Hannah da Silva

Founder of GorpGirls

The mind behind GorpGirls, Hannah is the founder and creative director of the community-led agency. With a focus on increasing representation of women in the outdoors, Hannah has worked across the world—taking activity-centric events to London, Los Angeles, New York and Japan. With ambitions to expand into retreats and documentary filmmaking, Hannah’s goal is clear: bring like-minded women together beyond the hiking trail.

“What moves me is my support system, my friends, the women around me, other women that breaking boundaries in the outdoors.” - Hannah da Silva

Welcome to A Portrait of Progress, a series that sees seven changemakers come together to create one inspiring collective. A collective united by one goal, protecting our planet and those who inhabit it.

Please introduce yourself.
My name is Hannah Da Silva and I'm the founder of GorpGirls, which is a collective championing women in the outdoors.

What moves you?
What moves me is my support system, my friends, the women around me, other women that break boundaries in the outdoors.

What does Earth positive mean to you?
Earth positive means being grateful for the natural world around us and recognising that every day, through a little conscious effort to just continue to preserve the earth and the natural elements that give us this life.

What advice would you tell your younger self?
The advice I would tell my younger self is to ignore any self-doubt and not to take criticism too personally, especially from people who don't understand your mission.

How did your journey begin?
My journey began when I felt personally uncomfortable in the space that I loved so much. That really prompted me to create a safe space for women to enjoy the outdoors and feel safe and comfortable, and build a community of like-minded women.

What does it mean to be part of a collective?
To be part of a collective means friendship, bringing each other up and not down, and creating a network.

How do you stay grounded?
I stay grounded through connecting with my friends and family, looking to my support system, but then also taking time to spend time by myself and just be with my thoughts.

“Hannah da Silva, founder of GorpGirls, wore a fashion-led, sporty black (gaia)PLNT Nylon set that captures the spirit of a new generation.” —Anders Sølvsten Thomsen, stylist.