Today we’d like to introduce you to Gonzalo Zulueta.
Zulueta Apparel originally started as a bikini brand, which focused on reducing women’s tan lines. Like any start up company, it was very difficult at the beginning with many different obstacles, but the concept sat well with the public and slowly began making a name. I managed to place the brand in Miami Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week and Miami Swim Week; we hosted the FIFA World Cup Halftime Show at The Wharf Miami with over 1,400 attendees.
After many disagreements with my business partner, he decided to leave the company from one day to the next. It was tough for about three months; then I decided to open ZULUETA APPAREL. The first line of Zulueta was called PSYCHO because of the hectic break of the previous company. It featured streetwear with its best-seller being Hoodies. I make all the rips by hand; therefore, each piece is unique. I caught many local celebrities attention Including David Chocarro, William Valdés, Barbara Muriel and more, which helped boost the brand.
Local barbershop “The Spot Barbershop” also gained interest in the unique hoodies and asked to collaborate as well. One of my top clients is Nikki Beach. They hired me to make their bridal shower robes. Because of the success of the robes, they have ordered over 300 in just five months! Other big corporations and schools in Miami began to hear about the brand’s quality and asked me to manufacture their uniforms and sportswear. Zulueta Apparel was Opened in February of 2019 and now not only manufactures their clothing, including but not limited to jeans, denim jackets, bikinis, but they also manufacture multinational company’s merchandise.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. In fact, I’d say it isn’t very easy. When I first started with bikinis, it was especially difficult because since I’m not a woman, I don’t understand the women’s body. I quickly found out that every woman has different shapes and sizes. That is why I decided to branch off.
When I branch off into doing more clothing such as jeans, hoodies and more, I did see more space to breathe. However, it was still a challenge and a lot of money. Since I didn’t have credit cards at the time, everything had to be paid cash. I worked uber every single day until 3/4 in the morning, including weekends. That was very difficult, especially when clients were very mean and nasty. When I wasn’t being for extra cash, I was a bus boy in a night club in Brickell. All in all, everything is a challenge because there is no book written that tells you how to do things. You have to figure it out on your own.
Tell us more about the business.
I am especially known for my innovative bikinis that reduce the tan lines and also the quality of the product. I think what most makes me stand out our my hoodies. Each hoodie is made by hand. All rips are made by me personally and each hoodie takes me about 30-45 minutes to make. This really makes the product different from anything you’ll buy in Zara or Forever 21 and definitely better quality.
I am very proud of the way I’ve come. Before I opened Zulueta Apparel on my own, I had a business partner that didn’t believe in his company and, in a way, negligently spent so much money knowing he was going to quit. This was very hard to recover from, but I am glad to say that two years after the fiasco my brand is being sold in 3 different stores, has collaborations with huge companies such as The Spot Barbershop and international companies such as Nikki Beach and has been sold across the United States and overseas in Mexico, Argentina and Switzerland.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I wouldn’t say luck is a key factor in my business. Hard work, dedication and determination is what defines the success of a company. If one combines all these plus working 24/7 for your company and really believing in your project, success will follow. For someone to tell me that I am “lucky” is an insult because I put every drop of energy and love into my work.
Pricing:
- Hoodies ($60-120)
- Denim Jackets ($120-300)
- Bikini ($40-100)
- Shirts ($25-40)
Contact Info:
- Website: Zuluetaapparel.com
- Phone: 3059049965
- Email: gonzalo@thegzapparel.com
- Instagram: zuluetaapparel
- Facebook: Zuluetaapparel
- Other: @gonzalozulueta (personal instagram)
Image Credit:
@Williamvaldes (male model wearing beige shirt and hoodie)
@dmargherite (bikini photographer)
@social_stylist_ (bikini stylist)
Laura Salvatore (Denim model)
Gonzalo Zulueta (me in my dressing room in telemundo)
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