This Former Stylist Helps Service Members Transition Back into Civilian Life with Her Unique Business

Giving back to those who serve this country, one suit a time.

When Suiting Warriors founder Star Lotta lost a military family member to posttraumatic stress disorder, she felt compelled to take action. In 2012, she established Suiting Warriors, a nonprofit that helps men and women of the U.S. armed forces, Guard, Reserve, and veterans and their spouses transition back into civilian life by providing them with wardrobe consulting and upscale professional attire.

“To watch a young service member struggle with such deep emotional conflict and pass away from a heart attack was horrible and tragic for my family. And it’s equally tragic for all military families who have endured similar circumstances,” says Lotta. After much research and selfeducation on military transitional issues and PTSD, this former men’s stylist set out on a mission. Her goal? To use her own skill set to instill confidence in transitioning veterans by providing them with individual styling attention and empowering them to choose the best careerwear for their transitional aspirations.

Suiting Warriors is known for its boutique-style traveling suiting service that reaches veterans on the path to a new career. Its SuitUP^ program reaches those who are preparing for job fairs, job interviews and networking events, and provides stylish and classic daily careerwear, as well as formal attire. “Our motto is: ‘We suit heroes; they’re called Veterans,’” says Lotta. And in keeping with this ethos, the opportunity to save American heroes from thoughts and actions of suicide, improper self-medication and the loss of forward direction is what keeps her going. That, and enabling them to move onward and upward after years of sacrifice for our country. “My grandfather was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran and used to tell me that the people who give are oftentimes the happiest,” she says. “This has been my experience. Whether it’s time, treasure or talent, when we give, each of us receives a sense of joy, purpose and a greater connection to our community.” suitingwarriors.org