Blind stylist Tilly Dowler speaks with Martin Sykes from Erewash Valley Talking News (incorporating LETN)

Tilly Dowler is an extraordinary young lady who has shared something of her life and her achievements with Martin Sykes, who is the Chair of the Erewash Valley Talking News (that incorporates the Long Eaton & District Talking Newspaper).

Tilly was born and raised in Castle Donington, is 26 years old and was diagnosed with Stargardt's at the age of 15, 11 years ago.  Stargardt’s disease is a rare, progressive eye disease, which means she’s now registered blind and has 10% vision, but her disability doesn't stop her from doing extraordinary things in her life.

She is an ambassador for a sight loss Leicester based charity called Vista. Tilly shares Vista's great work for the Sight Loss community in supporting people with dual sensory issues, not just Sight Loss. 

Vista do everything for their members, from meeting them at hospital, (if there's a representative there at the local hospital), to all the way through life. 

When Tilly was first diagnosed, her mum received lots of support in school, that progressed all the way through her life up until this point where she has received cane training.

Tilly runs a support group for those with Sight Issues in the Castle Donington Community Centre. The group in an intimate one which means people get to engage well with one another and enjoy being together to share the issues they have and the joys of life and the frustrations of life with Sight loss.

A lady once visited the group wanted to wear makeup and was surprised that Tilly still wears makeup even with her sight loss. Tilly explained about little plastic tool that sits under the eyelashes, so mascara can be applied so there's no mascara on the face - it's sharing experience and knowledge that matters so much.

Tilly’s shop called Wanted Wardrobe opened in 2020 in Castle Donington and is eye-catchingly bright pink. The ladies’ clothes are generously donated by the public. Wanted Wardrobe is  a sustainable, pre-loved shop that supports sight loss because Tilly donates 10% of her profits to Vista.

The name Wanted Wardrobe  came about because as Tilly says, everyone Wants a  Wardrobe that actually works for them.

Tilly offers colour analysis, which is really confusing for some people who wonder  how a blind person can do colour analysis, but Tilly and her business partner and Wanted Wardrobe co-founder, Victoria adapt everything they offer in the shop to meet needs and be accessible for not just those who are sight impaired, but everyone.

Last summer Tilly did something extraordinary by organising to climb to the summit of Snowden. Tilly with two other blind summiteers were joined by a group of sighted people. They went up the easiest path, but it was still amazing.  One member of their party was totally blind, which meant for him, everything was audio described and he managed to make it to the top of Snowden.

Tilly owes so much to Vista and wanted to give something back, so organised and took part in the climb as a fundraiser for them but also to  raise the profile not just of Vista, but also how sight loss doesn't have to hold you back.  Being able to climb a massive mountain is kind of a metaphor to the fact that every day it's hard for people with sight loss. Tilly and he friends raised a staggering £4,350 for Vista.

In September 2025, Tilly was awarded Young Entrepreneur of the Year, by EVA, which is the Enterprise Vision Awards, the largest women in business awards in the UK.  Tilly uses every opportunity as a marketing and networking opportunity to spread awareness of both her business and sight loss. Tilly was nominated by Caroline Hod, who is the “Naughty Author” on social media.

Caroline is Leicestershire-based, and champions anyone that she thinks is doing incredible work. It's not the first time she's nominated Tilly for awards. Caroline nominated her last year, for the Natural Awards for Start-Up Business of the Year.

Tilly is also known as the Blind Stylist and is an extraordinary young lady.