Rising Stars: Meet Gabriella Fox of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriella Fox.

Gabriella, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey to becoming a fashion designer– and honestly an artist in general– began as a little girl, when I was about 5 or 6 years old; the late 2000s was definitely the golden age of computer games, virtual worlds, and girly fashion accessories and toys. My love for fashion began with Bratz Dolls; I collected them and played with them nearly everyday alongside the online dress-up games I played with my friends on the phone. We’d also go on Youtube, looking at not only the funny viral videos but music videos of popular artists at the time— Beyonce, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Avril Lavigne, Black Eyed Peas. It was through watching these music videos that I learned about the power of visual storytelling and how it mended beautifully with music. It was also through my love for Bratz Dolls that I grew my sense of style and love for fashion.

I officially started the journey through a binder of fashion illustrations. It was certainly nothing fancy or exceptional, but combining my newfound knowledge at the time of different fashion aesthetics and styling combinations, it was revelatory. It was fun. It made me realize just how creative I was. Later on, when I was about 12 or 13, Mom had bought me two sewing machines: a training one, and a professional one. Though I had my small sewing projects, I was so ready to just start making clothes from scratch, but the lack of proper training always stopped me. Instead, I researched, drew illustrations, and stayed up to date on pop culture.

During high school, my future in fashion began to feel more tangible upon not only touring SCAD’s Savannah campus, but attending SCAD’s annual summer seminar two years later, where I learned how to properly illustrate fashion and create fashion accessories. I knew in my heart that I belonged there. However, when it came time to apply in my senior year, my parents delivered the heart crushing news that financially, it wasn’t the best option. Though disappointed, we discovered that Georgia Southern also has a Fashion Design program, so we agreed that going there for two years and transferring was the best decision. Looking back, I’m so glad that it unfolded this way. I received the best of both worlds: Studying fashion while also receiving the experience of living away from home and navigating my life at a University.

Junior year of college came around, and I was quite content and prepared to graduate from Georgia Southern. My mom and dad face-timed me on my walk home from the university garden when they asked me,
“What if you went to SCAD for your final year in school?”

Feeling slightly indifferent, and fearing disappointment, I asked, “Well what about the money? I thought you said we couldn’t afford it?”

They simply told me not to worry about it– that it couldn’t be so bad with my being there my final year.

Without the excitement kicking in yet, I applied again, and started preparing for my portfolio.

My journey at SCAD was amazing and ended up being three years long instead of one. Despite the prolonged journey, I had a wonderful time and learned so much. There were many moments that I felt inadequate, like an imposter, and simply not good enough in comparison to my peers. However, my final year as a senior– with the creation of my bridal collection, Sufficient Grace– opened my eyes into seeing that it’s never about who’s better than you. It’s never about whether you’re good enough, even. It’s about whether you’re willing to bet on yourself and your vision. It’s about remembering that in the end, everyone will go their separate ways on their own journey, so why look in someone else’s lane when it’s eventually bound to split? It’s ultimately a disservice to yourself.

SCAD not only provided me resources, opportunities, and networking opportunities with top designers, but it molded me into a confident, intelligent, and articulate designer.

Although the journey here was not what I expected or planned for, It was nothing short of God’s divine timing, and all glory goes to Him.

Alright, 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?
Of course not! I can recall the days of my early childhood all the way up to high school; my confidence was never really high. At one point, I was known as the fat girl in gym class, the artistic girl who would do other people’s assignments because I thought they were my friend, and the people pleasing friend that thought she had to move mountains for others to accept her.
I can recall my time at Georgia Southern; at one point, I didn’t even want to do fashion anymore. I double majored in Political Science for a time, in fear that fashion wasn’t a career that would pay the bills, especially during COVID. I can recall a time I was working retail and a customer, who had graduated from a fashion school, told me, “Girl, you won’t get a job doing that” [referring to studying fashion]. Even a time where a mentor at my school discouraged me from following the vision God gave me.

Many seeds of doubt and discouragement tried to find its way in my mind all throughout my journey; It’s not something we all shouldn’t prepare for.

Not only was a dealing with naysayers externally, but I was also battling with struggles in my own mind involving spiritual psychosis, anxiety, loneliness and being led by tormenting thoughts that attempted to alter my understanding of reality.

Even with SCAD; the challenges weren’t too different: friendships fading, comparing myself to others, feeding into the doubt that has creeped into my mind, imposter syndrome, spiritual warfare. What kept me going was remembering what I was capable of, who I was, and no matter what, I will always be where I’m meant to be.

Each other these bumps in the road discouraged me and even knocked me down at times. But I persevered through a hope greater than me, and of course, through the encouragement and support of my family.

If we’re being honest, I’ve recently been going through bumps in the road, but in my heart I know that it’s nothing God hasn’t brought me through.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a fashion designer specializing in conceptual bridal and couture evening wear rooted in faith, femininity, modernity, and storytelling. I especially want to create wedding dresses atypical to what we’re used to seeing– something cool, individualistic, yet still high fashion. Even before SCAD, I loved creating dresses, but I wasn’t so drawn to bridal because of all the “rules” associated with it: It has to be white, you have to use lace, beading, or it must be sleek and clean. You typically use certain fabrics, etc. With SCAD, and the help of my professors, I broke the barriers, even if other people didn’t seem to agree.

I’ve recently created my first avant-garde bridal collection, “Sufficient Grace.” It’s based on the scripture 2 Corinthians 12:9, which says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” It’s a reminder that no matter how much we struggle and make mistakes, God is there to help us in our weakness, It embraces the fact that none of us are perfect; no matter how much we do, perfect is impossible, and it will never come close to who God is. It embraces the need to lean on a power greater than us instead of our own strength. To represent this visually, I take the concept of angels, beings that are commonly known as perfect, and I make them the opposite. Flawed beings but still beautiful and ethereal. This collection was featured in the SCAD fashion show and in Vogue magazine, which I am extremely proud of!

What sets me apart from others is my love for storytelling and encouraging others. I believe that fashion isn’t just beautiful clothing, but there’s a crucial level to storytelling that truly brings a garment to life. I believe that the message behind the clothes is just as important as the craftsmanship and beauty itself. What are you telling the world? How are you influencing the world? It’s a form of stewardship that all artists have to be mindful of because it has the ability to reach not just our eyes but our souls, and how we’re impacting the soul matters. I want to not only tell stories with my fashion collections but stories that leave a lasting impact.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
If you had asked me a year or two ago, I would be afraid that AI is taking over all the artistic industries. Now, I’m not so afraid anymore. As time goes by, we are seeing just how cheap, analogous, and lifeless AI creations are– even down to posters! I think we as a society are so used to seeing AI materials that it’s easy to spot and instantly strikes as boring and lazy. While I can understand it can be a tool for processing ideas and reviewing hypotheticals, especially when we’re low on finances, claiming AI art as our own and releasing it to the world is hurting our human connection and is ultimately dangerous in the longrun. Where there is potential for good, there is also potential for evil.

I also see that, and this is off topic, fashion becoming fun and extravagant again. People are sick of seeing athleisure and are beginning to dress up again, and I love it! I’m also seeing some people develop and explore their own personal style, while referencing pop culture, runway shows, and red carpet moments, which in a way is making them more fashion-literate.

In terms of bridal specifically, eventually we’re going to fully branch out of the typical white wedding dress, typical silhouettes, and beading. I truly believe the bridal industry is getting way more experimental, imaginative, and completely nontraditional. And I really hope to be a pioneer in this next new wave of bridal! Look at Danielle Frankel (one of my FAVORITE designers and biggest inspirations): She’s a protegé of Vera Wang and making bridal high fashion again. Even celebrities are wearing them as red carpet/performance looks. The lines are blurring between the traditional wedding dress and a totally cool evening look. Make bridal interesting again!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gabriellasimone.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bygabriellasimone
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriella-fox-00b7091bb