My name is Raul Torres. I wanted to be a Fashion Designer since I was 5 years old. I was always told not to be one because that was a women’s profession. Yeah, that pretty much tells you in the environment I grew up in. I moved from California to Arkansas in 1995 to start my sophomore year in High School. I completely forgot about fashion then because I didn’t think Arkansas had anything related to fashion. I was told many times by several people including my family not to attend college. I knew I had to step it up. In the back of my mind I still wanted to do fashion. The closest degree I found in my local community college was Graphic Design. Graphic Design saved my life! Working at NorthWest Arkansas Community College I discovered that the University of Arkansas has a degree in Fashion. I enrolled immediately! I had one or two jobs just to pay for my tuition but I still felt like I was in heaven. I was really lucky to have gotten my first degree in Graphic Design because it was a strong foundation for my fashion degree. The professors at the University of Arkansas were just as amazing at the ones in the community college. After I graduated I moved to New York. I was shaking in the airplane the whole way there. It was the biggest risk and jump in my life. It was worth it! That was the experience of a lifetime. I graduated at a time were unemployment was really high. I decided to move to Dallas, Texas because it was familiar to me, it felt like home and I could be closer to my family. Since I couldn’t find employment I decided to venture on my own. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but I went ahead with it. I reached out to tons of people but I didn’t get a single response. I had to start from zero. I had to build credibility as a Fashion Designer. It sure does help being passionate, determined, resilient, patient, and, a hard worker, about a profession. I am not ashamed to say that I was a server even after graduating from college. Who else was going to pay for my expenses? I met a lot of wonderful people during that time. I continued doing fashion shows and building on my design career. I got to participate in local fashion shows as well as national. I continue to work arduously because I really want to make it in the fashion industry. I know I can’t do it on my own. It’s impossible to compete with retailers making billions a year. I know I have a shot if you can help me with a jump start. My passion and talent is there. I know I will not give up and you will continue to see my progress in all my the social media. (more photos of my work below!)
PHOTOS BELOW BY: VICTOR CHALFANT
Photo courtesy of: NWA Entertainment