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

Hi Gorjana, so before we jump into specifics about your story and work, let’s start higher level. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I moved around as a kid so I associated change with being negative and really had formed an aversion to it. It would trigger almost like a PTSD response for me. As my husband and I started our business and I learned very quickly that change is the only constant thing in life. That only became more intense after we had kids and I realized that they are changing at warp speed as they grow up. Not only is change constant but for you to be successful you must embrace change and become highly adaptable. Its not something that was easy to adopt and learn, it took me a really long time but now i actually really welcome it. I enjoy the feeling of something new and embrace the opportunity to grow from it. I think about this current crazy time we are living in and I can say that being adaptable has been the number one factor to surviving. We have had to completely rethink everything from scratch and see how it fits in this new world we are living in. So learn to love change and be adaptable and I promise life will start to flow more even in the hardest times.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I don’t think I really have looked at what I do as art until recently. I have always struggled with seein myself as an artist maybe because I always thought if you were an artist you had to be a certain way and I am such a practical person and not that way. I approach designing form the lens of what make sense, what does someone actually want to wear, what is comfortable and what pieces will they want to wear everyday and love them as much a year later. I don’t come from what feels to me an airy approach to design my approach is pretty grounded. I have always felt the pressure to make up these elaborate inspiration concepts and mood boards and finally got to the point where I was like F this. That is not me so sticking to what makes me authentic is super important. I realized how much pressure I was putting on myself just because I had this preconceived idea. What inspires me are everyday woman that I interact with and want to make products that fit their lifestyle. Its still full of creativity its just not the sort of creativity that you typically see or that people typically refer to, which I think why it took me so long to accept myself as an artist. So you be you and own it!

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
I would definitely stay at the Chateau Marmont for the weekend. We have stayed there for years and there is just something really magical about the old school Hollywood vibe you feel there. I love Abbot Kinney and all the fun shops including ours:) I am a big foodie and pretty much plan my days around where I am eating. Gjelina to go is great for a quick bite, i love their Tuna sandwich. Clementine in Century City is my go to for lunch, they have the best sandwiches, the egg salad and Turkey Caliente are my favorite. Their desserts are amazing too, they have arguably the best Chocolate Chip cookies around!! My other go to for lunch is Botega Louie in downtown LA. OMG from the fresh bread to the pizza, the salads and to me one of the best pasta dishes ever, the Short Rib Pasta. Mulberry St Pizza is my favorite slice pizza, its old school and its delicious. Taverna Tony’s is Malibu is my favorite greek restaurant, the food is authentic and Tony the owner always there to greet you,

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband for sure! We have been on this journey together for almost 20 years and I could not do it with out him. Being able to share in the ups and downs of everyday life adn have someone understand what you are going through is everything. He is always there to encourage me to grow as a person and but also call me out on my BS:) Both are so valuable.

Website: gorjana.com
Instagram: @gorjana
Facebook: gorjana

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