FOR YOUR PHOTOSHOOT, YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO STYLE YOUR OWN LOOKS. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE PARTICULAR OUTFITS YOU WERE PHOTOGRAPHED IN?

Both of these looks are vibrant and fun. I adore Jonathan’s use of color and print.

YOU HAVE SAID THAT YOUR LOVE FOR FASHION STARTED FROM A YOUNG AGE. WHAT IS THE MOST PROMINENT AND INFLUENTIAL MEMORY OF FASHION THAT YOU HAVE FROM GROWING UP?

I remember that when I visited my aunt in Colombia, she had a large closet filled with shoes and bags. I'd spend hours there playing with the clothes and trying everything on.

HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH JONATHAN COHEN?

Our mutual friend Karla Martinez, Editor of Vogue Mexico, put us in touch! Our first time speaking was when I was working with Yalitza Aparicio for her press junket for "Roma." She wore Jonathan Cohen for an event.

WHEN CURATING YOUR CLIENTS’ LOOKS, WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR? HOW HAVE YOU WORKED TOWARDS BALANCING YOUR OWN STYLE WITH EACH OF YOUR CLIENTS?

I curate the looks based on the individual, their personality, body type and their taste. With that in mind, I select for them, but with my eye. If that makes sense. I select different things for every client.

HOW DO YOU FEEL COVID HAS CHANGED YOUR WORK AND INFLUENCED WHAT YOU LOOK FOR WHEN STYLING CLIENTS? DO YOU FIND YOURSELF TAKING DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO YOU WORK THAN YOU DID BEFORE THE PANDEMIC?

Well, in some ways it's been nice, not having those live red carpets and live events, since there's so much beyond your control, once a client leaves, anything can happen between then and the venue / red carpet. So in that respect it feels slightly less pressurized. But the carpets are coming back now so it won't be for much longer!

HOW DO YOU STRIVE TO EXPAND INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY? DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR OTHER LATIN WOMEN WORKING TO MAKE IT IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY? HOW DO YOU STRIVE TO EXPAND INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY? DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR OTHER LATIN WOMEN WORKING TO MAKE IT IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY?

I try to do what I can. It's never enough, but you do what you can. I'm very proud of my Latin American heritage. I'm aware that there aren't too many of us in this industry. And I'm also aware and have experienced the struggles of coming from an immigrant family and everything that comes with that. So I try to talk about it. Because, I know that sometimes it's difficult to imagine a future that looks so different to the circumstances you grow up in. But if I can do it, anyone can. You just have to keep pushing and working hard. And then once you get there, make sure to do your part to include / hire more people from our community.

HOW HAS YOUR LATIN AMERICAN HERITAGE CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR STYLE AND TASTE IN FASHION?

I love color, my work is colorful. I'm attracted to brights and tropical palettes. That's a direct influence from Latin culture.

YOUR JOURNEY TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW IS ESPECIALLY FASCINATING AND CERTAINLY VERY RELATABLE. WHAT WAS THE MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT LIKE YOU GAINED CLARITY IN WHAT ROLE YOU WANTED TO PLAY IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY?

Well, I think that's still evolving and will constantly evolve as I grow as a person. What I know for sure, is that I want to come from a place of truth and stay authentic. To know and accept who I am and not try to 'keep up with the Jones's' or follow the crowd. This industry can sometimes feel elitist and pretentious. The one thing I'm sure of is that that's not what I want to put out.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEY WANT TO WORK IN FASHION, BUT AREN'T SURE WHERE THEY CAN FIT IN?

My advice is to take the leap and try. It's a tough industry, and not everyone makes it. But you'll never know unless you try.