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Writer's pictureMariatu Kargbo

Mariatu Kargbo: The Founder Behind Gazelle

Updated: Sep 6, 2023


Mariatu Kargbo

Gazelle is a fashion brand famed for its bold colors and intricate designs, embodying grace, and elegance. At the helm of this success story stands its founder, Mariatu Kargbo: an inspirational entrepreneur and esteemed educator. In this article, we explore the inception of this visionary brand and the remarkable woman who brought it to life.


Before her love of fashion took her to new levels, Mariatu Kargbo's story began in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where she was born. During her early years, Mariatu moved to the United States and completed her education, from elementary school through high school, in Virginia. These formative experiences eventually resulted in her owning her own store and joining Virginia's business economy.


Following her graduation from high school, she embarked on a journey of lifelong learning. She obtained her first several degrees from George Mason University, including a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, and a Master's Degree in Nursing and Family Practice Nursing. Later, she even obtained a law degree from Concord Law School, aiming to gain knowledge that would aid her in bettering people's lives.


Following her journey, Mariatu progressed to a career in healthcare as a registered nurse, covering a Medical Surgical Nursing Unit and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Driven by her wish to support her community, she looked for further chances to make a difference in people's lives. With a commitment to education and inspiring others to realize their ambitions, she kept striving. Ultimately, her experience as a family nurse practitioner prompted her to found a nursing school.


Carrying on, Mariatu discovered a new method to aid those near her - through her life-long adoration of fashion. Impelled by her wish to assist people in being stylish, well-informed, and courageous, she initiated Gazelle and started to alter the fashion world for eternity through remarkable designs and her appreciation of African apparel. With an inimitable sense of fashion, she encourages others to stand out through their clothing and bearing.


Mariatu Kargbo undertakes numerous roles while helping the day-to-day operations of Gazelle, yet she continues to imitate an unwavering zeal for fashion and labor assiduously to bring enthralling wardrobes to her clients. Each day, she works to revolutionize and refine, giving Gazelle's patrons the opportunity to be perfectly dressed and express their most empowered selves! Each item is a part of Mariatu’s mind and culture, with her favorite being a traditional waist bead, which consists of a stack of five beads made with her favorite colors. Her waist beads represent sensuality, femininity, and spiritual well-being, and you can find them https://www.shopgazele.com/waist-beads. To this day, Mariatu Kargbo’s golden principle behind Gazelle continues to ring true. She says, “Let the outfit do the work, our customers deserve it.”




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