Vicky Alfaro

ES- How was your experience working with Latino fashion week? Did it empower you as a Latina to make yourself known in such a tough industry such as fashion that is not really diverse?

VA- It was an experience I would do again! I met so many well-known people and being able to connect with each other, because of our backgrounds was also a nice thing. I am so glad Chicago participates in this event and it just shows how diverse the city is.

ES- Was having a role model such as Maria Pinto and working along side her helped you personally with how you want to gear your fashion career?

VA-Yes of course! Working with her made my passion for fashion styling grow

even more. She gave me the best advice and helped build my portfolio in the right direction.

ES- Are there any other influential Latina women in the fashion industry that you aspire to be like or that bring a positive light to the Latin community?

VA- I believe Carolina Herrera has been very influential in the Latin community. She is a powerful fashion designer who took fashion to another level who dressed first ladies, class A divas, and royalty. With her elegant, gorgeous styles she reminds non-Latinos again and again that Hispanics can and often do have the best of tastes. Instead of letting her class and styles slum down, she exquisitely forces us to look higher and that’s a good thing!

ES- Being, a student at Columbia College Chicago, there is not much diversity in our classrooms, has there ever been a moment where you felt out of place due to your background?

VA- No, not really. It just makes me stand out more!

ES- How important is it for you to make peers on campus that are of similar or same ethnicity as you?

VA- Pretty important just because we would connect and relate better with each other.

ES- What kind of impact do you want to make in the fashion industry as young Latina woman?

VA- Fashion is always evolving and I would like to bring back trends or create my own style and let all the women in the world express themselves through fashion!

ES- What advice do you give young girls, who want to follow a path in fashion?

VA- Just that dreams can and do happen. Set goals for yourself and you can accomplish anything!

ES- What is quote you live by?

VA- " Be the women you want to be" - Diane Von Furstenburg