FASHION’S LATEST FRESHMAN: LEO TORRENEGRA
Q: How did you discover your interest in fashion and what drove you to following its reality?
A: I feel like I've always had a sense of style and it's something that I've always naturally been interested in. But as a journey, I think fashion is one of those things that came full circle for me. I grew up in my grandmother’s house and she was the one who indirectly introduced me to my passion for design. I'd watch her fix and even make some of my clothes and I'd watch her as she'd work. I also used to design and sketch clothes in the back of my school notebooks, and around the age of 9 or 10, I designed my first pieces of clothing that I ended up wearing to my cousin’s quinces. I grew up and started picking up new interests in sports and other things so designing or sketching wasn’t a thing for me anymore. After high school, I started to venture into photography and started helping out a friend with his brand. I was taking photos of his pieces and styling looks for him. Eventually, that would lead me to create a brand of my own.
Q: What is the main message you want to deliver with your designs?
A: Every design is different, every story is different, so every message is different. I see the story before I see anything else. I believe I’m more in love with creating concepts than I am with making clothes. I try to create from a place of feelings, emotions, and purpose. The message isn’t always clear or fully detailed at first, but it comes together as the ideas begin to take shape.
Q: How have you navigated the creative space as a Latino fashion designer and how do you advocate for yourself and your work?
A: I think of myself as a free-form creative. I like to express my ideas in different ways, not only through clothing. Sometimes the vision for the story is meant to be told through a film, a book, or a song, so that’s the way I’ll go about it. I’m very devoted and passionate about what I do, so I aspire for my work to speak for itself and to inspire others.
I’m very proud of where I come from and I like to honor my Latino background in my work, even though it may not always be in a super direct manner. I’m very intentional when it comes to the work that I put out. For example, the last film we did opens with a voicemail from my grandmother in Spanish, and that was a way of me paying homage to her, and what she’s taught me. It’s also a reference to my Latino roots. However, right after, you can hear a Mac Miller song playing which is a play on how his music has inspired me and what it was like growing up here in the States. I believe bringing both of the cultures I grew up with in tandem is the best and most honest way to represent my work.
Q: Have you ever felt discouraged to create and how did you overcome your feelings of doubt?
A: Of course. Thankfully, I haven’t felt that way in a while though, but I think that’s inevitable for all creatives. For me, I’ve always felt like I have something special, something that nobody else has and that’s my story. My view of the world and what I have to say it’s something that only I can express and that keeps me going. I’m learning to trust God with the process, to be more patient with myself, and to understand why I am doing what I’m doing. I think once you start to acknowledge what your goal is, what your vision is, and what you want to communicate, you will start to feel more at peace and aligned with your purpose.
Q: What are your end goals for your brand, and where do you see it going in the future?
A: Legacy. I recently wrote in my notes: “I’m happy with the idea of WITIFORIAL STUDIOS being here 30 years from now, that now doesn’t really worry me”. I’m still grateful and excited to be living in the present and to continue to work on growing this community. To be able to create more, do more events, do more films, etc. But to be honest, what excites me more than anything and what drives me the most is being able to pass this down to my kids one day.
Q: What is the inspiration behind your latest collection?
A: The inspiration comes from my high school years. From experiences that I had, to things that I would wear, to the music I would listen to and games that I would play. It’s really all there. Last year I presented a sample of what the collection would look like at the school fashion show. Then I shot and presented a film with some more ideas and the inspo behind the collection and hopefully this year, we’ll start bringing some of those pieces out along with the full story.
Q: How do you want people to feel when wearing your clothes?
A: I want them to feel like how you feel when you buy a house. I haven’t experienced that myself yet but I’m assuming it’s something in between joy, happiness, and fulfillment. It’s an investment you’re going to want to take care of, something you’re going to keep for a long time and hopefully one day leave for your kids. That’s the feeling I would like to transmit with my pieces.
You can watch Leo’s latest film here: https://witiforial.com/studios/
After releasing his debut ready to wear “Freshman Year” collection for his clothing brand, WITIFORIAL STUDIOS, Leo is ready to continue on his path of creative design and innovation.
