Mauva Gacitua, founder of Gacitua Bridal. (Courtesy of Gacitua Bridal)
A Black-Owned Boutique Helping Every Woman Feel Beautiful
Mauva Gacitua’s shop offers bridal gowns and evening wear designed to evoke confidence and joy in whomever comes by.
Mauva Gacitua has always worked in fashion – and we do mean always. She began designing clothes as a little girl, then modeled before eventually building a career as a designer and wardrobe stylist. In 2019, she decided to take a leap of faith and launch Gacitua Bridal, an inclusive boutique that offers bridal gowns for every body, designed to make all women feel empowered and confident on their wedding day. The Chatsworth, California-based entrepreneur is going strong, and continuing to scale her business while finding ways to work with manufacturers and artisans who can maintain her high standards for quality.
Here’s our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.
How is your business different from others in your industry?
I blend fashion psychology with contemporary culture to create pieces that evoke confidence and help you tap into your inner power – so that you truly feel as good as you look. I didn’t want to focus purely on trends or aesthetics, which is why I decided to focus on the emotional impact of our dresses and jumpsuits.
Tell us about your biggest success so far.
Designing our latest collection. Our Spring/Summer 2025 collection embodies everything Gacitua Bridal stands for — a perfect blend of femininity, trendiness and timeless elegance. We wanted to create something bold yet alluring. Seeing the positive reception from both brides and the broader fashion community has been incredibly rewarding, because they get that we want to help women feel beautiful and confident. It’s affirming.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
Scaling up Gacitua Bridal while managing the complexities of production and supply chain logistics has been complicated, especially as we work toward maintaining our high standards for quality. As we have expanded, ensuring consistent craftsmanship became crucial. To address this, we’ve built strong relationships with a select group of artisans, manufacturers and suppliers who understand our vision and commitment to quality. We then implemented rigorous quality checks at every stage, from design to final production, which has helped maintain our standards and streamline both our communication and production processes.
Recently, we became an NMSDC-certified Minority Business Enterprise – which has opened up new distribution opportunities for us. We now plan to expand our reach and explore partnerships with larger retailers and distributors who similarly value diversity and inclusion.
Have you experienced any significant personal situations that have affected your business decisions?
I’ve experienced both subtle and overt forms of discrimination, which can create doubt and insecurity – and even dampen the successes I’ve worked so hard to achieve. There have been times when I was overlooked for opportunities that I’m clearly qualified for. I’ve also faced more obvious moments, from dealing with snickers and people saying, “Does she really think she can succeed?” or statements like, “We have no room for new designers,” which came from a place of bias.
These experiences have compelled me to make more intentional decisions about who I work with and where I direct my energy. I’ve also become more determined to seek out opportunities and collaborations where I’m genuinely valued. And, I’ve become an advocate for greater inclusivity within the bridal industry, because talent should be the defining factor – not bias.
What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs?
Define your end goal from the beginning, and get help determining what it’ll take to achieve it. When I started, my primary focus as a creative was designing the next beautiful gown. But I soon realized that success in business requires a lot more than just having a stunning product — it involves strategic planning, research and execution. If I could go back, I’d invest more time and resources into understanding the business side early on, so the path to growth would be clearer once the designs were ready for the market.
How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?
I start sketching. It’s my way of channeling the emotions I’m experiencing into something beautiful. As I put pencil to paper, I envision how the gown will flow on the body. I let my creativity take over and the design style comes naturally as I continue to draw. It’s both a comforting process and a reminder of why I do what I do: To create beauty, even in challenging times.
What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days?
I am inspired by so many songs and singers, like Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Mikey Spice, Juice Newton, ABBA and Mahalia Jackson. I can play their songs over and over.
Who is your most important role model?
My mother. Her determination, tenacity, and strength have always been a guiding force in my life. She has an incredibly positive nature, and an unwavering belief in triumph – no matter the circumstances. Watching her overcome challenges with grace and resilience inspired me to build my business with the same spirit. Her influence is evident in every step of my journey as an entrepreneur.
Instagram: @GacituaBridal
Facebook: @GacituaBridal
TikTok: @GacituaBridal
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