My friend Gabrielle De La Garza designs and curates the most stunning jewelry you’ve ever seen, and it’s been a long time coming for me to finally feature one of her pieces on the blog! She posted a Snapchat of this gorgeous necklace that she picked up a few months ago, and I think I immediately sent her a reply that I had to have it! The choker trend is huge right now, and I love being able to tell people this was from my friend’s collection. She is so talented, don’t you think?! I wanted to have her share a bit of her story with you all as well, so enjoy hearing from Gabrielle while you scroll through the gorgeous photography from Christina! You would never know it was blazing hot in Cancun the day we shot this look, her editing was a life saver!
Haute in Texas: Tell us about your life to this point – how have you gotten this far and what are the big moments from your youth that have helped you become who you are?
Gabrielle De La Garza: I’ve been very blessed to have such a supportive and creative family, that continually inspired me to dream big and to always do what I love. When I was younger I spent most of my time at church, theatre, dance, and the great outdoors. My friends called my sister and I the “wilderness girls”. I grew up in a small home with a white picket fence in the country, our nearest neighbor was about 1 mile down the street. We didn’t have the biggest house or the nicest car, but we had the coolest parents. My parents always did fun crafts with us, and everybody use to rave about our “dress up trunk” that was full of incredible costumes made by mom. We didn’t have much money, but my family always knew how to make us feel extravagant and put us first.
After high school my heart was set on becoming an actress. So, I joined a performing arts group in Kona, Hawaii. We traveled the Hawaiian islands and the West Coast . When we got to California, we performed at UCLA, UC Irvine, Berkley, and Standford. I absolutely fell in love with the West Coast and had my heart set on moving there after our productions were over. I ended moving to Orange County and went to a community college, there I joined their theatre Arts program. During my time in Hawaii and OC, my professors always put me in charge of costumes. I thoroughly enjoyed creating the wardrobe for some of our productions, I just never knew I could turn into a career.
A friend of mine suggested I get into fashion styling, and move to Los Angeles. I ended up making the move and went to a design college. Unfortunately, during my first week there, I was physically assaulted. It probably was the most traumatic thing I’ve ever experienced. I gave up on my dreams and moved back to San Antonio. I started working at a bank, and didn’t have much of a social life. I would spend my money on getting material to make hair accessories, during that time I slowly gained my passion for fashion back.
HIT: So how did you get your big break?
GDLG: One thing my dad told me during that time was ” It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.” That always stuck with me, and I decided to give LA another try. I then starting searching for fashion jobs in LA, but as we all know LA is highly saturated with young women striving to break into the fashion industry. So, I started off working in retail at BCBG on Rodeo Drive. After a year, they moved me up to one of the top stylist for high profile clientele aka celebs. I remember for the first few months I’d call my family and friends and would scream into the phone “Guess who I got to style today!”. While it was a very exciting job, it wasn’t paying my bills. I also became a personal assistant to a restaurant owner on the weekends, and took up babysitting at night. A few years passed and a friend introduced me to the Communications Director of a high end accessory company, that was looking for an accessory stylist in Beverly Hills. They offered me three times the amount of what I was making, an office on Rodeo Drive, and working with major brands, networks, and clients.
At this point I can only describe opportunities like this as a”God Moment”. How was I getting this prestigious job with no degree, it just blew my mind, but I knew I wasn’t going to pass it up. Being around these beautiful accessories, I decided to continue designing my own hair accessories. My family and friends really encouraged me to turn this small collection into a business. So, I sold online and partnered with local boutiques to host trunk shows. Genlux Magazine approached me to feature my designs in the magazine, and from then I knew something good was happening. Seeing my name printed under Donna Karen, DVF, Tom Ford and Alexander McQueen was AWESOMENESS overload. The cherry on top was me being quoted in the Hollywood Reporter in the same paragraph as the Kardashians and Lucy Hale. Not bad for a country girl born in San Antonio with a dream in heart and the gumption to go get it! This last year, I moved to San Antonio part time, to launch my jewelry line in my hometown, GDLG Collection. And now I currently split my time styling in LA and pushing my collection in SA.
HIT: With each collection, do you take a trip to be inspired? Study some specific topic?
GDLG: I feel like California definitely inspires my bohemian flare, and San Antonio inspires my colorful unique pops of colors in some of the accessories.
HIT: How does your dual life between LA and San Antonio affect your style?
GDLG: Honestly speaking, being in two completely different cultures, it affects my style, but not by much. Since living in LA I really enjoy the variety. I love classic pieces with an unexpected twist using striking accessories or
prints. Growing up I never fit in and that’s the way I like it (set apart). My style is just that, my style. But I must be doing something right because I get stopped all the time with compliments about what I’m wearing.
HIT: What are your passions besides jewelry design?
GDLG: I’m truly passionate about seeing people live out their dreams. While I was living in Los Angeles, I joined a nonprofit, Red Eye Inc.. Every Saturday we would visit low income housing in Downtown LA and would feed and mentor the youth using Creative Arts. On special holidays we would partner with companies in Los Angeles that would donate clothing, food, and give makeovers to men and women who were in transition from the streets to getting jobs. I’ve helped give children and women who came out of substance abuse, gangs, and prostitution, complete makeovers during my time there. To me that has been the most rewarding to see these children and women truly transform from the outside in. Fashion, design, and styling is something I’m talented in and can use as a platform to reach others creatively, and I hope to continue projects like that here in San Antonio. I believe when you make your dreams bigger than your past you can become unstoppable.
HIT: What’s the best advice anyone’s ever given you?
GDLG: This advice was actually passed down from my mom, she always told us to do our “Math” when picking friends and getting into relationships. There are people who will add, subtract, multiply, and divided, so choose your friends wisely. Not everybody is going where you’re going. Align yourself with the right people. Who are you hanging out with? I have always been intentional with those I let in (or don’t) because I know they are a reflection of who I am and where I’m going. I purpose those in my life who are encouragers, mentors, wiser, and who align with my goals.
HIT: Name your favorite piece of jewelry you personally own right now.
GDLG: I absolutely love wearing my grandmas diamond necklace she gave me before she passed away. It’s my favorite piece of jewelry and it’s my good luck charm.
HIT: What’s one place in the world you would love to go do a photo shoot that you haven’t yet?
GDLG: I would love to shoot by the Mediterranean Sea.
Isn’t her work amazing?! To see more of her collection, and discover her personally created items, visit her website here. And be sure to follow her on Instagram at her personal account here and her collection account here. This little lady has already accomplished so much, and I know there are even BIGGER things to come!
XO,
A
P.S. Today is the last day to enter the Neocell giveaway for free beauty products that will change your skin forever! Make sure to check it out by clicking here.
P.P.S. Our FGI Membership Mixer is almost sold out, so if you want to hang out with more fashionable people Tuesday night, including Gabrielle, be sure to check out my post on the group and event here.
Official Photography Provided By:
Christina Dianne Photography
