Raul Peñaranda has carved his place in New York’s fashion landscape by harmonizing heritage and heart. As a Latino creative, he has always admired the elegance of houses like Oscar de la Renta, honing his craft as a design assistant for him and other iconic brands.
A Friend of the CFDA, he launched his first collection in 2010 and defined his brand by being intentional with emotion and his passion for storytelling, delivered with confidence as part of RP experience.
True to the kindness at the heart of his brand, Peñaranda embraces sustainability as a defining responsibility. For him, beauty and ethics are inseparable.
After 31 collections, he now steps into a new chapter with his debut on the Official New York Fashion Week Schedule next month.
Where are you from? How is your hometown or background weaved into your designs?
I was born in Cali, Colombia, and grew up between Caracas, Venezuela, and Miami, Florida. My mother, a talented seamstress, inspired me to pursue fashion design—or as she called it, “storytelling.” My father instilled in me discipline. My Latin roots are the heart and soul of the brand, blended with an American twist shaped by my experiences working with iconic fashion houses such as Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen and Nicole Miller. Three words that best describe my brand are “shine,” “sheer,” and “flow,” offering a perfect balance of seduction and sophistication.
In the beginning stages of creating a collection, where do you search for inspiration?
As a storyteller, all my inspiration comes from the emotions I’m experiencing at a specific moment in my life. Whether it’s happiness or sorrow, each collection becomes the way I express those feelings to the world through fabrics, colors, and silhouettes. I don’t feel that I design dresses—I create emotions.
This upcoming collection is called Bloom. Even though it is my 32nd uninterrupted collection at NYFW, under the guidance and support of the CFDA, it feels like the first show of the second phase of my brand journey. I feel visible. I feel seen. I feel supported. I feel humbled. Most of all, I feel that I belong.
What was your first experience with NYFW and how has that shaped you as a designer?
My first experience with NYFW in 2010 was surreal. As a new designer, I was nervous that no one would come to see my collection—but the opposite happened. Feeling nervous, proud, happy, and anxious all at once taught me to be consistent, disciplined, and humble, and to define the “why” behind my work and commitment to fashion.
I am dedicated on becoming a patron of American fashion, much like my mentors before me. This journey is both my dream and my beautiful reality.
If you had to use one of your own pieces for the rest of your life, which would it be and why?
It would be our signature V-neck sleeveless gown with a side slit. Its versatility makes it perfect for any occasion, depending on the fabric, and it can even be transformed into a short dress for daytime wear. It embodies simplicity and refinement all at once. We are a sustainable luxury brand crafted with kindness.
