Meet Monica Leigh Rodriquez

 

We were lucky to catch up with Monica Leigh Rodriquez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica Leigh, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Retrospectively, I discovered my purpose thinking back upon the time when I was a kid about 7 or 8 years old. At that time, I was the youngest of a large family. Demands were high for my parents, running a household, working a lot to keep us in a good house. I wasn’t the happiest kid, but I was creative and pensive. One day I remember not knowing what to wear to school. My mom took me to my closet to pick something to wear. I looked into my closet and I focused only on my Easter dress, pale yellow, ruffle hem and neck, short puffy sleeves, little sweet flowers; I wanted to wear that! So I asked, and my mom said yes! I was so happy, I felt so good in my dress, and I felt special. Wearing this dress was not typical, and my teacher liked it too! I learned at that young age a few things; 1) wear what you want, 2) choose clothes you feel good in, and 3) it’s ok to wear things that are not like what everyone else is wearing. The core of it is be uniquely you in your wardrobe.
That moment created my later purpose; to design uniquely beautiful things that people feel good in!

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Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My collection, Monica Leigh, a creative apparel collection, is going into the international market this August and September! International sales launch this July 2024! It is such a great place to arrive you! It took so long to get to international sales. I am excited about the possibilities. I’ll share creativity and unique vision in my collections!

The branding of my collection and the logo has undergone tremendous work with a wonderful international team! I am also launching a new website in June. Stay tuned! It is dark, dramatic, beautiful, and inspiring!

In tandem, I am going to Graduate College in 2025 to earn a Masters in Sociology. I want to make contributions to the field of Sociology to further understanding of interaction and disparities. I eventually plan to do sociological research.

Lastly, I lecture at Otis College of Art and Design in the Fashion BFA Program. It is so rewarding and such a wonderful place to be.

Stay tuned for MonicaLeigh.com website launch this June and international sales placement mid summer and available to buy Winter ‘24/‘25 Spring ‘25!

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Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Knowing all phases of design have been the most impactful to me. Design sketching, illustration, draping, pattern making, ans cutting and sewing have been forces of success. I have carried these talents with me all throughout my career. At small boutique companies, these talents ensure I can do multiple jobs, at large companies these talents ensure I know how to direct a team of people to follow vision and quality..

Keeping a calm yet responsive attitude in fashion and a strong work ethic have made my journey a successful one.

My advice to all of those out there wanting to go into fashion, is, first and foremost, fashion is hard, yet rewarding. It is glamorous, it is cool, it is expansive, it is creative; however, Fashion Is Demanding, Fashion is Aggressive, Fashion Is Competitive, and Fashion is All About Tight Timelines. Be prepared. You will not change the pace of fashion, so, find ways to work through the stress and the pressure, then enjoy the creativity and expression within it.

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What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Fashion Design is overwhelming. Fashion Design is all about tight timelines and demands. People within your own organization where you work can get crazy under the pressure. Do not self destruct, do not become addicted to a substance. If you want to be successful in fashion, know you will be challenged and know that you have to be astute. Have a glass of wine here and there ( 1 not 5), spend time with friends and family. DO YOGA, Go for massages and mani-pedi’s. Most importantly, make sure you are designing within the right category for you, do not compromise. Do not let people make you work until midnight, 8pm is the latest….control your weekends. Respect you and make sure people pay you well and right!

Contact Info:

 

 

Image Credits

Scott Mitchel
Dylan Perlot
Soukena
Donna Feldman
Bong Buan
Alan Montes

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