We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Albania Rosario. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Albania below.

Albania, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

It all started once I figured that my dream of becoming a high fashion model for the amazing runway shows of NYFW was crushed!

I didn’t fit the criteria I wasn’t tall enough or skinny enough to make it.. after going to several castings and auditioning for numerous brands I just didn’t fit in their requirements.. so I realized that perhaps the modeling aspect of the industry wasn’t for me… but why quit the industry i was so passionate about? I didn’t want to give up, I didn’t want to walk way from something I love so much,, so started seeking and wonder what else is there in this amazing industry, what else could I be doing so I didn’t have to just walk away… I found out that I could be a volunteer and work behind the scenes, that, somehow made me feel that I was still part of something I always wanted to do….

So after seeking for opportunities I finally landed some volunteers jobs during fashion week, i work with different brands and different designers, I did everything I was asked, I helped with set up, dressing models, seating charts, registrations, organizing hair and makeup team, helping designers with their garments etc… anything that had to do with backstage I was there, Helping and learning and meeting new people… but happened after working a few seasons what’s unexpected to me as it is to most people, I started to fall in love with the production aspects of the industry, I realized there was so much more to do, so much more than just walking the runway and wearing the garments… Producing a show was so much more exciting… so started learning more about the industry.

It didn’t take too long to notice there was not that many Latin fashion designers involved in the shows, there wasn’t many opportunities for the upcoming emerging Latino designers, and the opportunities you could find were extremely expensive so, what about our designers? What about the talents we have in Latin America, whose creative abilities are over flowing but financial resources were not! How will the world know they exists?

So I took it up into myself to do something about it, I invisioned a platform during the same week as New York fashion week, that would offer opportunity to those upcoming emerging fashion brands from our latino countries who have the potential to be next to any of the big brands already showing in the industry.

The vision was clear, I just didn’t know how I was going to make it happen, I was just a Dominican girl with a big dream in the big apple., no resources whatsoever, but the willing to start knocking doors, and boy! It was hard!
It took a big strength, i went through so many disappointments, obstacles, criticism from people who thought I was crazy thinking I could compete and break into this huge industry of fashion that was consider a circuit for just a few… you can imagine…it was hard for other to see and believe in my vision,
but none of that stopped me from continuing to move forward. Working backstage and assisting shows, I was able to meet a few Latinx designers that were also looking for an opportunity to show their work during fashion week, so it was easy to convince them to show their pieces with me a my show“ uptown fashion week” which was what I called it then, I organized a little show in northern Manhattan which was where I used to live, and were I was able to get a venue that did not charge me to host my little showcase, I gather models from the neighborhood, family, friends and friends of friends whoever wanted to walk in my show, whatever it took to have what I needed, long story short I was able to host my first ever show during NYFW, away from the fashion scene… although it was a disaster, no because of lack of knowledge but because I had no resources for a big professional production. I did what I could with what I had. Fast forward every season i hosted the same type of show twice a year, and fashion week was now starting to make sound in Washington heights where I hosted several shows, every season I kept getting new designers, new models, new people who were curios about what I was doing etc… lots of critics, and struggles but I kept meeting more people and producing shows year after year..

It didn’t take long for the word to get out and more people started to become interest about being part of these shows, Its now almost 13 years since that crazy idea of doing my own fashion week shows in New York,..

I am so proud and extremely grateful that I never give up, today I own a FDLA Group Inc – the company that produces Fashion Designers of Latin America , a fashion platform recognized globally with over 260 members across LATIN AMERICA who come to New York each season exclusively to present their collections during fashion week with this platform.

FDL not only gives our designers an opportunity to be seen, show their work and be recognized in the competitive industry, but also connects designers and brands to buyers, positioning them internationally and helping elevating their business.

My biggest reward besides being able to help so many people in the industry, is the ability to see how their lives are changed after exposing their amazing work to the world. I have no words to describe how I feel when our artisans, fashion designers from a small town in any of our countries in Latin America come to New York the fashion capital of the world with the help of my platform and show their talent with success! Once they go back to their country their life is never the same, they see results, their business grow and they become more popular and successful… That is simply the biggest reward I could ever ask for.

Albania, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Who is Albania Rosario? Her story is that of many who come to New York to pursue a dream of making it in the big city. But for Albania, her dreams and aspirations ran deeper than anyone could imagine.
Albania Rosario is the Founder and Executive Director of Fashion Designers of Latin America. Rosario arrived in the United States at the age of 18 years old with her father from the Dominican Republic to pursue her academic career and passion for fashion.
Her biggest dream as a child was to become a high fashion model.
Today, Albania brings young, established and upcoming fashion designers from across Latin America to have their work seen during the New York Fashion Week. She also created the FDLA online academy a non-profit organization which allows students to enroll in fashion-related courses, events and training at little to no cost.

Albania also works with Hogar Sanisis an orphanage with children affected by AIDS in the Dominican Republic, she has hosted and produced the most magical fashion shows for these children providing them everything they need, and help them make their dreams come to reality by becoming fashion models and the stars of a big runway show.
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In 2017, she was recognized in South Korea, Eastern Europe and Asia for creating one of the best fashion platforms for Latinos in the world.
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Today, Albania Rosario is the voice, the woman who brought Latin designers to the forefront of New York Fashion week and is the Creative Director & Founder of Fashion Designers of Latin America – FDLA Group Inc.,
and President of FDLA Foundation Inc.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

After many years, what I believe helped me and my reputation within this competitive industry is the continuous effort to keep growing and improving even after so many obstacles and failures. Every season year after year I always make sure that we fix and improve something, one thing at the time even if it as simple as better sound or better lighting, better venue, etc.. each season I focus on improving and making our production better, little by little as long as it takes, make and show a better version better than the last one, I know people see the difference, the growth, and the passion with wish I hold myself strong no matter what challenges I face, one step at the time improving that I Can and that I will continue… I believe people respect that.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy I would have to say, being resourceful and finding quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties, figuring out how to break through any obstacles and barriers and in doing so, find opportunities to help others.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.AlbaniaRosario.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/albaniarosarioofficial?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albaniarosario

Image Credits
Profile image by @belashootz Models & shows images by @elysberroteran @weston.Mosburg Fashion Designers of Latin America FDLA NYFW shows