GALADRIEL MATTEI was raised in a small Northern California town. Her mother introduced her to basic sewing, beading and embroidery techniques at a relatively young age, which she continued to explore informally, and avidly through out high school. After which, she moved to Los Angeles, where she received a degree from U.C.LA. in Fine arts, specifically Dance. There she continued on, receiving an additional degree in Women’s Studies with specializations in History and Literature. After graduating from U.C.LA she decided to formally study fashion design and took courses at Otis. While working as a costumer and stylist for commercials and print, she simultaneously began developing the above collection.