Today we’d like to introduce you to Katia Gomez Fernandez.
Hi Katia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am Katia, one half of a pair of twin sisters who share a deep passion for creating exquisite wedding dresses that embody love, beauty, and artistry. Our journey began in Mexico City, where we grew up in a humble household. Our parents made tremendous sacrifices to ensure that we received an education, even going without food at times to pay for our school fees. Their unwavering support and love instilled in us a profound appreciation for their sacrifices.
My sister and I pursued our dream of becoming designers by enrolling in a renowned design school in Guadalajara. It was there that we honed our skills and developed a deep understanding of the art of fashion. After graduating, we started our creative journey by starting 2 different brands, but I have dedicated the past 8 years to making wedding dresses that are infused with love, art, and meticulous attention to detail.
In addition to our design work, I also had the privilege of teaching at the design school in Guadalajara that I graduated from.
My journey as a designer is deeply rooted in my culture and family heritage. When I was a kid, I remember my mom teaching us to sew as she fixed our Dad’s Mariachi suits. Her legacy is woven into our work. I take great pride in creating each dress by hand, ensuring the highest level of quality and attention to detail.
I think for me designing wedding dresses is more than just a profession; it is an art form that allows us to tell stories. I believe that a wedding dress is not simply a dress but a reflection of a bride’s unique personality, love story, and style. Each gown I create is a masterpiece that tells a tale, capturing the essence of the bride and her special day. I look forward to growing my business as a minority Woman entrepreneur.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting your own business always has its ups and downs. We learned a lot in the first year about how to make patterns, and we are still learning about how to make our process more efficient. The first few clients were very gracious with us. But working with people has never been an issue for me. For me, one of the most challenging aspects has been transitioning markets from Mexico to the US, and everything that goes along with that like learning English. Today we know that we are talented and that we can design and make highly crafted gowns, but the challenge is finding our customer. Of course, there are women and young ladies (XV dresses) that want one-of-a-kind designs but competing with large companies to be able to connect with them has been hard.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a fashion designer and expert seamstress, I can make just about any garment. I have made handbags, clothes, costumes, and even shoes. My specialty, and what I enjoy the most is designing dresses, from special occasions and Quinceanera’s to bridal gowns. Aside from our recognition as twin sisters, we are known for are meticulous attention to detail. We have never had a complaint with a finished product. Also, our clients always love the personal touch that we incorporate into their dress.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
I really cherish big family parties but especially the ones that we had in quemaro. Quemaro is a virgin beach a few hours away from Puerto Vallarta. Every year we would go camping for a week or 2 during “Semana Santa,” which is when we celebrate Easter. You can’t even get to the beach without a 4×4, and you have to bring everything with you. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it, and every time was different.
Pricing:
- Wedding gown starting price: $1,500
- Wedding gown average price: $2,000-$3,000
- XV starting price: $1,400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katiagabriel.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/katia_i_gabriel?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Other: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/katia-i-gabriel/6f519a605becac30.html
