SAN DIEGO – Lori Marlow found her passion for fashion through love and purpose.
As a designer, she launched her business, Marlow Royale, with the help of SWaM — a program that supports women and minority-owned businesses. She is also a personal brand stylist and fashion coach. Her goal is to style and design for women in uniform and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Marlow was in the military for over a decade. She began in the Army, working in logistics for about two years, and then spent 10 years in the Air Force. There, she worked as a lab technician and for the last three years was in the finance office as a pay technician. She was stationed in Virginia at Langley Air Force Base and completed her military career at Port Hueneme in Ventura.
Her fashion journey began one day when her wife asked her, “What do you want to do when you retire from the military?”
She remembered how much she loved fashion and beauty when she was younger, how she would dress up, coordinate outfits, and get lost in creative styling, and realized this was the dream that she had never pursued.
Her answer was, “I love to make clothes,” and shortly afterward, they bought a sewing machine.
Determined to learn the craft, she began watching videos to understand the techniques and garment construction. When she couldn’t attend fashion school full time due to her military schedule, she began taking one-on-one sewing classes to build her skills.
After retiring, Marlow and her wife moved to San Diego, and here she has continued pursuing her passion with her business named Marlow Royale. She is studying in the fashion program at San Diego Mesa College and will graduate next year.
One of her favorite creations so far has been her own wedding attire.
“We knew we wanted velvet-something rich, bold, and different,” she said. She wanted to design something that was both comfortable and flattering for her wife, who has a fuller bust, and wanted a one-piece dress with a train.
Marlow envisioned a fitted, elegant mermaid silhouette — and brought it to life.
The unforgettable wedding took place on April 21, 2023, at Vista Point on the big Navy Base in Norfolk. It was the wedding of their dreams. Now, Marlow continues to pursue her passion for fashion by empowering women in uniform and the LGBTQ+ community.
Upcoming events
Thursday, July 24 – Her Universe 2025 Fashion Show at San Diego Comic-Con at 6 p.m. Actress Ashley Eckstein will host this Wicked-themed event at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. Wristband/ticket distribution information will be released close to the event.
July 31-Aug 3 – San Diego Swim Week: This swimsuit and resort wear fashion show will be at 3794 John J Montgomery Drive. For more information, visit sandiegoswimweek.com.
Saturday, Aug. 2 – Haute with Heart Fashion Show 2025 presented by St Madeleine Sophie’s Center. The theme this year is “London Calling.” The event begins at 10 a.m. at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. For more information, visit stmsc.org.
Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned Couture Milliner based in the Southern California area. Learn more about our hat designer, teacher, and podcaster at www.dianacavagnaro.co.
