Gabriela Hearst‘s fashion shows are memorable not only for the clothing and artisanal craft, but for their Instagrammable lunch spreads, which over the years have featured vegan Wellington, empanadas, farm-to-table crudites as artfully arranged as a garden and more. That instinct to feed her guests, which she has been doing since 2017, is directly related to her Latin heritage, she said. “You’re going to invite someone and you’re not going to offer them anything? What kind of manners is that,” said Hearst, 47, who grew up on a 17,000-acre sheep and cattle ranch on the pampas of Uruguay’s Paysandu region, which her father left to her when he died, and she still operates.

This is a woman who knows her food, and she’s not afraid to show it. She’s a culinary artist, a master of her craft. She’s not just a cook, she’s a storyteller. Her food is a window into her culture, her heritage, and her experiences. The woman’s passion for food is evident in her every move.

The gaucho unIform, including rugged leather pieces, ponchos, weaving and knits, and sturdy boots like the ones she used to buy as a girl from the farm supply store, are the building blocks of her brand. She works with several artisanal communities around the world, including Madres y Artesanas in Bolivia and Manos del Uruguay which empowers and employs women close to home. Her goal to promote the strength of women is another pillar of her business, which she’s explored in collections inspired by Surrealist artist Leonora Harrington and pioneering Irish artist, architect and furniture designer Eileen Gray. She named a blazer after activist Angela Davis, designed a ram ovaries sweater to benefit Planned Parenthood, and has dressed a who’s who of today’s powerful women, including designing First Lady Jill Biden’s 2021 inaugural evening dress and coat ensemble.

That belief in the power of women comes from her mom, Sonia Souza. “She liked to compete in rodeo, and one of my first images as a child is of her being thrown by a horse…boom, she falls, and she stands up, and her teeth are falling out, and there’s blood everywhere in her mouth, and she’s walking toward me,” Hearst said of the traumatic but also endearing memory. “Then she became a second Dan of tae kwon do, and I saw her side kicking and breaking pieces of wood.…So I was created in this environment when women could do things like men.”

in 1990, she was a young woman with a passion for fashion. She quickly learned that the fashion industry was a male-dominated field, and she faced numerous challenges as a woman in this industry. Hearst’s journey highlights the persistent struggle for women in the fashion industry, a struggle that continues today. Hearst’s early career in the U.S. was marked by a series of challenges. She faced discrimination, sexism, and a lack of opportunities.

This commitment to diversity extends beyond just casting. She actively seeks out diverse voices and perspectives in her team, ensuring that her creative process is inclusive and representative of the world around her. She believes that diversity is not just about representation, but also about fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion.

Authenticity is key.”

This statement highlights the importance of staying true to oneself in the fashion industry. It emphasizes that genuine self-expression and individuality are crucial for success in this competitive and often superficial world. The fashion industry is known for its emphasis on trends and fleeting fads.