While any fashionmonger is likely already chomping at the bit to tune into the triumphant return of “Project Runway” (with original judge Heidi Klum, to boot) tonight, locals will be especially delighted to hear that one of our very own will be competing for the top prize this season. Though he currently resides in the fashion capital that is New York, Angelo Rosa is a born and raised Rhode Islander hailing from Providence’s Washington Park. We caught up with the talented designer ahead of the premiere to learn everything about his Rhody roots, successful career path and his experience on the show. No spoilers, we promise!
How did you first get into fashion?
I became interested in fashion in middle school — I went to Roger Williams Middle School. I took a Home Economics class and that was the first time I learned how to sew. I used to customize jeans for other students so that they matched all the new Jordans that were coming out.
Oh, that’s so cool. So kids were seeing your clothing and then taking requests?
Yeah it was actually pretty cool, now that I sit back and look at how my career has progressed so much.
PROJECT RUNWAY – Freeform’s “Project Runway” stars Angelo Rosa. (Disney/Heidi Gutman)
Are there any local shops that you loved growing up or got inspiration from?
Yeah! Sneaker Junkies, it’s one of my favorite shops in Rhode Island. It was actually one of my first retail jobs. It’s actually one of the first stores in Rhode Island that had a lot of good Street Wear, which is more my thing. And then there was a skate shop called Seven Ply out of Westerly, and another down south I think named Civil. Those were my three favorite shops where I’d go for clothes that you couldn’t find in the mall – at that time, people weren’t really shopping online. They had a big influence on me.
Did you go to school for fashion?
Yes, I got my Associates in Fashion Merchandising at Johnson & Wales University. I had a professor named Melanie St. Jean who really saw the vision in me as a creative person more than someone who was working behind the scenes and handling the business end of the fashion industry. She helped me with my portfolio and helped me apply to fashion schools. I got accepted to the Art Institute of New York and earned a Bachelors in Fashion Design for Women’s Wear. I’ve been in New York for about eighteen years now.
When did you get involved with Cult of Individuality?
I’ve been at Cult for about eight years. I started off as a regular designer and slowly worked my way up. I’ve been the head designer for a couple years now, so I’ve been able to pretty much reshape the brand, give it a brand new image and make it a complete lifestyle brand.
How would you describe your design style?
I’m a people watcher and I’m really into trend forecasting. So I like to figure out what’s coming up next and what’s going to be the new trend, like whether it’s skinny jeans or baggy jeans. Because I have a degree in design, I’m able to practice lot. I have my sewing machine, so I’m able to get a lot of my ideas out of my head and brought to life. Pretty much my design elements mostly are super edgy, very fashion-forward and trend setting. I’m not scared to try anything new. I always like to design things that are new, fresh and outside of the box.
That must have come in handy for “Project Runway,” I’m sure. Did you grow up watching the show? What made you want to go out for it?
I definitely have been watching the show since the first season. It was always one of my dreams to be on the show, so it’s amazing that twenty-one seasons later I’m here. I’m glad that I was able to take it off my bucket list.
But I’ve always had professors and friends in the industry who would reach out and tell me to apply whenever they saw applications were available. So it was amazing to finally get the opportunity. I did go through an interview process and I showed them some of my work. They wanted to get to know me and who I am as a person and what I currently do as the head designer of Cult. And then we went from there — everything aligned perfectly with work and my life as a dad. It was so exciting once I got picked.
What was it like working with Heidi Klum and other fashion icons?
It was a really, really crazy experience to see Heidi on the show. I was so excited that the season that I was on is the season, that she came back. That was really cool. Also working along with [former project Runway winner and current season mentor] Christian Siriano, who’s always been one of my biggest inspirations as a designer. From watching the show I’ve seen his career just go to a whole another level after he did the show.
It must have been so cool to get his feedback.
Yeah and he has such an amazing personality. Every episode that he was there he just wrote like a certain light to the show.
I know you can’t get too much into specifics about your time on the show, but is there anything you’re looking forward to people seeing?
Yeah, I’m looking forward for people to see that I’m not just a menswear designer, that I can also design for women. And I’m also really excited for people to see my creativity and the way my mind works.
PROJECT RUNWAY – “Feel the Burn” – After a shake-up in the houses, the designers are challenged to create a multipurpose athleisure look that mixes fashion and function. (Disney/Spencer Pazer)
Is there anything else you would want people to know?
One of my main things that I said on the show constantly was I just wanted to inspire the younger kids to understand that fashion is not dead. And that old school fashion where it comes to creating your own patterns, sketches, and actually sitting down in front of the sewing machine is the way to go. It’s something that’s slowly dying that shouldn’t be. You know, you have to practice, practice, practice. It’s like anything: the more you practice, the better you get at it.
Also, just never give up on your dreams and just work hard, always. Dreams can come true as long as you stick to it.
If you want to see one of Angelo’s dreams come true, check out the season 21 premiere of “Project Runway” tonight, Thursday, July 31, on Freeform starting at 9 p.m. The episodes will also be available to stream shortly afterwards on Hulu and Disney+. Subsequent episodes will air weekly starting at 10 p.m.
