We recently had the chance to connect with Ligia Moreira and have shared our conversation below.
Ligia, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
As a fashion designer, what makes me lose track of time and find myself again is the creative process. When I’m sketching, draping fabric, or bringing a concept to life from my culture and my experiences, time disappears. It’s in those quiet moments of creation where my mind is free, my intuition leads, and my purpose feels clear. Designing reconnects me to who I am, my roots, my vision, and why I started in the first place.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a fashion designer and creative director, and the founder of my brand, where fashion is a powerful form of storytelling. My work is deeply inspired by my culture, my roots, and my journey as a woman and a mother, blending heritage with contemporary design. Each collection is thoughtfully created to celebrate identity, confidence, and individuality, often through bold silhouettes, handcrafted details, and intentional upcycling.
What makes my brand special is the purpose behind it, I don’t just design clothing, I create pieces that carry meaning, history, and representation. My goal is to amplify underrepresented voices in fashion while building a platform that connects culture, community, and creativity. Right now, I’m focused on expanding my collections, collaborating with other creatives, and creating spaces and opportunities where diverse designers can be seen, supported, and celebrated.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that truly shaped how I see the world was realizing that my culture, my voice, and my story deserved space in fashion. For a long time, I didn’t see people who looked like me or shared my background represented on major platforms. Instead of seeing that as a limitation, it became my motivation. That realization shifted my perspective from wanting to fit into the industry to understanding the power of creating my own lane. It taught me that fashion isn’t just about clothing, it’s about visibility, identity, and using creativity to challenge narratives and open doors for others.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me resilience, humility, and deep self-trust in ways success never could. It forced me to slow down, listen to myself, and create from a place of truth instead of validation.
Through struggle, I learned patience, empathy, and the value of purpose over applause. Success can highlight the results, but suffering shapes the foundation it taught me why I create, who I create for, and how to stay grounded no matter how far the journey takes me.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is real, but it’s only a part of who I am. What people see is the strength, the creativity, and the vision but behind that is a woman who has faced doubt, growth, sacrifice, and constant evolution. The real me lives in the quiet moments of creation, in the late nights, in the intention behind every piece I design. My public image reflects my purpose, but my true self is found in the process, the passion, and the values I never compromise.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I would stop shrinking myself, overexplaining my vision, and pouring energy into things that don’t align with my purpose. I’d stop creating for approval and stop delaying bold ideas out of fear or perfectionism. Time is the most valuable fabric we have, and I’d choose to spend it only on meaningful work designing with intention, uplifting my community, and leaving a legacy that speaks long after I’m gone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.garifunafashion.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZnRzaAPOudpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAafa_QpwJhDLo6gG_u_vlwjgJmavE7d7LFKt_xSChFc_BI-u-8HjjRNEAIx_Qw_aem_HuG8j5jbQkyD9FFOuUEtUA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garifashion?igsh=NXJ0MGV5ZHo3d3Bj&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ABC29StcW/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
GARIFASHION
