Some stories start with a big idea. Ours started with a tiny turtle in a pair of small hands.
In the summer of 2025, we traveled to Indonesia — to the breathtaking islands of Flores and Komodo, where the water is so turquoise it doesn't look real. Our daughter Gabrielle, then 9 years old, had one thing on her mind: she wanted to see a sea turtle.
She got her wish — and then some.
A Baby Turtle That Changed Everything
During our time on the island, we had the incredible chance to witness baby sea turtles being released onto the beach. Tiny, determined little creatures, no bigger than a fist, making their first journey toward the ocean. Gabrielle was mesmerized. She saw one and watched it disappear into the waves.
On the way home, she barely said a word. She was thinking.
From Sketch to T-Shirt
Back home, Gabrielle picked up her pencils and started drawing. Not realistic sea turtles — her own versions. Bold shapes, stylized forms, colors that felt alive. A golden tribal turtle. A coral-red swimmer. A tiny mascot that became our logo.
We looked at the drawings and thought: these are too good to stay in a sketchbook.
That's how Gaby & Friends was born. A small, independent kids' clothing brand built around one girl's passion for the ocean and the creatures that call it home. Every design is 100% Gabrielle's — no templates, no outside designers. Just a 9-year-old artist with big ocean dreams.
Why Organic Cotton?
If you love nature enough to wear it on a t-shirt, you should probably be kind to it too. That's why all Gaby & Friends t-shirts are made from 100% organic cotton — soft, breathable, gentle on kids' skin, and kinder to the planet than conventional cotton.
The Sea Turtle Spirit
Sea turtles have roamed our oceans for over 100 million years. They're symbols of patience, wisdom, and resilience — qualities we think are worth wearing. Every Gaby & Friends tee carries a little piece of that spirit, and a little piece of Gabrielle's imagination.
We hope it brings a smile to your child — and maybe sparks their own love for the ocean.