Albania Rosario is the Founder and Creative Director of Uptown Fashion Week. Originally from the Dominican Republic, she uprooted and moved to the New York City in December of 2000 at 18 years old to pursue her academic career. After studying at CUNY– Hunter College, she decided to follow two passions: fashion and serving the community. “I want fashion to deliver and raise awareness to a message, not just purses and dresses,” Rosario states.

It’s now been 17 years since Rosario, came from not knowing any English to running a global fashion platform that has helped develop Latin American designers to their fullest potential. As a young latina woman she has proven to be a role model to the youth.

We invited Rosaria a year ago to Emerging Talent Show during Milan Fashion Week. Now we had a chance to meet up and ask some questions about her projects.

Spy News Magazine: What were some of the challenges in becoming a fashion show producer?

Albania Rosario: Most of the challenges in becoming a fashion show producer was building credibility in one of the most competitive industries in the world, especially in New York where so many incredible shows take place.

Spy News Magazine: What strategies helped — and still help — you achieve the high levels of success you’ve enjoyed?

Albania Rosario: There are many, but one of the strategies that I feel has definitely helped and still helps me to achieve success not only personally,but professionally is to bring Diversity and Culture to our shows. Our group is very talented, diverse and multicultural which continues to open  doors to a bigger and wider audience around the world.

Spy News Magazine: What is the ultimate goal of FDLA?

Albania Rosario: The Ultimate goal is to create a strong fashion platform around the world that recognizes the outstanding work and contributions made to Latin America Fashion by not only established designers but also up and coming talent from the Industry and related arts. I have had the chance to bring some of our FDLA designers to international shows in countries like South Korea & Eastern Europe and we are soon heading to Dubai this coming month of October. Sooner than later we will have Fashion Designers of Latin America everywhere around the world.

Spy News Magazine: What’s the best or most fulfilling aspect of what you do?

Albania Rosario: It is the biggest and most rewarding experience for me to see our designers bring their dreams to life, most of these designers have always dreamed of having that window of opportunities to come to NY Fashion Capital of the World to expand and market their brand outside of their countries. It gives me a lot of Joy to say that the possibilities are endless at FDLA.

Spy News Magazine: What makes FDLA unique?

Albania Rosario: FDLA IS Unique because we use our platform to bring a message, a message about opportunity, about equality, we look for inspiring stories behind each designer, we put our focus in the up and coming, in the diversity , the multicultural, the Arts.

Spy News Magazine: Where do you want to go next? What’s the ultimate dream?

Albania Rosario: FDLA  London, FDLA  Paris, FDLA  New York, FDLA  Milan, FDLA  Hong Kong, FDLA  Japan