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Corporate to Couture - Part II

Writer's picture: Helene de TaeyeHelene de Taeye

The Birth of Albachiara: Fabiola’s Leap into Fashion and Entrepreneurship


After nearly three decades of navigating the high-paced, male-dominated world of tech, Fabiola  made a bold decision: at 50, she shifted gears completely and launched her own fashion brand, Albachiara.

fabiola, fashion entrepreneur

The Moment of Change: From Tech Executive to Fashion Entrepreneur

Fabiola’s decision to leave behind her corporate life wasn’t made lightly. After years of leading high-level projects, managing demanding clients, and keeping up with the relentless pace of technological change, she realized it was time for something different. “I analyzed the situation and thought, ‘I’m 50, I need to slow down—but I don’t want to stop,’” she explains. The tech world had been good to her, but she was ready for a new challenge.


Fabiola had always been drawn to fashion, even during her corporate career. “People in technology often don’t pay much attention to what they wear, but I always did,” she says with a laugh. “I love mixing colors, experimenting with styles—it’s part of who I am.” This personal love of style, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit, led her to the idea of starting Albachiara, a brand focused on chic, sophisticated, and timeless pieces.


The Italian Connection

Launching Albachiara wasn’t without its hurdles. Initially, Fabiola planned to produce her clothing line in Peru, but she quickly realized that local manufacturers weren’t suited to her needs. “Producing locally required large volumes, but I wanted to create smaller, more exclusive collections,” she recalls. 


Just as she was questioning her next steps, a friend from Italy reached out, offering a perfect solution. “She told me, ‘I’ve been producing clothes in Italy for 30 years. Why don’t we partner up?’ It felt like the missing piece had just fallen into place,” she says. It was a stroke of luck that set Albachiara on a path toward high-quality, Italian-made garments.


fabiola and her partner mary at the albachiara launch event
Fabi & Mary at the Albachiara launch event

This partnership has become the foundation of Albachiara’s unique identity—Italian quality and her partner’s 30 years of experience in the fashion world, combined with Fabiola’s vision for casual-chic fashion, designs and colors. The brand’s pieces are produced in Italy using carefully selected fabrics, then imported to Peru, where they’re made available to style-conscious consumers. “It’s been an incredible journey, learning about textiles, patterns, and the nuances of production. I’m having so much fun, even though it’s a lot to learn,” she says, her enthusiasm shining through.


Fashion with a Conscience

For Fabiola, it’s not enough for Albachiara to make beautiful clothes; the brand has to do good, too. From the start, she’s been committed to ensuring that Albachiara operates with a sense of social and environmental responsibility. “We decided to work only with manufacturers that treat their employees well, and we use biodegradable packaging for our products,” she explains. While this approach is more expensive, Fabiola believes it’s non-negotiable. “It’s about protecting the environment, even if it costs a bit more. It’s the right thing to do.”


She has big plans for Albachiara’s social impact as well. Inspired by the communal spirit she’s witnessed in Peru, where communities come together to cook for families in need, Fabiola envisions a future where Albachiara plays a role in giving back. “I want to bring together other fashion brands to support these ‘communal pots’ and help families in need,” she says. “It’s about more than just selling clothes; it’s about making a difference.”


Learning the New Rules

Starting a fashion brand in the digital age has been a new adventure for Fabiola. Having spent her career in the world of B2B technology, she’s now adjusting to the dynamics of B2C marketing—social media, influencers, and building an online presence. “I’ve worked with influencers for the first time, and wow, I never thought it would be so expensive!” she jokes. But she sees it as an opportunity to keep learning and evolving. “I’m constantly thinking about how to reach my customers, what stories to share on Instagram, and how to make our online presence stronger.”


She’s also drawing from her tech background to shape Albachiara’s marketing strategy. “Digital marketing is the future, and I’m using everything I learned in my corporate life to build this brand,” she explains. Her goal is to create a digital community around Albachiara, where customers not only buy clothes but also connect with the brand’s values and story. “I want to talk about fabrics, about fashion trends, and create a space where people feel like they’re a part of what we’re building,” she says.


an albachiara model in a flowery pink dress
Albachiara's bold & elegant style

Dreaming Big: Albachiara’s Future Plans

For Fabiola, the ultimate vision for Albachiara is to take the brand beyond Peru’s borders. “Next year, we want to expand to Ecuador and the United States. These markets are easier for us to enter because they don’t have complicated customs,” she says. But her dreams don’t stop there. During a recent trip to Europe to visit her son, she was thrilled when strangers complimented her on her Albachiara dresses. “I was waiting for the tram in Rotterdam, and a woman came up to me and said, ‘Your dress is beautiful—where did you get it?’ I told her, ‘It’s my brand!’ It felt like a sign,” she recalls with a smile.


Her ultimate goal is to bring Albachiara to Europe, establishing it as a global brand that combines style with a deep commitment to sustainability and social impact. She’s also considering expanding into home decor, bringing the same elegant, thoughtful design to a new category. “It’s all about keeping the imagination alive, dreaming of new possibilities,” she says. “That’s what makes this journey so exciting.”

an albachiara model in a dress with a green leaf pattern

A Legacy for Her Son—and an Inspiration for Others

Albachiara is more than a business to Fabiola—it’s a legacy for her son and a testament to her belief that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. “It’s everything I learned during my life that I now put to work for my own company, for me, my legacy.”


Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is grounded in practicality. “You don’t just wake up one day and start a company. You have to gather knowledge, understand the market, and do your research,” she says. Yet she also believes in the magic of dreaming. “When you dream, you start building your puzzle, and sometimes the pieces you need come to you in ways you don’t expect. That’s how it happened with Albachiara.”


Embracing the Unknown, Finding Joy in Every Step

Fabiola’s journey from tech leader to fashion entrepreneur is a testament to her fearless spirit and her unwavering belief in the power of dreaming big. “I’m 50, and I’m still dreaming. I’ll never stop,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. “Life is like a chess game. You make your moves, you think ahead, and you keep playing. And most importantly, you have fun.”


With Albachiara, Fabiola is proving that reinvention is possible at any stage, and that with the right mix of passion, resilience, and a little bit of magic, anything is within reach.


“Let’s never stop dreaming, and build that dream piece by piece. Believe in yourself.”

1 Comment


Congratulations to Fabiola for her bold initiatives. Inspiring indeed

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