Power To Her

A global fashion label with beginnings in a basement. A triumph over anxiety. A career born out of dissatisfaction with life. Three women — a designer, a reiki practitioner and a yoga guru — talk about taking control, and making it all happen for themselves

- Andrea Sim

DANIELLE GUIZIO, DESIGNER

On building a global fashion brand

Founder and designer of her eponymous fashion label, Danielle Guizio is the woman behind the power blazers and figure-hugging dresses you’ve seen on everyone from Bella Hadid to Blackpink. Today, Guizio retails in multi-label stores the world over (in Singapore, you’ll find her wares at Surrender), on e-tailers as well as the brand’s own online store. It’s hard to imagine but it was just in 2014 that the designer launched her label — armed with only a couple of T-shirts and a website — out of her parents’ basement. Here, she details her journey, from seeking out a creative circle of friends in high school to figuring out her path as a teen, and her decision-making process as she built a global brand.

‘‘Growing up on the outskirts of New York in the suburbs, I had always longed for a bit more of a lively, creative atmosphere. I really loved high school and had so much fun, but I didn’t necessarily ‘fit in’. I would dress in crazy outfits and often got teased for it as I didn’t really look or dress like my classmates. I was constantly begging my dad to drive me into the city just to spend the day there. I wanted to be surrounded by creative people who weren’t afraid to be themselves, who weren’t afraid to dress crazy or think outside the box, and who listened to whatever music they wanted — without fear of rejection or misunderstanding.