Meet Gail Friend of Gail Friend Designs for Edify Fashion in Tempe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gail Friend.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Gail. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always loved fashion! Seeing photos of myself three years old, I always had on frilly dresses and carrying a purse.

In high school and later jobs, I was always being asked: “why are you so dressed up.” It was just my thing. I also grew up being creative. I loved drawing and writing. After I got married, I became interested in sewing.

Mostly sewing home decor for our home. Life got busy raising a family, working, and being caretaker for my Mom. I always tried to keep taking art classes learning many things, but have always been drawn to textiles. I love the fabric. The textures and colors have limitless possibilities. The idea of taking a flat piece of fabric and creating a 3-dimensional garment that can be worn is just magic to me.

About three years ago I was at work, and my assistant was competing in a women’s fitness competition. She had just purchased her pageant style bikini and brought it to me because it needed mending. She told me about the suit and what she had paid for it. It started me thinking, this is something I needed to look into. We decided to start our own business making these bikinis for other competitors.

It was a lot of fun, but they were a lot of work and many hours of detailed handwork. One night, late at our studio trying to finish a suit, meeting a deadline, I said: “it has to be easier to make a wedding gown than these things!” It was about this time we moved our studio to the new FABRIC building in Tempe.

I learned of a fashion show that was going to be held there and decided to challenge myself and create a gown to show. It was the first dress I had ever made, and that was just two years ago. It was very challenging, but I loved every minute of it and was hooked. I then was selected to be one of the Community Night Designers for Phoenix Fashion Week last year. That was a great experience.

Soon after that, I met an amazing photographer, Emanuel Vaceanu, and we collaborated on a couple of photo shoots. We found we had similar ideas and beliefs about the fashion industry and are now working together on a fashion show for the fashion group he started called Edify Fashion, the show is on March 16th.

I am currently working on a nine-piece collection of elegant, very detailed gowns. We also will be doing an artistic photo shoot for each of these gowns. My journey has evolved, but I could not be happier for where I am now.

Has it been a smooth road?
I would say my biggest regret is starting this so late in life. I had so many life struggles that happened that kept me from being able to even believe what I am doing now was a possibility. I spent many years working 2 to 3 jobs to support my two daughters being a single mom.

Being a caregiver to my Mom, Health issues, The death of loved ones. That list can go on and on, and we all have had these life events. I have now come to a great place in my life. My girls are living their own successful lives, I have a great job, amazing friends who support me, and the stars have aligned.

I have a lot of catching up to do, but at this point, I have paid my dues. I always hear about these “rules” about how you have to go about a fashion business. At this point in my life, this is all about how and what I want to create on my terms. It’s extremely liberating!

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I still work with my partner, Christa on the competition bikinis as requested. But my passion is creating one of a kind special occasion dresses and gowns. I am completely self-taught, so I spend many many hours researching and learning new techniques I can incorporate in my gowns.

Most of my gowns have well over 100 pieces to them so it can take me several weeks to complete one. I think what I am most known for at this time is once my gown is completed is my collaboration with my photographer and creating a team to capture some amazing artistic images.

I am really proud of myself for taking the risk and putting my work out there. That has been hard for me, but I am super excited to keep creating my gowns and coming up with more creative, elaborate and detailed designs.

I believe what sets my work apart from others is my attention to detail and use of texture in my designs. My designs are very feminine, and I like to think I create them for another world where magic lives.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I am a native of Phoenix. Born and raised here. I have traveled, but this will always be home. I like that you meet so many interesting people who have settled here from all over the world. Hands down the worst part of our city is the traffic!!!

Contact Info:

• Address: 132 E 6th Street Tempe, AZ 85281
• Website: www.edifyfashion.com
• Phone: 480 343-6126
• Email: gailfrienddesigns@yahoo.com
• Instagram: @gail.friend.designs and @edifyfashion
• Facebook: @edifyfashion and @gailfrienddesigns

Image Credit:
Emanuel Smith Photos, Cieo Aubee, Vanessa Mapes

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.