Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Marlow.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From Uniform to Velvet I began my journey in uniform, serving in the military, navigating life as a mom, and holding down the fort as a wife. It was a life of service, of sacrifice, of showing up strong every day. But while I was still in the military, going through some internal battles, my wife asked me a question that changed everything: “If you could retire and do something that didn’t feel like work… what would it be?”
I didn’t even have to think. I answered quickly and confidently: “Make clothes.”
Soon after, we bought my first sewing machine. Six months later, yes, six, I designed and created our wedding attire from scratch. Velvet. One of the most challenging fabrics to work with as a beginner. People thought I was crazy, and at least made sure I still wanted to a dozen different times, I was asked “are you sure?” but I didn’t want anything off the rack. I wanted something no one had ever worn. That moment wasn’t just a bold fashion choice, it was a declaration of purpose. Sewing became more than a skill. It became my therapy.
It helped ease my anxiety, gave me focus, and became a lifeline during the difficult transition out of the military.
Marlow Royale was born from that transition. Through this brand, I realized my true calling:
To help women in uniform rediscover their confidence, reclaim their style, and walk with power into their next chapter. Because here’s what people don’t talk about enough:
Wearing a uniform every day, for years, can strip away your personal style. You become defined by the rank, not the woman inside the uniform. That’s where I come in.
I’m building confidence piece by piece through capsule wardrobes designed specifically for Veterans, blending staple items with what they already own so they don’t have to start over… just realign with who they are now. But it’s not just about clothes. It’s about embracing the transition journey.
With Marlow Royale, I’ve also launched my own line of lashes, and soon-lipstick, because sometimes, it only takes one detail to help a woman see herself again.
I retired at my final duty station in Ventura,CA,. We had visited San Diego a few times and instantly fell in love. I told my wife: “I’m ready. I want to go to school.”
So we moved to San Diego, and I enrolled at San Diego Mesa College. I’m now immersed in what I love: fashion, design, wellness, exploring my identity — and I’ve never looked back.
My mission is clear. I design and style for two audiences:
Women in uniform – because I was her. I know how hard it is to rediscover your voice and style after years in combat boots and rank.
LGBTQ+ women – because many are seeking suits that help define who they are, tailored, expressive, powerful, without having to alter men’s suits and pay double for the fit.
When I graduate, I’ll keep learning, traveling, collaborating, because Marlow Royale isn’t just a brand. It’s closing a gap most people don’t even see. Because when you think of beauty and fashion, you don’t think of soldiers, and definitely not women like me. We’re here to change that. To take up space, own our style, and be seen for all that we are, beyond the uniform
The vision? Build a legacy in San Diego.
Collaborate with everyone I meet.
Be known. Be respected in the fashion and beauty space.
And take Marlow Royale global — one fashion show, one capsule wardrobe, one confident woman at a time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Transitioning out of the military was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
It felt like being a mermaid suddenly asked to walk, like trying to re-learn how to be human in a world I hadn’t lived in since I was 21. You spend so many years in uniform, following structure, serving with pride and purpose… and then one day, it’s quiet. No orders. No mission. Just you, trying to figure out who you are without the rank, the title, the camouflage.
I won’t lie; I’m still figuring it out. But I’ve been wrapped in the grace and patience of my little family. And with them, I’ve been able to breathe. To stumble. To grow. To heal. These days, I’m taking it one step at a time. One stitch, one design, one dream at a time. And for the first time in a long time, I’m becoming the woman I always wanted to be.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m currently studying Fashion Design in San Diego pouring my heart into the craft while volunteering, sewing, and sharpening my skills every step of the way. With over 15 years as a licensed cosmetologist, I specialize in lashes and personal styling. I don’t just see clothing, I see the whole person: hair (straight, curly, locs, natural and more), nails, skin, energy, and presence. I cut my own hair, dabble in barbering, and bring the same passion whether I’m behind a sewing machine or in front of a mirror. My strength is in the full transformation, not just styling the outfit, but styling the individual. I’m known for working hard, staying kind, keeping my health a priority, and making an entrance wherever I go. What sets me apart isn’t just my creative eye, it’s my transparency and resilience. I don’t pretend it’s been easy, but I keep showing up. Every space I walk into, I walk in fully.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’m a risk taker, no question about it. I took a risk when I signed that contract and committed 13 years of my life to the military. I took a risk every time I packed up my family and moved us to a new place. I took another when I decided to get out to leave the structure, the security, and step into the unknown.
I took a risk staying in California, one of the most expensive places to live, because I believed something bigger was waiting for me here. But the biggest risk? Betting on myself. Believing that I could rebuild, reimagine, and rise again, that I could one day take care of my family the way I did in uniform, but this time, on my own terms.
Contact Info:
- Website: Designer@marlowroyale.com
- Instagram: marlowroyale
