Student
Honduran Immigrant Jesua Rodriguez's DEBUT Collection Represents Her Personal Narrative
In 2016, Jesua Rodriquez placed first in a national FCCLA competition representing Chester W. Nimitz Senior High School in Houston, Texas, and was awarded a scholarship to attend FIDM. Last year, she was accepted into the prestigious Advanced Fashion Design program and will be showing an inspired collection at FIDM’s Annual DEBUT Runway Show event, which will live-stream on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 5:00 PM PDT. As a Honduran immigrant, her greatest desire is to inspire others who come from a similar background. Dedicated to her mother for being “a fierce woman” and a consistent positive force in her life, her DEBUT collection features a blossoming flower which she says represents her story of growth and beauty. We caught up with her to learn more about her journey.
Tell us a little about yourself: I am one of four daughters of a powerful single mother. I am also proud to say I am a Honduran immigrant living the American dream that many seek. I come from very humble beginnings and although being a fashion designer is something I always dreamed of, I never pictured myself being in design school because of my financial status. I can say that I am living proof that regardless of a financial status or immigration status one can turn dreams into reality. My biggest desire is to inspire others who come from a similar background.
Tell us about your DEBUT collection: As a designer, one always dreams about their first collection; I am no exception. I never knew how I would execute the idea of telling my story through fashion, but I knew my first collection had to be personal to me. I dedicate this collection to my mother for being such a fierce woman and never giving up on my sisters and me. My mom is the type of mother who will encourage one to dream and push oneself to chase dreams regardless of a financial status. I endured a very traumatic childhood, and if I did not have her support I do not know where I would be. My collection is a narrative about myself, and I tell the story through a blossoming flower, hence the name of the collection, “Blossom.” The flower is a representation of myself as I grow and let go of a dark past and finally allow myself to flourish into a better future. I am highly pleased with the outcome of my collection and cannot wait to share it with the world.
What silhouettes and fabrics can we expect to see? Expect to see a combination of edgy and feminine silhouettes. My collection is divided into two micro groups within the ten-piece collection. The reason for this is because of the story that the collection tells. I want to represent my past with a darker color palette and then transition into a happier present/future using bold colors on a very feminine look. Silk organza will be used to bring volume, whereas pleather, 4-ply crepe, and gabardine will bring structure to help the vision come to life.
What is your point of view, as a designer? My point of view as a designer is to see the beauty in everything. When I sketch, I like to think of the runway as my canvas, and every look that I design is a walking piece of art. I want to make a powerful statement without the use of words through every look that I create. I believe that fashion is an expression, not just a way of clothing ourselves.
How do you hope people will feel when they see your designs? When people see my designs, I want them to connect with me on an emotional level. I want them to see more than a garment. I want them to see my passion and the power that I convey through every design.
What inspires you as a creative and as a fashion designer? I am sure you have heard this from many designers, but inspiration comes from anything and anywhere. However, I find that the things that inspire me most are those that can connect with the viewer emotionally and impact their life. Inspiration for me can be something visible, but it can also be based on a feeling, a memory, and things that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
What is a lesson you’ve learned as you’ve been working on your collection? The biggest lesson I have learned while working on my collection is to always stay true to myself. The initial collection that I sketched is nothing like the collection that will be walking down the runway. In the beginning I was not happy; I hated everything that I sketched because it felt like I was sketching to make others happy, but I was not staying true to who I am as a designer.
Tell us about your path to FIDM: My path to FIDM was very bumpy. Like I had previously mentioned, I come from an underprivileged background. Being raised by a single parent who was underpaid because of an immigrant status. College was something I always dreamed of, but I knew that the only way I would step foot in a university was through a scholarship, so I challenged myself. I remember sitting in my fashion design class as a sophomore in high school, and there were two FIDM recruiters selling the dream of being a fashion student at FIDM. This is where the desire to go to FIDM began. A few months passed and I found out that if I joined a club, FCCLA, and competed nationally the winner would be awarded a scholarship to attend FIDM. I joined and I was blessed to place first nationally in 2016 winning the scholarship to attend FIDM. However, this scholarship was on hold because of my immigration status, but I was able to start my FIDM journey two years later.
How is FIDM helping you get closer to your career goals? FIDM has helped set the foundation needed to step into the career field. That foundation is needed to be able to speak the same language in a workspace, and the workspace is where you will further grow and develop with real life experiences. We NEVER stop learning!
Any advice for someone considering applying to be a DEBUT student? My best advice to someone who is considering applying to be in DEBUT is to be your best self. Think about that uniqueness you have that will make you stand out from the crowd. Be confident, believe in your talent, and sell yourself!
Anything else you’d like to share? DREAM BIG. Do not shape your dreams to be the size of your surroundings. Dream limitless regardless of how crazy it may seem. Believe in yourself and your capabilities. Do this and everything will fall into place at the right time.
Keep up with Jesua on Instagram @jesua_daniela.
Categories: Fashion Design Student
