Marcela Bacelo Goncalves
Marcela Bacelo Gonçalves is a Brazilian art director and designer currently leading creative direction at Everlast Worldwide. A recipient of the Sillas Rhode Scholarship at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) New York, Marcela built a foundation rooted in both artistic excellence and leadership. Her early experiences with Brazilian agencies such as Plenty and Sesh allowed her to develop a deep understanding of design, product management, and market communication—skills that would later define her international career.
After relocating to New York, Marcela joined Roc Nation as a Design and Artist Marketing Resident, where she contributed to creative campaigns and merchandise development for globally recognized artists like Alicia Keys and Megan Thee Stallion. Simultaneously, she served as Editor-in-Chief of Visual Opinion, SVA’s leading student-run publication, overseeing more than ten issues and managing a multidisciplinary creative team. Her work later expanded at Paper Planes, a Roc Nation-affiliated fashion brand, where she excelled in apparel design, campaign ideation, and production management.
Today, as Art Director at Everlast, Marcela continues to push creative boundaries, merging heritage and modernity in fashion and sports branding. Recognized for her distinctive aesthetic and leadership, her work has been featured in outlets such as Costume Denmark and Hypebae. Beyond her professional achievements, Marcela is passionate about giving back—supporting nonprofit projects within Brazilian communities and empowering young women in boxing, embodying the same resilience and creativity that define her career.
• TOEFL
• DELF
• FCE
• Proficience in English
• School of Visual Arts - BFA
• Term of Hornor
• Sophomore Portfolio Top Percentile
• Silas H. Rhodes Scholarship
• Foundation of Arts and Design Graduated with Honors
• 3rd Best Illustration
• Rotary International
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to always filter my references and choose people who truly know my work and character.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to focus on personal growth—when you work on yourself, confidence naturally follows.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is earning respect from older colleagues, especially as a 24-year-old art director. However, I see this as an opportunity to demonstrate leadership, creativity, and professionalism through my work.
Locations
Everlast Worldwide
Miami, FL 33132