Three years ago, when I turned 30, something in my life completely shifted.
I made my birthday dress, shared it online… and it went viral. That moment was the beginning of everything. It was when I started focusing on dresses, and when I truly fell in love with dressmaking.
Since then, I’ve dedicated my career to creating dresses, and honestly, I’ve never felt more aligned with what I’m meant to do.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know the essence of my brand has always been to create pieces that are beautiful, well-made, and thoughtful. In the beginning, versatility was always a big part of that vision.
So it makes me incredibly happy to introduce my birthday dress for this year… the dress I’ll be wearing as I turn 33.
This dress feels so special to me. It’s elegant, feminine, and it can be worn two different ways. That detail alone makes me so excited, because versatility has always been something I love designing into my pieces. Being able to create something beautiful that also transforms… that’s exactly the kind of design that makes me happiest.
Turning 33 also feels meaningful in another way.
33 has always been my favorite number. If you know a little about numerology, it’s also my life path number.
Because of that, I wanted this birthday to feel intentional.
So this year I hosted a dinner with my friends, and we played a simple but beautiful game that helped us connect and reflect together. I’m sharing it with you in case you have a gathering with friends coming up and want to create a moment that feels a little deeper and more meaningful.
As I turn 33, I’m thinking a lot about how I want to live the next years of my life with more intention, more presence, and more beautiful moments shared with the people I love.
And now… the dress.
This birthday piece is exclusively available to newsletter subscribers first, so you’re getting early access. My team insisted we name it Raphaella, they said it embodies everything about me.
So here she is: The Raphaella Dress.
Thank you so much for being here and for being part of this journey with me. It truly means more than you know.
And one more thing.. today is also International Women’s Day. I still think it’s incredible that I was born on this day.
I’m endlessly grateful for the women in my life and for the women who support my work. This day belongs to all of us.
Happy International Women’s Day.
And thank you for celebrating this moment with me.
With love,
Raphaella Santana
