love fashion and as it is the most beautiful medium for personal self expression. I’m ready to use my influence to help Susan and the Uncommon Influence Team rock this life changing mission!
Follow Catherine here.
Gretchen Zelek
Gretchen is a Certified Group Fitness Instructor and Functional Aging Specialist who lives in Santa Monica CA and East Dennis MA. Her goal is to help you live, laugh and learn as you rediscover your fitness, health and lifestyle goals. Her articles have been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Oxygen, AARP, Ageist and Livestrong and she has presented at many fitness conventions about the proper tools to train and coach people over 50.
Gretchen is honored to be part of #UncommonInfluence to support Uncommon Threads as she truly believes service to others is integral to healthy aging and beneficial for your body, mind and soul. She lives by her motto "Let’s get up and go! "
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Deborah Sorlie
Deborah Sorlie is a personal stylist who is passionate about helping women in midlife look their best. With her background as a Nordstrom fashion show coordinator, personal shopper, and special events coordinator, she has gained extensive experience in the fashion industry. Her degree in Art Education has also enhanced her style abilities as she learned about colors, textures, and other artistic elements. With over 30 years of experience as a fashion advisor, Sorlie believes that a style consult should be insightful, progressive, and fun. She offers virtual wardrobe assistance, keeping her clients updated on the latest trends and showing them how to wear them.
Janet Gunn
Janet is a Texas born and raised lifestyle blogger located in Los Angeles. She was a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, flight attendant, Hollywood actor, jewelry designer, wife, mom, and now an influencer! She is passionate about encouraging women to feel alive, inspired, and empowered at any age.
Janet lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and fur baby Buster.
Kim Cook
Kim encourages women to embrace midlife and to live fully. Her blog and Instagram page focuses on women's health, wellness, style and beauty.
Megan Saustad
Megan Saustad is the founder of TRULY MEGAN, a lifestyle, fashion and beauty blog.
Megan is a fashion loving, beauty & skincare obsessed, family woman who believes true beauty comes from within and the best accessory a woman can wear is confidence.
Through her digital influence, Megan has built an online community through authentic living, honest reviews and recommendations. Her goal is to help midlife women look and feel their best from the inside, out.
After spending 20+ years as a personal stylist, Megan shifted her focus to full time content creation.
Megan describes her style as elegant with an edge and loves to wear classic, feminine, sophisticated styles, with a new trend.
She lives in Dallas with her husband and two beautiful persian cats.