I am Gabriella Louise Niemen, a BA Hons Graduate of Fashion Design. Proud to be of Caribbean and Panamanian descent, embracing my mixed heritage. I grew up in a large family, where there was never a dull moment and plenty of activity. Raised in Southport in a creative environment, where my mother enjoys her creativity through her art, jewellery and dress making, and my father enjoys poetry, singing and songwriting. This has had a great influence on my development through dancing, singing, performing, drawing and painting. Valuing my education, my ethos was to work hard, aiming to be and do my best. When I was 17, at the start of lockdown, I launched my first small business: making one-off, repurposed designs. Using vibrant colours, gathered waistbands to create voluminous gathered skirts. This inspired me to investigate the world of fashion. I loved problem-solving, piecing the puzzle of unpicked shapes together and enjoying seeing the outcome of transforming the old into the new. Seeking to explore my heritage, in 2024 I visited Panama for a month, two weeks of which were in Mamoni Rainforest reserve, a non-profit organisation, preserving sustainability and working with the environment’s natural resources. Whilst there I learned the traditional, hand-sewn technique called Guna Mola renowned to the indigenous Guna women. My time in Panama has influenced my work as a Designer, mixing culture, creativity and education within my projects. I would love to create a brand that captures and emphasises the cultural and traceable journey of each garment, from beginning to end. Now, I am aiming to find a workplace that aligns with my ethical values of human equality along with my creative flair, where I will stay crafting, collaborating and upcycling designs to progress in my future development.