Meet Gabriela Garcia Olivo

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gabriela Garcia Olivo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gabriela, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I keep my creativity alive by listening to it and letting it guide me.

Over time, I’ve learned to recognize and accept that creativity moves in cycles, there are seasons when ideas bloom effortlessly, when I sit down to work and everything flows naturally, almost as if I’m just channeling it. And there are seasons when I feel blocked or uninspired, and I’ve learned not to force it. During those times, I take a step back and feed my curiosity. Whatever sparks my interest at that moment—whether it’s a book, a podcast, or a movie—I follow it. Somewhere in that process, an emotion or idea always arises, and new inspiration begins to surface naturally.

To keep my creativity alive, it’s also essential for me to dedicate time to things that fill me with life: going to concerts and watching others live their art through music, traveling because every city I visit expands my mind, and spending time alone to reflect and reconnect with myself.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am the founder and designer of Gabriela Michele, a women’s clothing brand inspired by the timeless elegance of 1950s fashion and the confident, sophisticated spirit of Latin American women. Our pieces are designed to honor the feminine figure through refined silhouettes, thoughtful details, and impeccable craftsmanship.

What makes the brand special is the way each design is created to celebrate women, to make them feel as if the garment was made just for them. I want every piece to spark a feeling of joy, confidence, and self-assurance the moment they put it on.
We work with high-quality natural fabrics such as cotton and linen, focusing on creating timeless wardrobe staples rather than trends. Every collection tells a story inspired by memories, femininity, and vintage glamour.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three qualities that have been fundamental in developing, launching, and growing my brand are resilience, patience, and fearlessness.

Resilience has allowed me to keep going even when it feels like everything that could go wrong does. Patience has been equally important, patience with the process and with myself. Everything has taken more time than I expected, but looking back, every delay had a purpose.

And finally, fearlessness, the courage to start something new without a blueprint, to take risks, to put myself and my work out there even when I don’t know how it will turn out. Being fearless has meant getting comfortable with the uncomfortable, allowing myself to make mistakes, and continuing to pursue my dreams regardless of uncertainty.

For anyone at the beginning of their journey, my advice is to cultivate these qualities by putting yourself out there—whatever it is you want to create or build, take the chance, and go for it. You will learn what you need along the way.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

If I had a decade of life left, I would spend it doing exactly what I’m doing now. I’m in a stage of my life where I’m living intentionally and in alignment with my purpose. I’m working on my lifelong dream—my brand—and it’s work that truly fulfills me.

There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a customer try on a piece and feel as though it was made just for her, the spark in her eyes, the smile, that genuine sense of joy. As a designer, that feeling is priceless. I want to continue creating pieces that evoke that emotion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gabrielamichele.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielamichele.co/