ROSA MERCEDES DEBUT IN NYFW'S RUNWAY 7
As we shine light on amazing women making queen size moves in their respective lanes, we had the opportunity to chat with a dynamic plus-size model, turned designer, and now fashion producer added to her resume, as she joined many others in breaking barriers in the fashion industry. The debut of her collection for New York Fashion Week's Runway 7 show this season, showcased models in pieces that proved that style has no size limit. Her latest Disney Princess inspired collection, "Plus Royalty", features rich colors, queen inspired elegance, and fluid silhouettes designed to flatter a plethora of diverse body shapes.
Rosa regularly collaborates with other plus-size models and influencers to ensure there's authentic representation within her brand. Understanding the importance of comfort while still giving elegance, she insisted on using high-quality fabrics that also catered to a plus-size body's needs. The collection's debut hosted inclusive designs where models of all sizes illuminated the runway, celebrating body positivity. Always an advocate for representation, Rosa fought to make sure her pieces made it to a NYFW stage this season and we are overjoyed that she was able to share with us a little about her journey.
QSM: What made you decide to become a runway producer?
Rosa: One of the biggest reasons that helped me take the step as a producer of runway events is that in Puerto Rico, there were no events for plus-size models. When I started as a plus-size model in 2009, no events would let us participate due to being a plus-size. Practically, in that time, you had to beg the producers to include us in their “shows.” In addition to having to pay a fee, they allow us to participate. I have been working on organizing and producing the Plus Size Fashion Weekend and also had the honor of working with the San Juan Moda. The San Juan Moda is one of the most influential fashion events in Puerto Rico, and having the opportunity to work with them has been a pleasure.
QSM: What are your views or thoughts about the current state of the plus-size industry?
Rosa: The fashion industry has grown by leaps and bounds since I started as a plus-size model in 2009. Now, the fashion industry has become more diversified. The fashion industry has opened more to the plus-size model community, giving them more opportunities than when I started. More clothing brands had adopted “plus” sizes, opening the space for plus-size fashion models and designers. There is still room for improvement, but in my opinion, it is going in the right direction.
QSM: What was your biggest challenge showing during NYFW?
Rosa: My biggest challenge was not to present at NYFW and much less create a completely plus collection, but the high cost that has the same that designers must pay to be part of it. I have always opened the doors to present in any of the fashion shows that run at the NYFW, but the economic factor was one of the biggest challenges that prevented me from presenting in it. I always thought that presenting at NYFW was by invitation and that the designer paid for the expenses in materials.
QSM: Do you feel we need to remove the word “Plus” from Plus Size Industry and there be just one industry when referring to fashion?
Rosa: In terms of identifying the sizes in the fashion industry if it should remain, since it identifies our sizes in the commercial field of fashion. There is no reason to remove it. But at the time of identifying a community of people in general, in that if you should delete the word size at the time of identifying us. We are plus because our bodies have curves. We must be told women and men plus when it comes to identifying ourselves. It is necessary that the term plus exists.
QSM: Do you feel the society accepts curvy women?
Rosa: Society is already beginning to accept that there are women with curves, understand it, as women plus. Although there are still a small number of people who do not accept that there are plus women. Understand that the macro concept plus, divides us into curvy, full figure and big, beautiful woman. It is important to note that no matter what type of curved body you have, however still you are plus.
QSM: What is the one thing you would tell a young girl looking in the mirror who is having a hard time loving her curves and being plus size?
Rosa: The first thing I say to her is that she is a beautiful woman who must be loved and accepted as she is. You have to love your curves that Birth inherited and, in that way, you can love them more and accept them. Those curves are beautiful and have their fans.
QSM: Do you believe that there is real space for inclusion in NYFW and the industry as a whole or is this still a fad?
Rosa: Of course, it is a real space for inclusion, since the NYFW is a platform that creates new trends, both in fashion and inclusion. We are seeing more often on NYFW catwalks men and women who are plus and over 50 years old. So this platform is being the driver of true inclusion, but still lacks to include Petite models to be completely inclusive.
QSM: Tell us a little bit about your brand, the name and what Inspired you to create it?
Rosa Mercedes was born as a plus size designer in 2018, due to the problem that fashion designers do not want to create completely plus collections. Being a fashion designer was a dream paused due to the arrival of my three children. My brand comes to fill the necessary space in fashion for men and women plus. It comes to create pieces that enhance the curves of both women and gentlemen. Getting to the NYFW platform through Runway 7 was to make that dream come true of creating more to present a complete plus collection. I was the first plus fashion designer to make history at NYFW presenting a completely plus size collection. The collection created for the NYFW was called “Plus Royalty”. It inspires me in the Disney princesses creating pieces suitable for the figure of the plus woman highlighting the same with the touch of elegance in which always distinguishes me.
QSM: What is some advice or last words to leave for our viewers and anyone wanting to take on the task of producing a fashion show or anything similar? Where can we find you and your collection?
Rosa: My best advice is that you never give up and that you have to work hard to make your dreams come true. Everything in life takes time for it to materialize, so you must be persistent and insistent, since both words together are the basis for success.
To learn more about Rosa’s career and acquire pieces from her collections, you can follow her on instagram at @plusmodelrosa or @rosamercedesfd. You can also contact her through Facebook as Rosa Mercedes Plus Fashion Designer. To order, you can also do it by WhatsApp at 787-218-7052.
photo credits: photographer: Jose Manuel Maco
photographer: Ilya Savenok
