Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Bourcier.
Hi Gabrielle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Shear Panic started three years ago after I saw a creator on TikTok wishing for cute, sensory-friendly clothing that “didn’t set her brain on fire.” With my background in garment construction, a degree in fashion and textiles, and eight years in the industry, I knew I could help fill that gap. I’ve always wanted to design fashion for nerds—I’m a lifelong gamer and fantasy fan—and after developing a chronic pain condition myself, creating comfortable, sensory-considerate clothing became a personal passion. I spent two years developing a five-piece collection and challenging my manufacturers to push the boundaries of garment construction. I officially launched Shear Panic in September 2024, blending my love for fantasy with accessibility-focused design.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Getting Shear Panic off the ground was anything but smooth. One of the biggest challenges was working with my manufacturer. My garments aren’t made using standard construction methods, and everything from seam types to fabric handfeel needed to be rethought through a sensory-friendly lens. I had to teach them what “sensory friendly” actually means, and we went back and forth endlessly until the pieces felt right.
Funding was another major hurdle. I built this brand entirely on my own, and lenders weren’t exactly lining up to support a brand-new concept. Fundraising was incredibly difficult, and I’m beyond grateful to my dad for believing in me and helping with a small personal loan when things were tight. That support meant the world.
And then there was marketing… which has never been my comfort zone. I’m not an influencer, and I definitely wasn’t used to being on camera. I had to teach myself how to make TikToks, how to show up online, and how to talk confidently about my work. It pushed me so far out of my shell — but it paid off. My tiny page grew from about 300 followers to over 5,000, and now I have a small but incredibly kind community cheering the brand on.
The road was messy and full of learning curves, but every challenge has shaped Shear Panic into what it is today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I currently work full-time in corporate as an Associate Designer, but outside of my 9–5 I pour my heart into creating fantasy and video-game–inspired designs. That’s really what I’m known for—blending nerd culture with fashion. I specialize in turning imaginative concepts into clothing that’s both expressive and genuinely comfortable.
What I’m most proud of is my determination. Building a brand while navigating chronic pain, full-time work, and the challenges of starting from scratch hasn’t been easy, but I never let go of the dream. And what truly sets me apart is the way I approach design from lived experience. I personally deal with disability and I’m deeply immersed in gaming and fantasy culture. So I’m not just guessing at what people want—I’m designing for myself, my community, and people who often get overlooked in mainstream fashion.
How do you think about luck?
Luck has shown up in both good and bad ways throughout my journey. On the “bad luck” side, developing a chronic pain condition completely changed the way I approached fashion and my own daily life. It wasn’t an easy experience—but it ultimately pushed me to rethink how clothing should feel and function, and it’s a big part of why Shear Panic exists today.
On the flip side, I’ve had some wonderfully unexpected good luck. The very first video I ever posted about starting my business went viral overnight. I didn’t even have a brand name yet — I just wrote “sheer panic” over my head to show how overwhelming the process felt. Suddenly, hundreds of people were commenting, “Wait, that’s actually a great business name!” It was such a surreal moment of support from total strangers, and with a small spelling tweak, Shear Panic was born. That one video gave me early momentum and an audience who genuinely believed in my idea before I even officially launched.
Contact Info:
- Website: shearpanic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shearpanicbrand/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090733674602
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShearPanicBrand
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@shearpanicbrand?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
