The Time And Resilience It Takes To Launch A Fashion Brand with Gabriela Garcia Olivo of Gabriela Michele

We talk about how timeless fashion lets us build sustainable wardrobes. What if the benefits of timelessness weren’t confined to our customers’ closets? Today’s guest, Gabriela Garcia Olivo, found that her timeless designs helped her build a more sustainable business. Her story is one of resilience, refinement, and reflection. In episode 123, she shares her perspective on what it takes and why it is worth it to build a fashion brand.

Gabriela Garcia Olivo is the founder and creative director of Gabriela Michele, a timeless women’s clothing brand inspired by the elegance of 1950s fashion and the captivating spirit of Latin American women. Born from a desire to celebrate feminine sophistication in everyday life, her brand merges vintage glamour with modern craftsmanship. With a commitment to quality, her collections feature natural fabrics, tailored fits, and thoughtful details that invite women to embrace their confidence and femininity.

This episode explores: Fitting the customer

• Why Gabriela does not use herself as the fit model even though she is her target market
• The surprising demographic of women who resonate with her brand
• The two things that have made the biggest difference in finding her customers and growing the brand

Fitting the lifestyle

• How long it took from idea to launch
• The aspects of vintage style that Gabriela has carried into her designs
• Why Gabriela paused her brand twice since initially launching
• What kept Gabriela going when sales were slow and burnout was looming
• How Gabriela balances ambition with realistic expectations for her business

Fitting the values

• How Gabriela found a factory and patternmaker that she trusts 
• How timeless style has led to a timeless business

People and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Gabriela Michele website
• Gabriela Michele Instagram
• Gabriela Michele email

Do you want fashion business tips and resources like this sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for the How Fitting newsletter to receive new podcast episodes plus daily content on creating fashion that fits your customer, lifestyle, and values.