NYFW Celebrates Latinx Heritage Month

This season UPS kicked off NYFW with an opening party at the Bodega Baque pop up shop in downtown. The party celebrated the collection which is a collaboration between UPS, famed streetwear designer Angelo Baque, and several small Latinx designers. As Latinx Heritage month kicks off later this week it was the perfect moment to highlight these talented designers and small businesses. The event was a huge success with fashionable attendees showing off their stylish streetwear looks as the party spilled out on to the sidewalk. The Bodega was decorated with pieces from the collaboration including hoodies, t-shirts, and hats. There were also appetizers and drinks! Baque attended the event and enthusiastically told me that New York is back! 

The following week NYFW The Talks featured a panel with Angelo Baque himself and several other latinx designers and business partners including Thermal Taveras, Carlos Cuerto Danny Buezo founder of Kids Of Immigrants, and Moderator: Karla Martínez de Salas. The panelists discussed how their culture has influenced their work and has inspired them to create some amazing projects and collaborations with the community. 

For Taveras culture informed his work as a designer through bringing in imagery inspired by the art he saw in church growing up and being a New Yorker as well. For Baque having immigrant parents from Ecuadaor and a strong connection to music has always informed his designs. He said that he often designs a collection imagining a soundtrack in the background. 

For Cuerto who works on the corporate side at UPS he talked about the work ethic his family and community instilled in him to always the the grind on. He also mentioned that growing up in a collectivist culture with  n emphasis on community ahs helped him to work well on a team and excel in a team environment which is so important for success in today's world no matter what industry you're in. 

Additionally the panelists mentioned that they have been able to take a fresh perspective on their own culture often growing up as children of first generation immigrants. Baque said, "I'm ok with being a trail blazer. Holding open doors for others like me to come behind me and hearing from other Ecuadorian kids that I inspired them is how I know I've done good." the panelists also talked about ensuring that the community comes first when they partner up on projects such as the UPS collab which will donate proceeds to a latinx scholarship fund here in NYC. 

Baque talked about dealing with obstacles when he entered the fashion industry from finances to discrimination and how he has overcome them. He now focuses on transparency and sharing the lessons learned so that others can ask for help and won't be afraid to reach out. 

For Cuerto being results oriented and making the most of opportunities has always helped him overcome obstacles he's faced in his career. 

For Danny Buezo putting the community over competition and overcoming shyness and gaining self confidence has helped him to succeed in business. 

The panelists also discussed the best ways to help new talent. They all agreed that it often starts at a personal level and helping evolve form a scarcity mindset and encouraging people to ask for help can make all the difference, According to Cuerto UPS has also worked to ensure that money invested is going to programs that are actually helpful and research is key in finding programs that will have the most effect. It was a great way to kick off a stylish Latinx Heritage month!