We have already explained this phenomenon of a designer and her fascinating journey in the fashion universe, but here is a brief version of her story for those who are not yet aware of this creative powerhouse and ardent advocate of sustainability. Gabriela Hearst honored her family’s heritage through the launch of her eponymous label in Fall 2015 after taking over the operations of her father’s ranch in Uruguay. She wanted to create a brand that reflects a slower pace and process: where things are made with care and detail, where tradition is more important than trend, where there is a purpose to every piece. Gabriela’s commitment is to make a strong and modern collection without compromising her ethics and key values, taking into consideration where materials come from and who is making them: luxury with a conscience, or in other words, “honest luxury.”
In 2018, Gabriela was appointed to the board of trustees of Save the Children. The Gabriela Hearst Flagship store on Madison Avenue in New York opened in November 2018, the London store on Brook street opened in August 2019. For the Spring Summer 2020 collection, shown in New York in September 2019, Gabriela Hearst produced the first-ever carbon-neutral runway show. She is the winner of the 2016/17 International Woolmark Prize for Womenswear, 2018 recipient of the Pratt Institute Fashion Visionary Award, and 2020 recipient of the Frank Alvah Parsons Award. In 2020, she won the American Womenswear Designer of the Year Award at the CFDA Fashion Awards. The British Fashion Council awarded Gabriela as an Environment Honoree for her contribution to creating positive change within the industry at the 2020 Fashion Awards. In December 2020 Hearst was appointed the new Creative Director for Chloé.
What comes next is another incredible collection, this time for SS22. There is no other more original way in describing the seasonal vision than the designer’s own words and thoughts on life experience.
“While contemplating our SS22 collection, I realized the collections have become journals of what experiences life brings and where my curiosity takes me. I discovered Hester Diamond through my love for minerals. This impressive trailblazing woman had all the characteristics that I am attracted to: passion, instinct, intelligence, skills, and a strong value system. She built one of the most impressive art collections with pure love and wit. She collected art because she loved it, in contrast to today’s world where, for some, art has become an asset in a portfolio. After she had collected some of the most impressive art pieces, she was drawn to minerals. Nature always offers the most breathtaking beauty that human eyes can see.
The work we did with the Navajo community was serendipitous and a spiritual gift. lt brought the Americas’ craft together in the collection along with the work of Uruguay and Bolivia, both of the non-for-profits we work with. The impact of Covid on mental health has affected many of those close to us. My best friend Paola Pravato narrates her circumstances. We used her drawing for our print this season and the crochet work on knits. Being able to create beautiful pieces that are desirable and at the same time that empower others is probably one of the most satisfying professional experiences.” – Gabriela Hearst
The stories of discovering artisans working on traditional sustainable methods for many generations and of giving them the chance to get involved in a modern high-fashion collection are equally amazing and extraordinary to the result itself, every piece having its own narrative, being a small miracle and a product of love.
Needless to comment on the incredible quality the designer is known for. All items she is producing are real investment pieces or better heirlooms for those you decide to add them to their wardrobes.
