Eight years ago, a young woman named Ixamora embarked on a difficult journey from Nicaragua through Mexico, to the United States. She walked more than 3,000 miles, passing through deserts, crossing mountains and fording rivers.
After crossing the border, she made her way to Miami, where she was promptly hired by the family of Sally Gabriele, a local fashion designer, to work as a nurse for Gabriele’s grandmother, Denise Hirsch, who was struggling with a lung condition.
Gabriele was deeply touched by Ixamora’s story and the way she had quickly acclimated to her new surroundings.
“Despite facing a difficult journey from Nicaragua, spanning thousands of miles to reach Miami and being robbed along the way, Ixamora persevered,” Gabriele said. “It ignited a spark in me, motivating me to contemplate how I could bring about a positive change.”
The fashion industry has undergone a remarkable transformation in response to the growing demand for ethical and sustainable practices in modern society. In this context, Gabriele’s establishment of the sustainable fashion line “Identite” last year is a clear testament to this cultural shift. The impact of Identite has been profound, with the sale of nearly 6,500 items in under eight months and profits used to help almost 2,500 families.
This trend towards sustainable fashion has been increasing exponentially in recent years as the damaging effects of fast fashion have become more apparent due to heightened media coverage. And as the public has gained awareness of the harmful results of prioritizing profits over ethics, sustainability has become a key consideration for many consumers. In 2021 a study from the Harvard Business School found that sales of sustainable material have grown 8.3% annually – 5.6 times faster than conventional material sales.
“I’m proud to be a part of the fashion industry’s shift towards more conscious and ethical practices,” stated Gabriele. “At Identite, our game-changing policies are transforming the way the public views fashion.”
Gabriele’s passion for fashion originated in her home country, Venezuela, where she scored a job with a non-profit as a teenager.
“When I was 17, I had an entrepreneurship with a purse company called ‘Made in Petra’,” she says. “It heightened my interest in the fashion industry, motivating me to delve deeper into the subject.”
After her family moved to Miami from Venezuela to escape the political chaos in 2018, she attended Yeshiva University in New York to study marketing and business strategy. This taught her to negotiate and build relationships with clients.
After graduation, about eight months ago, just before turning 22, Gabriele founded Identite. She incorporated a sustainable approach by buying used clothing and material, revamping it with the help of Venezuelan seamstresses and selling it anew.
Photo courtesy Sally Gabriele
To obtainraw materials, Gabriele set up a donation center in Aventura, where she receives clothing in varying conditions – ranging from brand new pieces to slightly worn ones – all with the intention of repurposing them into something fresh and innovative.
Gabriele’s marketing is focused on utilizing social media to showcase her creations.
It was on Instagram that Identite’s first sale was made. The item in question was the Zebra Sweater – a blue and white garment crafted from a blend of cotton and polyester, priced at $37.
Photo courtesy by Sally Gabriele
Another piece that sold more recently is a blue jean skirt that went for $27.
“It is made of blue jeans that were donated from previous clothing drives,” said Gabriele. “In order to give these jeans a second life, we transform them with the help of a seamstress, where they take the old blue jeans and convert it into a new item.”
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the average American consumer discards 81.5 pounds of clothing annually, contributing to an astonishing 11.3 million tons of textile waste in landfills each year. That is about 85% of all textile waste generated in the country.
The brand is centered around the concept of “buy one, give one.” When customers purchase products, the profits are divided to cover various expenses such as warehouse, transportation, and other general costs, as well as buying the tools for altering clothing.
The clothing line is founded on the principles of self-love and empowerment. Each piece is designed to be worn multiple times and styled in a variety of ways – from dressing up to casual wear.
“Even our most basic pieces are closet staples to have to be able to wear for daily life that can be styled for special occasions,” Gabriele said.
Customers’ favorite products include bodysuits and pants.
Alexandra Toledano, one of the first loyal customers, states: “I love how the clothes make me feel. Not only are they comfortable to wear, but I love the detailing behind every graphic tee.”
Noami Russ, another active customer, adds: “The best part is that with a few accessories and make-up, my clothes are transformed into the hottest pieces on a night out with my friends. The clothes speak for themselves.”
Gabriele envisions expanding her business to reach even more people in need by creating job opportunities.
“My next collection will be up to date with the current craze in fashion,” Gabriele said. “We’ll be looking at new statement pieces, with new and improved affirmative phrases, with new surprises.”
