In honor of Latinx Heritage Month, Carlos Juan Torres, Executive Vice President/General Merchandise Manager of Omni Retail for North America at PVH, shares how his experiences in the fashion industry influence the work he is doing today and how he is working to ensure greater diversity and empowerment of Latinx professionals in the workforce.

How have you empowered Latinx professionals in their professional journey?

Whenever the opportunity presents itself, my goal is to empower colleagues and direct reports, whether Latinx or not, through open communication, transparency, and other supportive methods. I often implement a guided yet not micromanaged methodology. The key is to learn from our mistakes, rather than labeling a mistake as something negative. It is imperative to identify teachable moments where often, through trial and error, comes great insight.

I also encourage all professionals to speak their truth. A quote by Henry David Thoreau comes to mind, “We are constantly invited to be who we are.” Concerning diverse communities, society has taught us that to be accepted, especially in a corporate environment, we must fit into a mold that often leads us to be somewhat or entirely inauthentic. The inauthenticity can manifest itself in various situations. For example, not speaking up in meetings to appear humble, second-guessing our insights and opinions, fear of acknowledging when we do not know something, pretending to be on board with a majority when we feel the complete opposite, and the list goes on. By encouraging our colleagues to speak their truth, we celebrate and support who they are as individuals, their voices, points of view, ideas, and suggestions—every voice matters.

How have your experiences in the fashion industry influenced where you are today?

My experiences in the fashion industry have been vast and remarkable, and for that, I am thankful. Working for brands like Calvin Klein, Esprit, and Tommy Hilfiger has been notably influential in my formation and growth as a fashion industry professional. In particular, I can think of three that influenced where I am today.

Those, which required and led me to take calculated risks. While I am not a risk-taker, they taught me to trust in myself, my instincts, and my decision-making abilities.

Others have more to do with the overall trajectory of my career. I have been very fortunate to work for organizations whose corporate culture aligned with my core values, which allowed me to be myself.

Lastly, there is the day to day where I observed that listening plays a key role. When we listen to learn, and not hear to respond, then other people’s insights and ideas shine and become contributors to success. As a leader, I am always open to new ideas, new ways of doing things, and willingness to change when needed.

For someone inspired by your career trajectory, what advice and resources would you encourage them to pursue?

The first and possibly most critical piece of advice I would give is to identify what they are passionate about. When we are passionate about something, we tend to love it, and when we love what we do, it does not feel like work.

It is equally important to identify their core values. I suggest looking for organizations and industries whose culture is similar to and aligns with what they have identified, which in my experience led to a sense of fulfillment, security, growth, and ultimately- success.

Finally, I encourage building or being part of a diverse team, who are lifelong learners, have a strong sense of self, and are not afraid to use their voices.  As leaders, we are rarely experts in every area we oversee. Hiring in this manner promotes innovation, creative problem solving, and consistent growth. Continually improving and raising the bar when it comes to whom we surround ourselves with is vital.

How have you seen diversity play a role in the success of a business?

When it comes to business, success occurs whenever corporations recognize the influence and purchasing power of diverse communities and make conscious decisions based on inclusivity. When referring to product design and development in the fashion industry, this is especially true. Looking at one increasing population (18 percent Latinx), success is achieved when brands know and understand the demographics. It is essential to consider things like body type, end-use of product, affordability, and how they interact with brands, to name a few. Inclusivity in product design and marketing leads to brand loyalty. We want our customers to feel and know they matter.

The reality is that learning and understanding diverse communities’ needs go far beyond standard data gathering, analytics, and processing. Successful businesses ensure diversity and inclusion are ingrained in their company structure and culture. Diverse voices and points of view are a recipe for success.

Why is Latinx Heritage Month important to you?

It is important because this is a time to honor and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of diverse Latinx communities. We celebrate and acknowledge our similarities and differences, our successes and struggles, and the sacrifices of so many that came before us. On their shoulders we stand, as we look to a more inclusive and brighter future.

Educational programs provide Latinx communities with the ability to get in touch with and/or preserve their heritage. It is important to note that some Latinx households still encourage their children to speak English exclusively for the sake of fitting in or being “more American.” Therefore, this is also a moment to pause, reflect, and ask ourselves – do we respect and celebrate one another for speaking a different language, or do we continue to denounce it?

Latinx Heritage Month reminds me that there is a considerable void in American culture, including how we are or are not represented. It gives Latinx a voice and presents role models in a country that’s still culturally Anglo-Saxon. So we must explore both corporate, educational, and social settings and continuously ask ourselves, do our boards reflect all our faces’ true grace? Do our textbooks capture all of our stories? Do our children feel forced to deny who they are to fit in?  These are questions we should continue to ask ourselves.

How would you encourage brands and/or individuals honor Latinx heritage month?

On an individual level, there are many things you can do to honor Latinx heritage month. For example, support Latinx owned restaurants and businesses; watch a film, documentary, or series that teaches you about the different cultures. Take a cooking class or cozy up with a good book by a Latinx author. If you are able to, travel and take advantage of an immersive experience within one of the many countries that represent this diverse community.

In a corporate setting, summits can be very successful. Brands can invite speakers to forums like roundtables and Coffee Chats and highlight events that acknowledge, empower, and celebrate Latinx colleagues, which can help foster inclusion. These events might also focus on food, musical groups, Latinx artists, and more.

I would also encourage brands to utilize their internal newsletters, intranets, or social media campaigns as great ways to disseminate information, highlight cultural nuances, and show that diversity and inclusion are priorities within the organization.