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Whether it’s Latino Heritage Month or any other time of year, Latino designers and fashionistas are working to open the doors to the next crop of creatives associated with the region.
This time, three of those creatives are working on a “to-industry workshop” for students at Mexico’s Istituto de Moda Burgo in New York City. Hosted by designer Nadia Manjarrez of her eponymous bridal label, celebrity and editorial makeup artist Mayela Vazquez and fashion photographer Raul Tovar, the three-day workshop from September 29 to October 1 aims to give an inside look at the upcoming industry. .
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“I am very happy to be doing this workshop for many reasons,” said Vazquez. “All my partners are 100 percent Mexican, we moved to New York 10 years ago, all in the same situation: no job, no connections, no idea how to get into the industry. We started this project a few years ago for our community and to work in this industry. With the intention of giving advice to anyone who wants it. To answer the questions that no one answered and everything that no one told us when we started. We want to open doors and help them realize how to achieve their dream career in fashion and beauty.
“Another thing that makes me happy is that companies and brands like Make Up For Ever, Chanel Beauty, Caudalié, Bobbi Brown, Ceremonia and Benefit are starting to support our project more because they care about the Latino market.” Added.
During one day of the workshop, Manjarrez will share about fashion design and participate in a question-and-answer session. Then, participating students take a field trip to a New York embroidery studio for hands-on experiences. On the second day, Vazquez will lead an interactive learning experience at the Make Up For Ever Studio and Atelier Beauty Channel. On the third day, students participate in a campaign shoot for Nadia Menjarez Studio Bridal, a lesson led by Tovar. Participation in the workshop costs a minimum of $1,450, although there is an option to pay per class for students who have already registered.
“My favorite day is always the photo shoot we do together. I love seeing their eyes when they see the results on the screen and the ideas we worked on over the weekend come true,” said Tovar, whose work has appeared in Vogue Mexico & Latin America, Harper’s Bazaar and L’Officiel. “I personally enjoy answering all of their great questions unfiltered and sharing as much as I can from this industry that feels so intimidating when you’re on the other side of it.”
That intimidation is what the trio is working to avoid, and what Tovar faces in the beginning.
“I read the same analogy somewhere that the fashion industry is a table with a few seats for the same people to get the best food (jobs) and everyone picks up leftovers from the floor… As harsh as it sounds, that’s how I felt when I moved to New York City 11 years ago,” he said. “Until January 2018, the most popular fashion magazine covers and advertising campaigns were photographed by the same top photographers. The social changes of 2020 have brought many opportunities for up-and-coming photographers with different views and perspectives on fashion. As a photographer myself, perhaps a different source of inspiration for me. I love seeing the different pictures and stories told by people who have them.
Now, it’s about continuing to open up those opportunities to a more agentic creative set.
I think success is a combination of talent and luck (and, unfortunately, a little bit of luck), so I love seeing some of my Latino peers achieve great feats that seemed unattainable years ago or belong to the same group. People,” said Tovar.
Little by little, Manjarrez believes that the representation of Latino fashion designers is improving.
“I would love to see more, but now more than ever I think, there’s a push for more representation and diversity in every aspect of the industry,” she says. “I think it’s our duty as Latinos to help create more opportunities and help develop, mentor and lift up the next generation.”
As a member of the next generation and a student attending next week’s workshop, Matilde Rojo said the opportunity means a lot to her.
“There’s not much you can read or hear about how the fashion industry works in the real world, so I’m excited to meet the panelists and hear their stories and how they got to where they are today,” he said. A young designer who wants to finally create her own brand.
But the bigger picture extends beyond her brand to her representation.
“It’s important for consumers to be seen and heard, we want to spend money and support unique brands,” Rojo said. “Everyone wants to feel like they belong, and the fashion industry is supporting models of all sizes and colors, supporting photographers of all backgrounds, and featuring talented covers that people can relate to.”
To Vazquez, things are already moving in the right direction.
“I’ve definitely seen an evolution since I started 15 years ago. Now there are more campaigns, editorials and runway shows I’m working on with Latin faces. “Fashion and beauty brands are slowly diversifying and becoming more forward-thinking by opening new doors for Latinx talent, showing that they’re interested in ‘everyone’ and not just one face or body shape,” she says.
“It’s had a big impact on social media, everyone has a voice now and Latinos are asking to be heard, to be seen, to have a chance in this country and in this industry,” Vazquez continued. Some of the most influential magazines, companies and brands today have Latinos behind them, so they have a huge responsibility to break down these boundaries and do so.
This workshop is the eighth that Menjarez, Vazquez and Tovar have organized together. Another is scheduled for May 2023.
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