Emmanuel “Manny” Jesus Cabrera, entrepreneur and founder of Chicago-based fashion brand Gente Fina, originally wanted to be a truck driver. But, Cabrera said fashion was his calling.

Growing up in Melrose Park, Cabrera said he admired the strong work ethic and drive of his immigrant parents from Durango, Mexico, to provide for their children.

“(My dad) became a truck driver — that was his dream coming to America,” Cabrera said. “So naturally, that was going to be my goal in life too. That’s all I’ve ever really known growing up.”

Once Cabrera was in the business, he realized that truck driving is not just traveling the country behind a wheel. It’s a job that can be dangerous if a driver is not fully aware of their surroundings, especially with thousands of pounds of material on board.

Cabrera said he wanted a change, but he didn’t know what his next steps were.

His first venture, Midwest Cargo Equipment, launched in 2014. Cabrera was inspired by a problem his father experienced: buying equipment for his truck from Gary, Indiana. Cabrera said he questioned why there were no businesses nearby in the area for truckers to easily access products.

“I had to learn how to sew, make tarps for truck drivers, make covers for truck drivers and repair some of their equipment that required a sewing machine,” Cabrera said. “I got a sewing machine and started to learn.”

Once he grew comfortable using the machines, Cabrera said he became curious about making clothing with different fabrics, such as canvas tarps. Sewing soon became his hobby and friends would ask him for custom pieces, which inspired Cabrera to create his own fashion label.

Established in 2018, Gente Fina kickstarted. Cabrera said it showcases the beauty of Mexican heritage and Chicago pride through clothing, handbags and accessories. Yet the brand garnered significant attention in 2020 when more consumers wanted to support minority-owned businesses.

“(It) became very important for me to show who was making these pieces, who’s behind the brand and showing (the public) that it’s somebody that does care about the culture,” Cabrera said. “We’re collabing with brands that not only are going to pay us, but they’re going to support the culture in some shape or form.”

His brand has partnered with the Chicago Bulls, Michelob Ultra and, most recently, the Chicago White Sox. Cabrera’s clothes have been seen on athletes Andre Drummond, Giovanni Cabrera and Rashod Bateman, along with Mexican musicians Grupo Frontera and Carin León.

Mexican American stylist and Chicagoan Monserrat Monroy started her styling journey with Gente Fina, and she said her creativity has flourished without hesitation.

“It’s truly inspiring to see this brand walk the runway and represent our culture in such a competitive fashion landscape,” Monroy said. “It opens doors for other Latinos, showing that we can pursue our dreams fearlessly.”

She has been working on the line’s latest collection “Indómito,” meaning untamed in English, which made its debut Thursday night at Chicago’s Union Station.

Cabrera’s friend Carla Narváez said she has always admired Gente Fina’s creativity through clothing. It has brought her joy.

“Gente Fina is all of us, the kids who once thought things were impossible,” Narváez said. “But here we are — just some kids from Chicago, making moves in the world.”

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