SHIFTING GEARS

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE FOR CHANGE. THESE FIVE INSPIRING WOMEN MADE A SHIFT IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIVES, TAKING ON ADDITIONAL ROLES OR BRANCHING OUT INTO SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

- SHIREEN FISHER

MARIAN GAYLARD

LAWYER – OWNER OF THE FIRST SOUTHERN AFRICAN OUTLET OF THE SPANISH FASHION BRAND DESIGUAL

A trip to Spain planted the seed for lawyer Marian Gaylard’s entry into the world of fashion. The 49-year-old, who lives in Johannesburg with her husband and two teenage children, has an honors degree in economics and an LLB from Wits. She’s spent the past 25 years providing corporate finance advisory and JSE regulatory advisory services in the investment banking industry. For the past 10 years, she has also been offering training, in conjunction with the JSE, to listed companies, directors, JSE sponsors and advisors, banks, and law firms on listing requirements.

On a 2013 trip to Barcelona, Marian fell in love with the clothing brand Desigual and returned home with more than just a new wardrobe. ‘I had a dream – prompted by my dad, who has always encouraged me to take great leaps of faith – to bring this unique fashion brand to South Africa.’

‘I mulled over the idea for a few years until I got to a point in my career where I felt my creativity had been stifled. I wanted to express a different side of myself. I believe that sometimes the universe aligns in one’s favour: when I called the Desigual headquarters in Spain, it was at the most fortuitous time – they were in the process of looking for a franchise partner for Southern Africa! And we immediately clicked.’

Negotiations and development for the brand’s first outlet on the continent took about a year. Marian opened the first Desigual shop in Sandton City on 5 September 2020.