Model Gabby Fé @iamgabbyfe knows her way around the center stage. She has modeled for big names like Target, Calvin Klein, and has been featured in a global commercial for TJ Maxx.
In addition, she is multi-talented as a singer and songwriter. You can check out a few of her songs on Spotify. And as I write this piece, she continues to rack up her accomplishments, reminding me that those mentioned above may be just the beginning for Gabby Fé.
Now living in LA as an NYC transplant, Gabby is getting accustomed to more than just the sunshine. “I am working on getting to know people and trying to make new friends,” she shared with me. I cannot imagine that with her easy demeanor and warm personality this will take long. Gabby is graceful and elegant in an approachable way. Almost like you could meet her for lunch wearing bad overalls and a baseball cap kind of way. Nonetheless, I was still a bit star struck when we met IRL.
In between auditioning and doing casting calls, Gabby penciled in a phone interview with me back in January. We had chatted regarding her involvement in the BreakFree NYFW showcase, and it seemed everyone was coming at the show from a slightly different perspective. Given that the event was driven to raise awareness on mental health and addiction, I was curious to know her WHY.
The Impact of Addiction
“I was in a relationship with a man, I guess you could call him my love interest, and we eventually moved in together. At the time, I knew that he struggled with some mental health issues, and he had a history of bipolar disorder and ADHD. As it turned out, he also had an addiction to opioids.” she said. “I was unaware of how sick he was.” I reassured her that given my experience, people with addiction issues become masters of disguise, and we hide it even from the people we live with.
Unfortunately, as many of our stories go, he could not hide it forever. Gabby’s boyfriend ended up passing away almost right before her eyes. She described some of the emotions she endured. It sounded like a mix of grief, confusion, and shock. “I had no idea,” she admitted. “I just did NOT know the signs to look for.” Again, I reassured her. Most people don’t. That is why it’s essential to raise awareness on these issues.
Hence her participation in the Break Free show. Gabby modeled for multiple designers and even did an acoustic set of her songs in between. This was a cause she was passionate about. And she was remarkable. Strutting the runway in everything from a high-cut bathing suit to a shimmery gold dress, she rocked it out of the park.
How We Portray Ourselves to the World
Gabby and I talked about her insight into the modeling industry and her experiences putting her body composition on blast. I shared with her that I had long since struggled with disordered eating and self-image. She told me “There are so many models who are working or participating in this space, and we don’t get to talk about disordered eating, bulimia, anorexia, and the environment that promotes it.”
Despite her personal story, Gabby still must remain a solid professional. She said “As a model, I still have a job to do. Our job is our bodies. Our looks. It’s how we portray ourselves to the world.”
Models are required to stuff it down and endure pain silently it seems. Gabby went on to say “There has not been an outlet. It’s time that models get to speak up. A lot of us in fashion are struggling.” I agreed. I love that these conversations are being held. When referring to the show’s creative director, Alexandra Nyman @iamladycat, Gabby asserted, “She is being very bold, and she isn’t afraid to address the elephant in the room.”
There is something to be said about this kind of bravery. It’s not a strut-the-runway kind of bravery, and it’s a David and Goliath kind of bravery. To throw a small stone at a mammoth beast. Especially in a glossy, sometimes unforgiving industry. We don’t like to talk about the scary parts. But I am here for it all. And I appreciate Gabby Fe and her candor immensely. Keep going, Gabby!
Grace & Glam,
Kate
“You can’t be loved if you can’t be found, and you can’t get heard if you don’t make a sound.”
WALK YOUR TALK: Walking Through Recovery: My Real Life Experience As A Runway Model @ Break Free New York Fashion Week by Sober Curator & Fashion Editor Kate Vitela
WALK YOUR TALK: The Merging of Mental Health & Fashion, An Intimate Conversation With Alexandra Nyman of Soberocity, The Beauty & Brains Behind Break Free NYFW Fashion Show
Resources are available
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
1 Comment
Wonderful article. Gabby is so multi-talented and it’s fantastic that she had the Break Free NYFW platform to showcase her gifts. And Alex is a BAMF for basically saying “Screw society’s beauty standards, I’m showing that every body is a beautiful body” in her LadyCat Fashion runway show. Much love to both of them and to you too Kate. xo