Meet Ginger “Gigi” Damon | Designer & Protective Motorcycle Couture

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ginger “Gigi” Damon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ginger “Gigi”, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
How do I think about risk? Risk is provocative. It changes you, it compliments who you have become. I think risk brings your life into focus and propels you forward. Risk takers are unconventional imaginative people. I analyze and fantasize about how things can be better or advocate forward thinking for a cause, idea or philosophy. I feel risk is about change. What role has taking risks played in your life/career? My personal experience with risk has been “why?” Why this? why that? I have always questioned the status quo and then acted upon it. Trendsetters, innovators, disruptor are by definition “risk takers”. I believe with Gigi Montrose Moto Couture it is not about just selling products, it is about changing peoples minds and opinions. I am creating a new lifestyle and culture for women motorcyclist, bicyclist, scooters, e-bikes etc. I am advocating positive role models for women and myself. Giving definition to women thru this medium of women’s motorcycle apparel takes us outside the box and highlights our strength and femininity. It creates balance and brings out the best in women and the best in men. True community strength lifts us all up to be better people.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the owner/designer for Gigi Montrose Moto Couture. What sets me apart is: I am taking the time to properly design and fit motorcycle apparel for women. I am “making motorcycling attractive”. What I almost proud of and excited about, are the relationships I have built with Gigi Montrose Moto Couture. I have built a strong internal community and that shows in the external product. None of this has been easy because, I am doing something unconventional and taking risks. It has been the most fun and the happiest I have ever been!! I have held down two full time jobs and work weekends full time on the company which sometimes involves travel. I have flown into LAX and drove straight to work. If it weren’t for my friends and community who laughed and cried with me, they gave me continued strength and support; they kept me on my path to perservere. The lessons I have learned are; my instincts are a lot stronger than I think. I have had to trust myself in ways I didn’t know I could. Most importantly, to strive for better, to reach higher. My brand is an extension of me of my beliefs and my life’s experiences- the best of it all and I get to share that with the world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Adventure time! California is great for all my motorcycle framily (friends who are your family) First off motorcycles are involved. For a fun little all day jaunt, I love going thru Ortega highway to Temecula and my favorite place is Doffo Winery and meet up with the Damas Republic, a female riding group! Another good ride is thru Malibu hang out with some friends at the iconic Rock Store or go up to Ojai. On a longer trip, Carmel for the Quail Motorcycle Gathering. My favorite event of them all! To hideaway and relax, Cambria is fantastic. In the motorcycle community there are so many wonderful people. They are the destination, from my dear friends in SF to San Diego.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many women who have inspired me and/or made me the woman I am today. They are: My Aunt Virginia, Gay Miller, Geri Cuzena, Millie Greenburg, Eunice Kennedy-Shriver, Arianna Huffington, Michelle Obama.

Website: www.gigimontrose.com
Instagram: gigimontrose
Linkedin: Ginger Damon
Twitter: @gigimontrose
Facebook: Gigi Montrose and Gigi Montrose Moto Couture

Image Credits
Travis Shinn Eric Zimmerman