Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Zwick.
Gabrielle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I always wanted to be a fashion designer. From drawing instead of doing work in class, to cutting up my mother’s clothes to make my own “master pieces”; there was no other career that would fulfill my urge to create.
I am from a small city in Illinois called Quincy, right on the Mississippi River. My parents urged me to go to a nearby college so I could be close to them, but they also hoped my attendance at a “real school” would give me options for when I got burnt out of learning about fashion design.
At 18 years old and only a month after my high school graduation, I moved 5 hours away to the 3rd largest city in the US, Chicago, IL. I attended the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago where I graduated in three short years with a Bachelor’s in Fine Art with a focus in Fashion Design.
After graduation, I took an internship in New York City with designer, Anna Sui. Working on pieces for New York Fashion week, and meeting people from all over the world.
I left the internship in less than 3 short months when I was offered a position designing prom and pageant dresses back in Chicago, my first paid gig!
The company was then named Party Time Formals, but is now named Rachel Allan. I was able to see garments I designed in Teen Prom, Pageantry, and Seventeen Magazine! Of course, all dreams come at a price. As I am sure many of you know, many (if not most) of the clothes we wear in the US are made in China. The job was based in Chicago, but I would spend over a month at a time in China (mind you, I do not speak any of the Chinese languages). When they began talk of moving me out to China, I knew I had to find another job.
Chicago is a wonderful city for education, and jobs in many other industries.. but unfortunately fashion design is not one of them. I was unwilling to move again so soon, and since my boyfriend at the time just lost his job, I began working in retail.
Not designing at all was not an option for me. I started my own line from the floor of my 1 bed room apartment. Gabrielle Zwick Designs was born in 2013. A line of swimwear focusing on flattering silhouettes and easy day to night cover-ups for woman.
In 2015, the Gabrielle Zwick swimwear line was accepted into The Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s on State Street. This is a two year business program in which you have an office and design studio housed in Macy’s. Only 2-4 designers are selected annually!
I never thought I would have my designs in the windows at Macy’s (or meet Betsey Johnson!! ) but you never know where life will take you.
If I could give one word of advice to anyone looking to be a fashion designer, it would be to flexible.
You might be asking yourself at this point, “How the heck did she end up in Texas?”
After my residency with Macy’s ended, I began looking for corporate design jobs. I figured I would be moving to NY or LA, but to my surprise I found a listing for a design position at Varsity Spirit Fashion in Dallas, TX.
Varsity is the largest provider of cheerleading and pom uniforms on the planet. With my experience with rhinestones from the prom company, stretch athletic fabric from the swim company, and also being a cheerleader and dancer in my youth, I decided to apply for the job. I had never stepped foot in Texas making this the 3rd city I’ve moved to without knowing a sole for this career.
I have now been deigning for Varsity for a year and three months. I still fill orders for my swimwear line right here in Dallas. Some days, I feel I am still trying to get my footing, but I do not have any regrets. I love Dallas. I have met so many kind and welcoming people and I am proud to now call Texas my home!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest struggles would have to be the neigh sayers.
Since being a fashion designer is not a super common career, people do not always take it seriously. People have asked me, so you are a “fashion designer”? (using air quotes) Yes, I am. It is my job and it is how I make money. It is what I went to school for. I would never ask someone if they are a “firefighter” or a “doctor”? The whole thing is very odd to me.
Another obstacle is finance. Having your own line is extremely expensive. However, much money you think it is going to cost you, triple it! You will not make money your first season and you are very lucky if you break even the second season. Building a brand takes time. Patience is so important.
Third obstacle with having your own line is that so little of it is actually creative. Marketing, taxes, sales, research, networking… you have to wear a lot of hats. This is one of the main reasons I returned to corporate design. With Varsity, so much of my day is spent actually designing which is what I truly love to do.
Gabrielle Zwick – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
When I started my swimwear line (and I’m going to be honest), I had no idea what I was doing.
I was truly just doing it for fun and was genuinely surprised when anyone wanted to by it!
I was even more surprised when my main clients ended up being quite a bit older than myself. My client ended up being the “Hot Mom”. Someone who works out and looks great, but is looking for swim bottoms that come up a little higher and cover her booty.
My line has mesh layering pieces that seamlessly transform any two piece suit into a one piece. I have many cover ups that can easily take my client from poolside to a champagne lunch. My line is truly versatile. I even have swimsuits that can be worn as flattering body suits. Two layers of Spandex create a Spanx-like slimming effect.
I am so proud that the little project in my apartment in Chicago was able to grow into a polished brand.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I was extremely proud when my swimwear line made it in The Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s on State Street. Another proud moment was when I hosted a fashion show fundraiser for The National Parkinson’s Foundation. It was an amazing feeling having my art be able to help others and possibly contribute to curing such an awful disease.
Contact Info:
- Website: GabrielleZwick.com
- Email: GZwickDesigns@gmail.com
- Instagram: @gabriellezwick
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GabrielleZwickDesigns/
Image Credit:
Julianna Bond, R. Hanel, Wild & Free Photography
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