Noblivity Spotlights Emerging Designer Gionna Cabrera
Company/Designer Name: Gionna Cabrera
Designer Background Summary: My penchant for visual art and my skills as a graduate with an Integrated Marketing Communications degree blended well in branding my designs. I have always participated in art competitions during my younger years, and subscribed to fashion from my adolescent years until present. After graduating College, I represented the country in Miss Universe 2005, dabbling into events, hosting, and writing before pushing my designs to become my business.
How did you get started? I began my business in the second quarter of 2008, after being ignited with the passion to push the wood material in my handbag designs for its uniqueness and permanence. I launched my brand in the 11th Philippine Fashion Week in Manila, where I am based. That same year, a prestigious fashion magazine included myself as one of the top 11 best new designers of the year, and I also launched my collection via a co-produced cocktail fashion show in Portland, Oregon, and travelled to New York afterwards. Fashionweekdaily.com, a hub site for fashionistas in Manhattan, has featured my designs, along with several other publications. My launching year proved fruitful, and as of the moment I am distributing in Florida and Hong Kong.
What inspires your designs? Organic objects and vintage jewelry made into life-size functional containers as in the aesthetic of my clutch bags.
How would you describe your design style, design signatures and who is your targeted customer? The style is very chic, classic, and some are whimsical. Art Deco prints are often favored by the glamorous set of customers, and the wood medium is an excellent palette for this. The woman who is beautiful, bold, confident, and chic covet my designs aside from personifying them.
What designers inspire you? I am inspired by the work of New York-based designer Devi Kroell, Judith Leiber, and Karl Lagerfeld.
What obstacles did you have to overcome? My bags are one-of-a-kind, hand-carved individually, without machine mold. One major obstacle is producing the exact same design which I am able to execute now upon request of wholesale order. I solely handle all the logistics and promotions of my business, so everyday has been a challenge.
How did you overcome them? By incorporating and investing in appropriate technology when the business demand went up. Larger scale operations are more fulfilling as everything is very efficient.
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far? Traveling to New York City and Portland for promotions in events, and meeting great people who patronize the work.
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far? From the whimsical designs of 2008 which were more organic-chic, now the 2010 trend of sleek lines in accessories are applied, and my clutches have the look of small painting frames–very sophisticated look when you are carrying them in parties.
If money were no object what would you do right now? Build my ideal stores in good locations where most of my customers can socialize.
What are the best and worst things about being a designer?
BEST: Everything–from the process of being inspired creatively by surrounding elements and being able to form independent pieces in a snap.
WORST: When there is intrigue in the fashion industry because of envy from successes of fellow designers.
Describe your typical day?
My mornings are begun by exercise (yoga/running/weight-training) to welcome good energy for the day, followed by a healthy breakfast, some reading, and proceeding to the workspace where I return customer calls/emails, brainstorm on new ideas and concepts, and facilitate out-of-town item production and deliveries. I travel once a week.
What’s your philosophy of life? Be true to your work, your word, and your friend. (Henry David Thoreau)
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? It is still expanding, so absolutely nothing.
When will you know you have made it? When the designer becomes visible globally, and is rewarded with successive business opportunities and good clientele base.
