Angelo Rosa Is Stitching His Legacy, One Bold Look at a Time

“My philosophy on fashion? If you don’t feel good when you walk out of the house wearing it, then you shouldn’t,” stated Angelo Rosa, sitting across from me in the backroom inside Cult of Individuality’s West Thirty-Ninth Street showroom in New York City.

Rosa, a Dominican-American designer born and raised in Rhode Island, is about to step into the national spotlight as a cast member on season 21 of Project Runway. But long before the cameras rolled, his journey had already been decades in the making. Ahead of next week’s premiere, he sat down with us to reflect on his early beginnings, his love of craft, and how identity, intention, and design intersect in his growing footprint.

From Graffiti to Garment District

While most middle schoolers toyed with fortune tellers and games of M.A.S.H., Rosa already had a keen eye for creativity, having experimented in drawing and graffiti designs. Still, it wasn’t until he got his hands on a sewing machine in a home economics class that it completely changed the game for him. Inspired by skater culture and the early days of Abercrombie & Fitch, he would design jeans for classmates.

“I would write your name, your girlfriend’s name, draw characters, or whatever you want. I’ll sell them for $150, which is pretty good in middle school. That’s when I was like, ‘alright. I really want to get more into fashion.”

School, Side Hustles, and Second Chances

He initially set his sights on Johnson & Wales University in Providence, drawn to its respected business school. There, he enrolled in the fashion merchandising program, diving deep into the business, branding, and logistics of the industry. But something was missing.

It wasn’t until a class project challenged students to design a visual display that his creative instincts kicked into high gear. He went beyond the assignment, delivering something so thoughtfully executed that it caught his professor’s attention, forcing her to push him in his destined direction. He now credits Professor Melanie St. Jean for encouraging that leap of faith.

“She pulled me aside one day and was like, ‘Angelo, you are so creative. You went above and beyond on this project when you didn’t have to. I really think you should consider design school. I don’t see you working in the business side, even though you could kill it. I see you better as a designer,’” he shared.

He took those words to heart and began curating a portfolio, setting his sights on New York City’s premier fashion school, FIT. Though his application was ultimately rejected, the door wasn’t closed for long. Instead, he was accepted into the Art Institute of New York City, the beginning of his formal design education and a deeper dive into the creative side of the industry.

While juggling school and a full-time job, Rosa made it a point to intern anywhere he possibly could. From streetwear staples like 10Deep to heavyweights like Marc Jacobs, he chased every opportunity with intention. Throughout our conversation, he emphasized it again and again: “Intern anywhere you can.” For him, that grind wasn’t optional; it was foundational.

That foundation earned him accolades at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, setting him up to conquer the fashion world. However, the creative was there, but the business and networking foundation was still taking shape, so it was back to the drawing board, this time designing socks.

He let out a chuckle, paused, and gave me a knowing nod. We both knew what kind of gig that was.

But it was that gig that would once again force him to take a leap of faith.

“I stayed there for a year and a half. I actually ended up getting fired because I was working on a custom piece on my birthday at the office for Alex and Filo. I was upset when I got fired because I’ve never been fired from a job. But they did me a favor, they opened my eyes.”

After stints at startups and graphic gigs, he landed the job as the head designer at Cult of Individuality and, by default, their sister brand HVMAN, where he currently holds the position, even giving me a peek at the SS26 collection.

“Our stuff is pretty out there,” he told me while showing me a tee drenched in crystals.

Denim With a Point of View

Cult of Individuality is streetwear with a point of view. Rooted in premium denim but never playing it safe, the brand blends gritty, rock-inspired energy with high-level craftsmanship. Think bold washes, sharp tailoring, and pieces that feel personal, like they’ve already lived a few lives. It’s not about chasing trends; it’s about making your own lane.

Every year, the designer heads to China for a month, hands-on and fully immersed, to design the season’s collection. What starts as classic denim ends up crystal-studded, paint-splashed, and built to stand out in a crowd.

Although head designer, he doesn’t do it alone. Some of his standout pieces actually started as sketches by his five-year-old daughter, Ava, his other greatest passion in this life.

“She’s a big, big inspiration and influence in my life.”

Four Days, One Dream

Her presence is what kept the designer sound during his time on Project Runway. Even though it was a series he’d always admired and dreamed of joining, the timing was intense; just four days after returning from his annual trip to China, he was cut off from the outside world, thrown headfirst into the race for one of fashion’s most coveted titles.

“What was really scary about that moment was that I designed men’s and the show is all about women. I know how to do it, but I had to, like, figure out how to refresh my memory, create my patterns…I prepared all day, all night while I was working, then I started the show. It was such a blessing, and I’m so grateful that I did the show.”

While not necessarily a reboot, season 21 feels like a homecoming with the return of Heidi Klum and Nina Garcia, this time sharing the panel with icon Law Roach and bringing PR alum Christian Siriano on board to mentor the contestants, who, like many others, Rosa mentioned, is one of his favorite designers from the series.

“He’s a good designer, very spicy, good mentor. He’s overall a good person,” he stated.

The Next Chapter for Angelo Rosa Starts Now

Regardless of the spotlight or stakes, what Rosa looks forward to most is being a catalyst for the next generation.

He told us, “I want kids to see me as an inspiration because I didn’t really have that inspiration when I was younger, nor did I have somebody to kinda teach me the ropes. I had to figure it out by myself.”

In the season 21 trailer, which garnered over 40 million views in nine days, viewers get a soundbite of Rosa proclaiming, “My journey is just getting started,” so, naturally, I asked him, “What is next?”

“I really don’t know what’s coming. I just know it’s great things.”

Season 21 of Project Runway premieres July 31 on Freeform and Disney+, and the next day on Hulu.

Photos courtesy of: Anthony Steverson | Creative Director: Martha Luna