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GISELLE MANZANO RAMÍREZ
Born 1992 | Cali, Colombia
Studio: Saugerties, NY, – Hudson Valley, United States
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Multidisciplinary artist, fashion designer, textile educator, creative director, and graphic designer whose work explores themes of identity, healing, and transformation. Founder and Creative Director of OBRA, a fashion and art studio bridging textile experimentation, performance art, and spiritual storytelling. Founder and Executive Director of KRATER, a cultural platform uplifting underrepresented artists through immersive fashion performance, currently in the process of becoming a nonprofit organization. Also works as a freelance graphic designer, private language coach, translator, and stylist.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
-Universidad de Boyacá, Colombia- BA in Graphic Design – (Graduated 2017)
-PI Art Center, New York – Fashion Illustration & Printmaking (2019–2021)
-University of Massachusetts Boston – ESL Program for International Students (2014)
-UCEDA Institute, New Jersey – TOEFL Preparation Program (2015–2016)
-Zoni Language School, New York – Advanced English, TOEFL Prep & Business English (2018–2019) – Also worked at UCEDA Institute as an ESL tutor and received in-house teacher training
-INNATE Postpartum Care Training – in progress, 2025
-ONAYA Psychedelic Integration Mentorship – in progress, 2025
-Biomaterials Design Course – with artist Laura Messing, 2025
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
-Founder & Creative Director, OBRA (2020–present)
-Founder & Executive Director, KRATER (2023–present; nonprofit status pending)
-Freelance Graphic Designer & Illustrator (2014–present)
-Private Spanish & English Language Coach and Translator – including ONAYA program (2020–present)
-Fashion Stylist & Wardrobe Designer for musicians, artists, performers, and private clients (2018–present)
-Curator & Visual Merchandiser, Vintage Thrift West (2019–2020)
-Independent Buyer & Founder, Online vintage shop & pop-ups (2018–2022)
SIGNIFICANT FASHION SHOWS & EXHIBITIONS
Fashion Shows
-KRATER – NYFW Immersive Runway (2023–2024)
-Brooklyn Fashion Week (2022–2023)
-Bartschland x Kunst (2022–2023)
-TYSM x NYFW Independent Fashion Event (2022)
-ReFashion Week – Querencia Studio (2020)
Performance & Installation
GATELESS II: The Burden – Performance art and wardrobe design featured at KRATER; selected for 2025 Women in the Arts exhibition
Educational & Editorial Projects
-Textile Design: Upcycling Clothes with Experimental Techniques – Domestika Masterclass (2023)
-YiYi English – Visual identity and curriculum design (2021)
-Animalis Abecedarium Pop Up Book- Graphic Design Thesis (2017)
Music Industry Styling & Wardrobe Design
-Styled artists for Dekmantel, Boiler Room, The Bunker NY, Berghain, Panorama Bar
-Collaborated with artists including Karen Lammassone, Felukah, Dee Diggs, DJ UNIIQU3, Sister Zo, Bryan Kasenic
PRESS & MEDIA
Featured in: Vogue, Teen Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, PAPER Magazine, Harvard Divinity School, Glitch Magazine, No Kill Magazine, OMG Fashun, DesignTaxi, Adobe Illustrator, Fubiz, Digital Arts Online, Colombian Embassy NYC, and more.
CONFERENCES & TALKS
-Pratt Institute – Guest Lecture, Text(iles): The Fabric Book with Sophia Thanhauser (2021)
-Wayne State University – Guest Lecture, Fashion Design Program with Sarah Wondrack (2024)
AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS & FUNDING
-Creatives Rebuild New York – Guaranteed Income for Artists Program (2022–2023)
-Domestika Commission – Selected to create and teach an international textile design course (2023)
-KRATER – NYFW platform featured in Vogue, PAPER, and Harper’s Bazaar
-GATELESS II: The Burden – Selected for 2025 Women in the Arts group exhibition
CURRENT PROJECTS & UPCOMING
-Unpublished Work: GATELESS II performance wardrobe and The Unseen x OBRA editorial (2025 group exhibition + publication)
-Ongoing: Development of OBRA’s GATELESS and The Key to Your Cage collections
-KRATER Expansion:2025 edition in development with workshops, podcast, and creative agency launch (nonprofit status in process)