Meet Rosalinda De La Cruz | Creative Director & Designer of The De La Cruz Collection

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rosalinda De La Cruz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rosalinda, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
Thank you for asking this! My goal is to make my brand a household name up there with the likes of Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren. I would love to see my brand amongst these powerhouse brands bringing my Mexican American influence with my collections. Growing up as a little girl in the border of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas I would have loved to see more representation in fashion from people of color. I’m excited to see that diversity and inclusivity is becoming more prevalent, and I’m here to be a part of the movement.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I decided to follow my passion in late 2017 after years of just dreaming, and I began to research the industry. I think its important to immerse yourself in your industry of choice, and to gain knowledge in all the inner workings of it. The biggest challenge i faced was in March of 2020 when i had a manufacturing meeting set up in LA to start the process of producing my guyabera shirt designs. Unfortunately, that same week is when the shutdowns started happening. So many of us entreprenuers pivoted during this time, and I joined the thousands of mask makers across the world. It wasn’t what i envisioned for the beginning of The De La Cruz Collection, but it kept my creativity going. My motto is think big but smart small, and soon after i was able to purchase my first industrial sewing machine. I began making my own swim covers in my garage, and I learned to grow and cultivate my passion.

I set a goal to show at Miami Swim Week, and was able to showcase my swim covers at the Splash Lounge pop up for the Miami Swim Shows in 2021. Fast forward to this year, and my SS23 20 piece swimsuit collection walked the runway during Las Vegas Swim Week, Miami Swim Week, and NYFW! Coming back from NYFW was exciting as my designs were featured in Harper’s Baazar, Elle, and Marie Claire as part of Flying Solo’s showcase. I also had the honor of collaborating with luxury footwear and accessory brand Deiji Design whose creative director Mark Schwartz has designed shoes for celebs such as Jackie Kennedy, JLo, and Lady Gaga.

I’m also excited to finally release my design of guyabera shirts in 2023 which is a tribute to my late father Mauricio who wore his guyaberas on the daily. I want to reintroduce guyaberas to the modern person with vibrant colors and a stylish fit.

My brand will not only represent my Hispanic culture, but inclusivity of all. I believe in casting models of all sizes, cultures, and abilities. I want that little boy or girl sitting at home seeing themselves represented as i did when i was a child. Fashion is a beautiful thing that needs no words, and i want to be a positive part of the story. My brand es para todos.

I learned to believe in my vision, and any challenge that came my way was just a test. Lesson are always learned and its okay to have setbacks because that is part of the process.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh I’m a foodie! I love trying out different foods, and would take my friend to Versailles restaurant! I love Cuban cuisine, and any opportunity to eat there i’ll take it. I absolutely love the culture of South Florida, and of course we would have to go to the Design District for a quick content shoot before hitting South Beach!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have so much love for the creatives in this industry! I’ve worked with great photographers from NYC, LA, TX and Miami. Thank you to Miami’s own Dwaine Byrd Photography for your encouragement and beautiful shots you’ve taken of my brand from Miami to NYC. I also admire the hard work of the models and influencers who wear my pieces so beautifully and have supported me along the way. Without the models in our industry, we designers would not be able to show our pieces.

Website: www.dlccollection.com

Instagram: @thedelacruzcollection

Facebook: @thedelacruzcollection

Youtube: The De La Cruz Collection

Other: Pinterest: @thedelacruzcollection

Image Credits
Dwaine Byrd Photography with first 6 images. Last 2 images with checkerboard flooring are images provided by Weston Mosburg.