RAINE MAGAZINE Volume 16 | Innovate

FASHION TO LIVE FOR
DESIGNER
RICARDO SECO
“Absolute Certainty”
By J.L. Arevalo
Ricardo Seco, an up-and-coming fashion designer
from Mexico, has a tattoo symbol on his right wrist,
which means “Absolute Certainty.” This is the kind
of person he is, and you can see it in his designs.
Right before his most recent New York Fashion
Week show, he was very calm, completely in control,
and admirably down to earth. Let’s get inside this
designer’s mind.
RAINE: Tell us about your inspiration.
SECO: The concept for my design is “Urban
Orthodox.” I lived in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for six
months and that’s where I got my inspiration. I had
a very good experience living with the Orthodox
Jewish Community. I love the black coat, and they
really believe in their tradition. They believe in music,
the arts, and many things. When they believe it they
feel alive, and this is why I call my collection “Alive.”
RAINE: You used to have a successful business in
Mexico, and you gave all that up before you became
a designer to follow your dream. What kind of
challenges did you experience?
SECO: I was the general manager for an import
and export business, but I felt I was not complete,
so I went to Milan and studied there. I was a late
bloomer; when I started; I was 31 years old.
RAINE: If Michelle Obama came to you and said,
“I am not happy with my husband’s wardrobe,” how
would you change it?
SECO: I like President Obama a lot. I see him in a
classic suit but I know he is chic. I would put him in
a skinny pants, white shirt with leather jacket. He will
look great, and with Converse shoes he would be
the most stylish president!
RAINE: What do you want people to get out of the
collection show?
SECO: All communities give you something and you
never know. When you see the people you never
know what is inside. You have to take the time to
know why they dress like that, and I am sure you will
be surprised. This is homage to the Jewish people.
When I saw them I like what they wore. When I see
the hat, I see cool. When you keep your tradition,
you will have your own identity. In the end I want the
Urban Orthodox to walk with absolute certainty.
PHOTOS COURTESY RICARDO SECO
As for the show itself, it was congruent with his
thoughts. The outfits themselves were simple,
functional, and tradition-minded – none of the
exotic animals, space suits, or intimidating makeup
characteristic of other fashion week exhibitions. The
models strode out one-by-one as if on their way to
school, with leather paneled coats and modern man
purse in hand. The monochromatic color scheme
never looked so masculine and sharp. Black is
the new black again. On each of their heads were
tassels and a yarmulke, a symbol and a reminder
to that “God is above us”. That it is important to
celebrate your heritage and culture. Ultimately, as
Ricardo Seco has demonstrated, less is always
more, and anyone can afford to be stylish.