Women Who Inspire Us; Leah Steiger on Creativity, Style, and Self-Expression

Leah Steiger inspires us because she doesn’t just create beautiful things, she brings out the beauty, individuality, and possibility in others.

Her repertoire spans styling, creative direction, art and the worlds of music and live production, where she brings imagination, determination, and soul to every project.

Whether she’s shaping a visual story, reimagining unexpected pieces, or helping artists and clients express themselves more fully, Leah leads with optimism, generosity, and action. She reminds us that creativity is at its best when it uplifts, connects, and moves people. Get to know Leah in our recent interview, as a woman who inspires us.

Creative Dreamer. Determined Doer. Meet Leah Steiger- 

You’re a creator in every sense, stylist, creative director, community-builder. How do all of those parts of you come together in your work?

I believe creativity is a frequency that lives everywhere. For me,  all of these are expressions of the same instinct, to tell stories and help people see how beautiful they are.  Styling is so much fun, I love working with artists, it is a natural environment for me. When they are on stage, their outfit is part of the story. 

I like to think the goal is not only to be noticed but to be remembered. Over the course of many years in the entertainment industry, I realized that I work best in collaborative environments.

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I'm not sure if that has to do with being a touring professional and living communally for so long, but I love creative communities and naturally fashion and music have always been cultural connectors. I'm not just interested in making something look cool, I’m interested in holding space where creativity, individuality and collaboration can thrive.

You have a gift for making fashion feel personal and unexpected, especially through pieces that feel reimagined or one-of-a-kind.

What inspires the way you put a look together? My philosophy is that clothing, accessories, and truly anything you put on your body has energy behind it, what energy are you looking to put into the world?

I don’t think so much about trends, I’m guided by personality and emotion. Music is also a huge influence for me, I often think about what a look sounds like. Is it soulful, punk rock or maybe it's a quiet acoustic number.

This helps me create outfits that are layered and expressive. At the end of day the goal is never perfection, I find the most beauty in imperfect, vintage or repurposed clothing. The best looks are the ones that make my clients feel like a slightly more fearless version of themselves.

A lot of what you create feels rooted in individuality and joy. How do you help someone feel more like themselves through style? I listen to them.

I am not out to transform them into someone else, I’m just peeling back the layers and revealing more of who they already are, how they move through the world, what story they are desperate to tell, what makes them smile.

Joy comes from that moment when they look in the mirror and it clicks, they recognize themselves but in a way that is braver and more confident. You can always pick up when someone has been over styled, they don't move or speak or feel like themselves anymore. 

You’re clearly someone who dreams big and gets things done. What keeps you motivated when you’re building something creative from the ground up?

Honestly, I’m motivated by the belief that creativity can open doors, not just for me, but for the people around me. We are here on this planet for such a short time, and in my opinion sometimes we fail to see the beauty in it. It’s in everything, even the struggles.

I had a rough go of it the first part of my life but it never stopped me from believing that if you can imagine something, you can make it happen. We need more believers.

What’s next and how can our community support you?!  Right now, I’m focused on continuing to grow the creative ecosystem I’ve been building through FLY.

My company is  rooted in the idea that fashion, art and music can intersect in really powerful ways. I’m also really interested in building more community through collaborations and projects that bring artists, musicians and designers together.

Some of the most exciting things happen when people from different backgrounds start sharing ideas.

The best way people can support what I’m doing is simply being a part of it, like ABLE is, sharing a space, sharing knowledge, being a sounding board for ideas, all of this props us up. If we support each other enough, we all win. 

Time for a RAPID FIRE round! Feel

Free to give one word or brief answers- 

Quick — 

What’s  in your bag right now?

Wallet 

Glasses - I am blind as a bat

Journal - I write everything down!

Hand sanitizer - I’m a lowkey germaphobe

4 lip glosses - I need options

Perfume - I love a good bespoke fragrance

What are 5 pieces you never travel without? 

Lightweight jacket. I love my ABLE trench!!

Hand sanitizer. 

Journal

Headphones

Good book

What is one style hack everyone should know? 

Accessories change everything. Invest in them.

What’s the #1 quality you look for in a partnership?

Authenticity