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

Joseph , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

It all started with a vision—and a passion for telling stories through menswear. I saw a gap in the market for high-quality, culturally authentic LATINX menswear, and I knew I had to bring it to life.
Before POTRO, I honed my creative voice as a Fashion Director on staff at iconic publications including Esquire, Playboy, Forbes, Forbes Life, and People, and led major fashion advertising campaigns. That experience taught me how to combine storytelling, design, and strategy to create impact.
At the same time, I launched StyleLujo.com, a digital destination for fashion, lifestyle, and culture, where I could share my perspective as an editor, creative director, and Menswear Professor at FIT. StyleLujo became a platform to explore trends, celebrate creativity, and connect directly with an engaged audience.
Turning POTRO from an idea into reality was all about execution: sketching the first collection, sourcing fabrics, coordinating production, building a launch strategy, and collaborating with photographers and stylists to tell a compelling story. Every late night, challenge, and iteration was worth it when the brand finally came to life.
Today, POTRO celebrates LATINX menswear with pride, StyleLujo continues to capture fashion and lifestyle culture, and my work at FIT keeps me connected to the next generation of menswear designers. It’s all about vision, creativity, and making ideas tangible.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Joseph DeAcetis, and I’ve spent my career at the intersection of fashion, storytelling, and creative direction. My journey began in editorial and fashion media, working as a Creative Fashion Director on staff at publications including Esquire, Playboy, Forbes, Forbes Life, and People. Those experiences taught me how to craft compelling narratives through visuals, campaigns, and content, while balancing creativity with strategy. I also led major fashion advertising campaigns, giving me a deep understanding of how to connect brands with audiences in meaningful, culturally relevant ways.
Along the way, I founded StyleLujo.com, a digital platform covering fashion, lifestyle, art, and culture. It became a space where I could share my perspective as an editor, Menswear Professor at FIT, and creative director, providing readers with insights on trends, styling, and the broader world of fashion and lifestyle.
My entrepreneurial venture, POTRO Menswear, grew from a personal passion and a market opportunity: the need for high-quality, culturally authentic LATINX menswear in the U.S. With POTRO, we design apparel, accessories, and fragrance that celebrate identity, heritage, and style. We solve a problem for our clients by offering products that combine technical excellence, attention to detail, and cultural storytelling—something that is rare in the menswear space. What sets us apart is our commitment to authenticity, quality, and elevating the LATINX narrative through fashion.
I’m most proud of creating brands and platforms that are not only visually and creatively strong but also meaningful—whether it’s educating the next generation of menswear designers at FIT, telling fashion stories through StyleLujo, or launching a menswear brand that resonates with culture and community.
For potential clients, followers, or fans, I want them to know that my work is driven by vision, creativity, and purpose. Whether it’s through a fashion campaign, a digital story, or a clothing collection, I strive to create experiences that inspire, connect, and celebrate individuality.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My journey in fashion and creative direction has been anything but linear—it’s been a series of challenges, pivots, and learning experiences that taught me resilience and persistence. Early in my career, breaking into editorial and fashion media wasn’t easy. Landing roles as a Creative Fashion Director at major publications like Esquire, Playboy, Forbes, Forbes Life, and People required patience, persistence, and the ability to adapt to fast-changing trends and high-pressure deadlines.
Launching StyleLujo.com while managing editorial responsibilities and leading fashion campaigns tested my ability to juggle multiple priorities and navigate the business side of creative work. There were moments of doubt, from funding challenges to tight production timelines, but staying focused on my vision allowed me to turn obstacles into opportunities.
With POTRO Menswear, resilience became even more personal. Building a brand from the ground up—designing culturally authentic LATINX menswear, sourcing production, coordinating campaigns, and creating a loyal audience—required every lesson I had learned in editorial, academia, and creative direction. Every setback, whether a delayed shipment, a creative roadblock, or a marketing challenge, became a chance to problem-solve, innovate, and grow stronger.
Through it all, I’ve learned that resilience is about persistence, adaptability, and maintaining belief in your vision even when the path is unclear. My career has been shaped not just by successes, but by how I’ve responded to challenges—and that mindset continues to fuel my work in fashion, media, and education today.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Absolutely—my mission is to build a menswear brand that blends vision, style, and integrity for the next generation. I want POTRO to speak directly to rising consumers like Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who care about authenticity, representation, and meaningful design. For me, it’s about more than creating clothes—it’s about creating a brand that inspires confidence, celebrates culture, and sets a new standard for how fashion can connect with young, thoughtful, and trend-savvy audiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.josephdeacetis.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephdeacetis/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joseph.deacetis/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephdeacetis/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jdeacetis11/videos?app=desktop
• Other: Over the years, I’ve been invited to share my expertise on TV news stations and fashion channels, providing insights on trends, menswear, and creative direction. I’ve styled, art-directed, and produced every aspect of my projects—from wardrobe styling to casting talent, photographers, and videographers—for cover shoots, fashion editorials, and global advertising campaigns. I’ve worked with global icons including Elon Musk, Playboi Carti, Cindy Crawford, Katy Perry, Richard Branson, A$AP Rocky, and many more, creating content that has been highly successful and widely recognized.
  I’m also an experienced public speaker, having presented at Fashion Weeks, panels, and radio shows around the world. I specialize in brand building, creative strategy, and storytelling, helping brands and projects connect with audiences through bold visuals and thoughtful design. I speak French, Italian, and Spanish, allowing me to collaborate seamlessly with international clients and talent. My work combines hands-on creative execution with strategic insight, making me both a brand builder and a creative expert in the fashion industry.

Image Credits

Art Direction, Styling Productuon: Joseph DeAcetis
Photographer: Macrae Marran