Hi, I'm Gabriel Pimentel
Born in Lima, Peru and shaped by my Guatemalan and Peruvian heritage, I design footwear informed by culture, experience, and storytelling. I have been designing and making products since I was a child, and after discovering design as a career in high school, I attended San José State University (SJSU), where I graduated with a BS in Industrial Design.
My professional career began at the end of my second year of university when I attended the Pensole Lewis College masterclass, Diversity x Design, and was selected as one of five participants for a one-year rotational apprenticeship with Timberland, Vans, The North Face, and Altra. After returning to SJSU for a year, I went back to Timberland during the summer to work on their Advanced Concepts & Energy team. I then had the opportunity to study abroad in Paris, France at ENSCI – Les Ateliers before returning to SJSU for my final semester.
After graduating, I joined New Balance as an apprentice on the Lifestyle Collab & Energy team for 11 months before being hired into my current role as a full-time Lifestyle Footwear Designer.
I believe we are all products of our upbringing and experiences, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve received and the people who have supported me along the way. I am driven to keep learning, leave a meaningful impact on the world, diversify the industry, and help create a path for others like me to follow.