Meet Gabrielle Haywood | Creative Visionary Officer

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

Hi Gabrielle, why did you pursue a creative career?
I don’t really think I pursued a creative career, I believe it was a natural flow for my life. As a child, I can remember my mom saying, “that child can play for hours by herself, she creates her own world” She was absolutely correct. I would create cities with paper dolls throughout our den. I would either draw paper dolls or cut them out of my Mom’s nurse’s catalogs. I would write plays as a child that mimicked an Agatha Christie novel. I was always creating something and was bored if I wasn’t creating. As an adult, I learned I am probably more right brain than left brain and creativity is one of my right brain attributes that I celebrate. In pursuing my purpose in life, the natural path was ultimately in the creative fields.

What should our readers know about your business?
I thought I just wanted to write stage plays and screenplays until I accidentally became a Fashion Designer. Some years ago now, I was experiencing excruciating physical pain and nothing I tried seemed to alleviate the pain. I started taking aqua therapy sessions and water aerobics to help alleviate the pain. When I would go to aqua therapy, I put together a makeshift outfit that consisted of black leggings with my swimsuit over the leggings and I topped it off with a t-shirt. I already didn’t feel well, so not looking good didn’t help much. I wanted a brightly colored swimsuit that covered more of my thighs and searched all over and could not find anything like what I desired. So I created it! Hence, my third company, Virginia Dere LLC was born. I created our premiere product, the KneeKini, a capri-length swimsuit designed with bold bright color patterns for the woman who wants a little more modest coverage in the leg area but does not want to forfeit style. Was it easy, heck no. I was totally green in the world of apparel. I started out thinking I would just find a Seamstress to make my prototype, not so. I didn’t know that all Seamstresses do not necessarily know how to work with stretch fabric, or have the particular sewing machine to do so. It was a daunting task just to get one prototype made. I also didn’t know that it could possibly take upwards of $100,000 to start a fashion line, of which I did not have. I began by educating myself in the industry in order to lay a good foundation for this particular business. I was told by my first advisor from a business class that I took, that I should basically stay in my lane. She told me to stick to theatre production and that I probably wouldn’t be able to compete with the big swimwear companies. I understand where she was coming from in terms of giving me the pros and cons and the reality of starting a new business; so I took that into consideration and moved forward with my Swimwear line. I learned that my why had to be bigger than my fear. I learned that even though this particular venture was new for me, I still had an idea, and according to my market research, was a needed one. So I kept going. I want the world to know why I am so passionate about bringing this brand to market.  Growing up I learned to swim at an early age. My brothers and I were always at the local park pool, we had swimming in school, we went to the beach often and my mom made sure we knew how to swim. Although my mom took us to the beach often; at that time, I never knew that my mom never learned to swim. She never got in the water but I assumed as a kid that she just brought us there to have fun so she just enjoyed watching us. Because my Mom made sure her kids knew how to swim and she never learned due to segregation; I honor her by naming the company Virginia Dere after her. I want to not just be a brand, but an advocate for more Blacks, Hispanics and people of color learning and knowing how to swim. I believe swimming is a life skill that we should all know, no matter your cultural background. I want women to have something pretty to wear in the water and feel good in it. But it is just as important for me to give back, by portions of our proceeds going to local neighborhood pools for swimming lessons and lifeguard training.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I moved to Pittsburgh PA from Atlanta GA about eight years ago. To experience the beauty of Pittsburgh, the first place I would take someone is Mt Washington. The view of the city from Mt Washington is breathtaking. The skyline is amazing and one I think everyone should experience. We would have to visit a favorite spot of mine, Burgatory. Burgatory has fantastic burgers but their Shakes are like actual meals. Before my oldest brother passed, he flew from Atlanta to Pittsburgh just to get another shake and burger. Another place that makes the best Seafood Crepe this side of heaven is Deluca’s diner. It’s so fresh and the seafood is real, not imitation, at least it tastes real While here, I would also want them to experience the Himalayan Salt Cave at Peace, Love and Zen. Not only relaxing but purifying. I would probably check out Rivers Casino, not for the gambling but for the band or DJ that plays all the oldies that I absolutely love. I love going there just to listen to some really good music. I can’t forget my favorite Jamaican spot, 876 Island Spice, who to me, makes the best oxtails in my neighborhood. Can’t speak for the entire city but for me, their oxtails are to live for! And of course, I have to show them where the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates play as a good tour guide should.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, Almighty God, for without Him, I would have given up a long time ago. My Mom, who encouraged and supported my creative talents all my life. She was my biggest supporter and my biggest Shero. My daughter, Chinzia, who was on the ride with a mom she may not have understood, but everytime I looked at her face, I managed to keep pressing forward in order to leave a legacy for her that she could be proud of. My ride or die husband, who loves and supports me on this crazy journey. Who holds me up and helps me every step of the way. My brother, for believing in his little sister like none other and being the best big brother a girl could ever ask for. And his beautiful wife Sandy for supporting me and rooting for me to win. All my girlfriends! I have been truly blessed with covenant girlfriends who love, support and believe in each other and that is priceless and something I will always cherish. My good friends, whose love and support keep me moving forward. The ladies of “CEO Champions”, my morning “Huddle”. All my die hard prayer warriors who have lifted me up in prayer and consistently encourage me along the way. The former Fishers of Men under the leadership of Elder Franklin Kimble, who pushed us into our purpose and purposed us for Entrepreneurship. In Him Ministries, under Deneen Williams for their sacrifice and the power of prayer. My Mentors and Advisors, truly the best in their fields.  And all the organizations including New Sun Rising, AlphaLab Gear, Origins, eForever, Paramount Pursuits and Bridgeway Capital. I tried not to list names in case I unintentionally forget someone. You all know who you are and I love each and everyone of you and I don’t think I would have gotten this far without you!

Website: www.kneekini.com, www.virginiadere.com

Facebook: KneeKini Swimwear