Meet Gabi Lee | Small Business Owner & Creative Director

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

Hi Gabi, how do you think about risk?
Risks are crucial to a creative business. Everything has been done and competition is a beast. A business worth starting has to offer something new and if it’s new, it’s likely a risk. Risk has generally paid off in my career endeavors and the boldness to lean into my difference has become a necessary discomfort for success. I have learned that it must be paired with patience. Risky moves won’t be immediately understood or instantly profitable. They require foresight and perseverance.

What should our readers know about your business?
We are proud to offer radically inclusive and creatively alternative bridal fashion, along with luxury service and unparalleled client care. We are a family business, but we have big dreams and an amazing, growing team. I am proud of our reputation as a kind and low-key spot with the coolest gowns in town. We also know each of our designers personally and work with them closely to create custom looks. We are approachable but have high standards and we are down to earth but seriously know our stuff. We are also very much an Atlanta business. We intend to grow here as opposed to taking our operational national, because we just love this place. We believe Southern brides deserve better, more honest and transparent bridal businesses and an ethical shopping option for such a special purchase. We work with color, separates, all sizes, and all bodies that wanna wear a dress. I want every bride who thinks dress shopping isn’t for them or that their dream gown must not exist in a reasonable size and price point, to know we are here whenever they are ready.

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?
Oh wow. This is my dream assignment… and a whole week, woah! Well food is most important and I’m gonna pretend like everything isn’t shuttered for Covid. For a small slice of my side of town, I would do a day walking Little 5 to Sweet Auburn to Oakland Cemetery. Start with a Grizz at El Myr, shopping at Psycho Sisters, Crystal Blue and Criminal. Maybe a beer at Yacht Club or hush puppies at the Porter. Then a stop at the one-man cell off Edgewood and show off the Antebellums in Inman Park. Dog-leg over to Auburn Avenue to visit The MLK Center, Dr. & Mrs. King’s crypt, and Ebenezer Baptist Church National Park. Then pop into Church for Sangria and sacrilege before heading to the Krog Tunnel. Some of the city’s best art for Forward Warrior surrounds the Cabbagetown tunnel. Grab a burger and bottled coke at Little’s and then head to Oakland Cemetery for the best sunset. End the night with improv at Dad’s Garage and dancing at Sound Table (RIP). Other favorite spots in the city include The Center for Puppetry Arts, the Atlanta History Center, the Center for Civl Rights, and like a dozen chicken places… but that’s for another day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The designers I work with now, I once learned under and from. I think it’s a great way to know your industry and it’s been an integral part of my professional education. My mentor is Elizabeth Dye, an entrepreneur and pioneer in the independent American bridal movement. She is also my first fashion boss and a dearest friend. But I have learned for several of the our design partners and vendors. They share similar values and challenges and run business that I obviously admire. My parents are also both entrepreneurs and very intelligent business minds. They are also my business partners! They deserve all the credit in the world for encouraging confident and compassionate leadership.

Website: www.thesentimentalistatl.com
Instagram: instagram.com/thesentimentalistatl
Facebook: facebook.com/thesentimentalistatl
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-sentimentalist-atlanta

Image Credits
Personal photo by Cori Carter All other photos by Savannah Sturkie