´ Del Castillo
FashionRaul
“Respect for the Rights of Others Means Peace”
by Laila Silva
For the average person, clothing
is just a necessity. However, for
many of the designers behind the
clothes we wear, each item is a
masterpiece that tells a story. This
is the case for Raúl Del Castillo, a
designer from Acapulco, Mexico,
now residing in Florida. Growing
up, Del Castillo always gravitated
towards art, and at an early age,
he found exactly what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.
“Since I was very young, I knew I
wanted to be an artist. I dwell in
different aspects of art, but when I
got to middle school, I discovered
I wanted to be a fashion designer.
Then, in my senior year of high
school, I was able to enroll in a
part-time class at Orlando Technical College, where I learned how
to sew. It was very challenging at
first, but I managed to succeed. I
was so excited to be doing what I
always dreamed of.”
co and waiting for his immigration
paperwork to be approved, he was
able to move to America at the age
of twelve. This experience inspires
every design he creates: “I always
make sure to remember where I
came from. The colors and the
aromas of Acapulco always come
to mind when I’m designing. I
go to my happy place, and that’s
usually some memory of living in
Mexico. From there, I just let the
magic happen.”
her empowering
story, Del Castillo
knew he needed
to design her dress
for the event. “I
reached out to Tonya saying I found
her background
fascinating, and I
just love a strong
and powerful woman. I offered to
design a dress for
her, and the rest is
Magic is exactly what Del Castillo history. She is
photo by Luna Dulcinea Photography
is making out of his clothing line. a doll to work
He is already creating a name for for. The dress
himself in Central Florida by par- I did for The Art of Fashion was ing for feel special. There is too
ticipating in prestigious events named ‘Pandora’s Box’ because at much hate going around, and in
in places such as Park Avenue the end, when you open the box, order for us to move forward, we
Fashion Week, where he was an all you can have is hope–hope need to learn to be more kind and
emerging designer finalist. He also that a cure for Parkinson’s will be compassionate. We often focus on
played a huge part at The Art of found.”
judging one another, but we don’t
Fashion, an event which benefits
reflect on what we can do for othThe Michael J. Fox Foundation Del Castillo not only uses his tal- ers. As Mexican President Benito
and is organized by the popular ents for a good cause, but also to Juárez once said, ‘Respect for the
While learning to sew was a bit of Orlando blogger, Tonya Walker, empower people no matter what rights of others means peace.’”
a challenge for Del Castillo, find- of TheShoeMaven.com. Walker their background, size, or sexual
ing inspiration for his designs was was diagnosed with Parkinson’s orientation might be. “My job is He knows he was lucky to come
not. After years of living in Acapul- disease herself and, after hearing to make the person I’m design- to America and have the right to
education– something not every
photo by Kyle Mould Photography, modeled by Francia Fonseca
immigrant has a right to. “I believe education is the highest power someone can achieve. And if it
were possible for immigrants and
non-immigrants to do so, it would
be a plus for our nation. We need
more people with knowledge to
focus on the future and make a
difference in the world.”
Del Castillo’s ultimate goal is to
take his designs to the next level
and make it a known brand, all
while continually making a positive impact in the fashion word.
You can see more at:
@RaulDelCastilloDesigns
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