Story & Lesson Highlights with Gabriela Martinez of Lakewood Co.

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Gabriela Martinez. Check out our conversation below.

Gabriela, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of building a business that now has a team of 7 employees and helps over 800 brides each year bring their dream dress to life and make sure it fits perfectly. It’s something that happens quietly, behind the scenes, but it brings so much joy and confidence to each woman we serve.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, my name is Gabriela Martinez, and I am a fashion designer, entrepreneur, and founder of Gabriela Couture, based in Denver, Colorado. I specialize in custom bridal gowns, formal wear, and alterations, offering one-of-a-kind designs that blend elegance, craftsmanship, and emotional connection.

My journey in fashion began at a very young age, designing doll clothes and later creating custom outfits for friends and family. I was born in Los Angeles, California, but when I was 4 years old, my family moved to Chihuahua, Mexico. There, I formalized my training at the Universidad Regional del Norte, where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design. At 22, I opened my first atelier in Mexico, importing fabrics from New York and California to serve a growing clientele.

At 28, I returned to the United States. It was one of the hardest transitions of my life—learning English as an adult and starting my own business in a new country was a tremendous challenge. But those struggles became the foundation of my resilience and determination, shaping not only my career but also my purpose as a designer.
In 2003, I came to Colorado in 2003 with nothing but dreams and the determination to give my son a better future. In 2005, with a second-hand sewing machine at home, I started Gabriela Couture. What began as a small dream is now a thriving business with a team of seven, serving over 800 brides each year. Every stitch is a reminder that perseverance, sacrifice, and love can turn even the humblest beginnings into something extraordinary.
What makes Gabriela Couture unique is our deeply personal approach. Every bride who walks through our doors receives not just high-quality alterations or custom creations, but also care, listening, and love poured into each stitch. We specialize in both new designs and transforming vintage or heirloom dresses into modern, meaningful masterpieces.

In addition to bridal design, I’m proud to have launched Gabriela Eco Couture, a new project focused on sustainable fashion recycling, repurposing, and giving new life to wedding gowns and evening wear. I believe in reducing fashion waste and raising awareness about the environmental impact of fast fashion.

Over the years, I’ve been honored with recognitions such as rising star by FGI 2011, Denver Fashion Designer of the Year,2010, Fashon designer of the year by RAW 2013, Female Empowerment’s Woman of Impact, 2024, and recently 2025 Nominated for the Denver Public Library Latino Community Service Awards have collaborated in community-driven fashion shows and empowerment events that support women, survivors, and local artists.

I’m not just a designer. I am a mother, a dreamer, and a community builder. Through every creation, I strive to tell a story, celebrate identity, and uplift the people around me.

Currently, I’m working on new designs for upcoming fashion shows that highlight social issues close to my heart, as well as expanding my eco-conscious line and building more collaborations with bridal boutiques and sustainable fashion advocates.

Thank you Voyager for allowing me to share a bit of my story. I hope to continue inspiring, creating, and making every woman feel beautiful and empowered.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Before I even understood what my path would be, my mom saw it in me. She recognized the spark, the creativity, and the passion I had for designing long before I ever called myself a fashion designer. She not only believed in me she guided me. She taught me how to sew, how to create with my hands and my heart.

I am her dream come true, and everything I am and everything I do is thanks to her love, her vision, and her strength. My success is rooted in her teachings, and I carry her with me in every stitch.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was sad or scared as a child, what helped me the most was turning to God. He has been my strength in every moment of fear and sadness. Although I wouldn’t describe myself as very religious, I am deeply spiritual, and I believe in God above all things. Even to this day, whenever I have to work on a complicated wedding dress—or any dress, I always pray and ask God to do the work through my hands and to guide me so I can deliver something perfect. His presence brings me peace and confidence, especially in challenging moments.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
To differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts, I look at intention, impact, and longevity. A fad is often driven by trends, hype, or social pressure and tends to fade quickly. But a foundational shift comes from a deeper need for change, one that addresses a real issue and influences how people think and live in the long term.

With my new project at Eco Gabriela Couture, I’m not just following a trend, ’m working to spark a real cultural shift in how we value clothing, especially wedding gowns. These dresses take hundreds of hours to create and are often worn just once. Through recycling, redesigning, and reimagining them, I want to inspire people to care more for the planet and see beauty in sustainability.

It’s not about what’s popular right now, it’s about creating a new mindset for the future, where elegance and environmental consciousness go hand in hand.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. I’ve always believed in giving my best, even if no one is watching or applauding. I don’t do my work for recognition, I do it out of self-love and because I truly love what I do. Sewing, for me, is a form of meditation. It brings me peace, focus, and a deep sense of joy.

When I finish a piece and can look at it and say, “I did this,” it fills me with pride not because someone else praised it, but because I know the effort, intention, and love I put into it. I genuinely enjoy the process, the creativity, and the challenge. I honestly can’t imagine my life without sewing, design, and creativity. They are a part of who I am.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Gabrielacouture.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielacouturedenver/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriela-martinez-371b0b54/
• Twitter: gabrieladesigns@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GabrielaDesignsDenver/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gabriela-couture-lakewood-3
• Youtube: gabrieladesigns@gmail.com
• Soundcloud: gabrieladesigns@gmail.com

Image Credits
Lorenzo Gonzalez photo LG/PV , Felipe Arredondo Photographer Carolina Ortega model , Brenda Dozal model and Liza Loom model.