There is probably no better example of the power of social media than designer Danielle Guizio. With no financial backing – save for a small amount from a tax return – Guizio started her business with just a smattering of graphic tees while operating out of her parents’ Jersey basement. After one of those designs made it onto Kylie Jenner, fans like Bella Hadid and Hailey Baldwin followed – and soon, the designer dropped out of LIM college in order to build her budding business.

Five years later, it’s clear to Guizio that she made the right decision. An early adapter of social media, she leveraged platforms like Twitter and Instagram to maximize sales and exposure through a clientele brands can only dream of. Now, her namesake collection consists of pieces that are staples of fashion-forward  wardrobes. Guizio has become known for her edgy aesthetic – think patent leather trench coats, tight corseted bustier tops, sweaters held together by safety pins, and cropped cardigans – but the collection is rapidly evolving. Her most recent offering, titled Corporate Deviance, presented a more elevated touch  that combined structured tailoring with her signature bondage, hardware, and sheer materials – perfect for work and play.

The New Jersey native has also expanded into menswear, accessories, swimwear, and even launched a collaboration with the FDNY. Her brand does indeed offer something for everyone. We caught up with the rising talent to hear how she got her start in the industry.

photo by Kelly Shami

What drew you to the fashion industry?

At a young age I was always hanging around older people. When I was in high school, a lot of my older friends had already gotten into the industry. I was surrounding myself around my sister’s group of friends too who were at the time probably in their mid-20’s with already-established jobs in the industry. I knew I wanted to be doing what they were doing. I admired their hustle even at a young age and how they wore their passions on their sleeve. I loved high school, but I didn’t enjoy doing homework and assigned essays that had little relation to what I was passionate about. I understood why I had to be doing them but was pretty angst-y about it. What I found most exciting was seeing my friends and knowing that I could get out of high school and finally work towards a profession where I felt fulfilled.

Who do you design for? Who’s your customer?

I firstly design with myself in mind. It stems from a mood or feeling, I’m in or when I’m reaching for something in my closet that doesn’t exist. The next step is keeping in mind the diverse group of women and men that wear my clothes as well. If I just had myself in mind, that wouldn’t be fair. I always try to meet a good common ground. For instance, my more conservative customer doesn’t want to be dressing in a sheer dress, but our customer who is more inclined to dress sexier doesn’t stray from sheer. I feel we provide a variety of product that can fit into the multifaceted lifestyle of the new-age woman.

How would you describe your label to someone not familiar with your brand?

Similar to how I design with many moods in mind, I would describe my label as multifaceted: feminine, bold, classic and modern. My brand has evolved as I have grown, and I like to think that my customers are also growing and maturing with me.

What inspires you?

Inspiration is easy to pinpoint for me, but harder to explain out loud. It really is a mixture of all that makes up life I guess. I don’t seek inspiration all in one place, it kind of follows as I go – anything from history to film, music, and art…Something from the past or even a vision into the future.

What has been your most memorable career-defining moment for you?
I’m super-grateful for even the smallest of strides I’ve made daily, weekly, and monthly. But I would say that joining Forbes 30 Under 30 has stuck out to me the most in recent times. It’s not necessarily the measure of success but more so what the achievement symbolizes to me personally. I always believed in myself, but years ago, I didn’t think that would be something I could obtain. In high school, I had guidance counselors who told me that I couldn’t get into certain colleges because of my A.D.D. So when you’re limited at such a young age, your brain begins to believe that. Thankfully, my parents taught me to always push into overdrive regardless of what anyone says.

What’s your advice for other young designers or someone starting their own business?
It may sound cliché but it holds true: You can achieve anything you want in life, period. But…it doesn’t stop there. In order to achieve what you want out of life, you have to work extremely hard. You have to take big risks to receive big rewards. There are a lot of responsibilities and self-discipline that go into starting a business. Stay true to your beliefs and hold on strong to your vision. With passion and perseverance, you will come out on top.

What’s next for the label? Any upcoming projects?
As our brand begins to expand further worldwide, we’ll be introducing more categories in terms of footwear, accessories, and so on. We have a shoe we’ve been working on  with Reebok and a few other exciting collaborations on the horizon.