Meet Luiza Gandra | Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Luiza Gandra and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luiza, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been artistic—it was how I expressed myself, especially with my dyslexia. Visuals always felt more natural than words, and creativity became my language.

When I got to college and had to choose what I wanted to do with my life, I wasn’t sure at first. But I looked back at my childhood and realized how much I always loved fashion. I used to design clothes with my friends and ask my family what kind of outfits they wanted me to draw for them.

FIU, the college I attended, didn’t offer a fashion design program, so I chose the closest thing: costume design. That helped me learn how to sew and how to transform ideas—like animals or objects—into garments. Even though the focus was on costumes, my approach was always more fashion-driven, and it really showed in my work.

After graduating, I decided to take it a step further and fully follow my passion. I’m now pursuing a fashion design certificate at Parsons while also running my own fashion business, where I get to bring my designs to life and share my creative vision with the world while still learning everyday.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business, Lauie.G, is a fashion brand built on intention, emotion, and bold self-expression. I design with the purpose of making people feel seen, inspired, and powerful. What sets my brand apart is that everything is handmade by me, I don’t outsource to manufacturers. Every stitch, every detail is created in-house with care and intention, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.

While I’m currently developing my clothing line, with original designs and creative projects launching soon, I’ve already introduced a line of luxury vinyl tote bags and essential bags. These pieces helped me get started and reflect the same quality, storytelling, and functionality that will define my future garments. You won’t find them anywhere else.

In addition to Lauie.G, I also started a pet apparel brand called Ruff & Riley, where I design and hand-make stylish accessories for dogs, like bandanas, collars, leashes, and even matching sets for pet parents. As my brand continues to grow, Ruff & Riley will evolve into Lauie.G for Pets, bringing the same attention to detail, creativity, and meaning to the pet world.

Getting here hasn’t been easy. I’ve faced financial challenges, burnout, and plenty of moments of self-doubt. But I’ve learned you don’t need everything to be perfect to begin, you just need to start. What I’m most proud of is that I’ve built all of this from the ground up, staying true to my vision every step of the way.

At the end of the day, Lauie.G isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about telling stories through fashion, embracing individuality, and creating with intention. I’m just getting started, but I’m building something real and I can’t wait to share it with the world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When my best friend visits, the trip is usually short, so it’s not really about where we go—it’s about spending time together. She used to live here, so we skip the touristy spots and stick to what feels familiar. We always try to make time to visit Fort Lauderdale and reconnect with our other close friends. The rest of the trip is usually filled with cozy catch-up sessions, spontaneous outings, and just enjoying each other’s presence—since we don’t get to do that often anymore.

However, if someone else was visiting—especially if they’ve never been here before—I’d definitely plan a full Miami experience. We’d explore the Design District, eat in Little Havana, go shopping at local boutiques, maybe even visit the Everglades for an adventure. And of course, I’d book a yacht day—it’s such a classic Miami thing to do. There’s nothing like cruising on the water with good music, sun, and that unbeatable skyline view.

Miami has so much to offer, and I’d love to give someone a taste of the energy, culture, and beauty that makes this place so unforgettable.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely, my journey wouldn’t be what it is without the incredible support system I have. First and foremost, my mom has been my rock. She’s supported me every step of the way and encouraged my creativity from the beginning. She’s the one who pushed me to go after my fashion certificate, and she continues to support me financially when needed—not as a handout, but as an investment in my future and my dreams.

I also have to shout out my boyfriend. In many ways, we support each other equally, and without him, I might’ve given up at some point. Going after what you really want can be tough and exhausting, and if you don’t have the right people beside you, it’s easy to lose momentum. His belief in me, especially in the moments when I struggled to believe in myself, has made all the difference. I’m incredibly grateful for both of them, they’ve helped shape the person and designer I am today.

Website: https://lauieg.com

Instagram: lauie.g or lauiegandra

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luiza-gandra-6351471b9

Youtube: @lauieG

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LauieG?ref=dashboard-header

Image Credits
First picture: @_house_of_indigo_
All the rest: @Omnierick (Erick Ison)