We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Daisy Barbel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Daisy Barbel below.
Daisy Barbel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
Nothing could’ve prepared me for being a business owner. I’ve had an interest in fashion since I was five years old, sketching dresses on any piece of paper I could find, watching runway shows with wide eyes, and making dresses for my toy dolls. I always knew I’d have my own brand one day. But I didn’t expect that dream to start becoming a reality so soon.
The last time I seriously considered getting a traditional job in the fashion industry was a few months after I graduated in 2023. Reality hit fast. There weren’t many opportunities locally, and every promising position out of state came with a price tag that felt impossible to cover—moving expenses, new rent, the works. It felt like I was being asked to sacrifice everything just to get my foot in the door. I remember sitting in my sewing studio, surrounded by mood boards and fabric swatches from my senior collection, feeling stuck. Was I being unrealistic? Would it be easier to just take a stable, 9-to-5 job—maybe even outside of fashion—just to make ends meet?
That was a tough moment. The life of a “starving artist,” as some would call it, is full of emotional highs and lows. Some days I wake up incredibly motivated, full of ideas and drive. On other days, I wonder if I’m in over my head. But despite all of that, I’m truly passionate about what I do. Even in the hard moments, there’s this fire in me that doesn’t go out. I may not have all the answers, but I know I’m on the right path. And no matter how tempting the idea of a regular job might be during the lows, nothing compares to the fulfillment I get from building something of my own, piece by piece.
Daisy Barbel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Since I was a little girl, I’ve been surrounded by creativity. I grew up in a home full of innovators—people who weren’t afraid to express themselves or think outside the box. I was especially influenced by the women in my life: elegant, stylish, and confident. They each had their own unique flair, and that energy stayed with me. Fashion was always on my mind. I started sketching at a young age, and while my dad thought it might just be a phase I’d grow out of, I never did.
By the time I was 15, it was clear that this wasn’t just a hobby. My mom recognized how serious I was and enrolled me in sewing classes to help me take my passion to the next level. At 16, I organized and showcased my very first fashion show—with every single piece designed and made by me. That moment solidified everything. I knew then that this was more than a dream—it was my purpose.
I eventually went on to study Fashion Design at Savannah College of Art & Design, knowing that formal education would only elevate my craft. I wanted to learn everything from construction to concept development and absorb as much as I could from my professors and peers. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, and I was right—fashion school definitely wasn’t for the weak. But it pushed me in all the right ways. It challenged me, shaped me, and taught me so much about who I am, both as a creative and as a person.
Today, I design elegant, bold, and expressive pieces that empower women to feel beautiful, confident, and seen. My brand specializes in eveningwear, prom dresses, and bridal fashion—each piece is crafted to celebrate individuality while remaining timeless. What sets me apart is the personal storytelling woven into every design. I don’t just create clothing—I create wearable art with meaning and emotion behind it.
What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come at such a young age. Every collection, every custom piece, every client who walks away glowing in something I made—it’s all a reminder that I’m living my purpose. I want potential clients, followers, and supporters to know that this isn’t just fashion for me—it’s heart, hustle, and heritage. I’m building something real. And this is only the beginning.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
One of the biggest tests of my resilience came during my final year of college, when I decided to officially start my business, right in the middle of the busiest and most demanding time of my academic journey. I was deep into developing my senior collection, which was already an intense and emotionally charged process, and at the same time, I was designing and creating custom prom dresses for clients. It was prom season, deadlines were coming at me from every direction, and I was trying to build a brand from the ground up while still being a full-time student.
There were so many moments when I wanted to give up. I was exhausted—mentally, physically, and emotionally. I remember staying up through the night sewing, only to wake up a few hours later for class, then come back and dive right into client fittings and revisions. It felt like I was pouring everything I had into two worlds at once, and there were days when I honestly didn’t know if I could keep going.
But in those moments, I leaned on God. I prayed for strength constantly—sometimes in tears at my sewing machine, just asking Him to help me get through one more task, one more day. And He did. Every time I thought I had nothing left to give, I found a second wind. My faith carried me through that season.
What’s beautiful about that time is how both experiences started to feed each other. I was able to take the skills I was learning in school and apply them directly to the prom dresses I was making. But it worked the other way, too. The challenges I faced while creating those custom prom gowns—working with different body types, collaborating with clients in real-time, problem-solving on the fly—sharpened my instincts and pushed me to elevate my senior collection in ways I never expected.
That season taught me what I was truly capable of. It reminded me that resilience isn’t just about powering through—it’s about being resourceful, staying grounded in your purpose, and trusting in something bigger than yourself. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life, but it’s also the reason I’m here today, doing what I love with even more passion, faith, and confidence.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the need for everyone’s approval. Especially in fashion school, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to please your professors, classmates, or even what you think the industry expects from you. I found myself constantly wondering if what I was creating was “good enough”. But over time, I realized that chasing approval was pulling me away from the very thing that made my work special—me.
In school, you’re surrounded by so many different opinions and perspectives, and while feedback is important, I had to learn that not all of it needed to shape my identity as a designer. One of the biggest takeaways from that experience is this: fashion can be taught, but passion cannot. And if I’m passionate about what I’m doing—if my work comes from a real, authentic place—then it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.
At one point, I really did try to morph myself into what I thought they wanted me to be. I adjusted my style, second-guessed my instincts, and lost a little bit of the spark that made my designs mine. But once I let go of the need to be validated and decided to create from a place of truth, something shifted. Ironically, that’s when people—including my professors—started to really appreciate and respect my work. Because it was real.
That experience stuck with me, and it’s something I now carry into my business. As a designer and a brand, I stay true to my vision, my aesthetic, and my voice. I create what feels right to me—and that authenticity is what connects with my clients. Approval is nice, but alignment with your purpose? That’s everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://libelatelier.com/
- Instagram: libelatelier
Image Credits
Photographers: Sarah Eaves, Tim Rodgers
Models: Jordan Binney, Alexis Brooks, Leilani Blanco, Jessica Bedna