Veronica Torres Makes Fashion Personal, Powerful, and Playful

For Veronica Torres, fashion isn’t just about what you wear, it’s about who you are and where you come from. The New York City–based designer is turning her family roots and favorite memories into runway-ready looks, proving that style can be personal, powerful, and fun all at once.

When we spoke over Zoom the evening after her dress rehearsal, Torres was still running on little sleep. Between finishing touches on her new collection, Alma, and planning her first-ever Corner Store Couture runway show, her studio has been a whirlwind of fabric scraps, sketches, and late nights.

A Designer in the Making

The designer first picked up a needle and thread at just six years old, following in her mother’s footsteps and helping mend the furniture in their Queens home. It wasn’t until 2020, when some turned to banana bread and others to TikTok, that she reignited her passion for fashion, once again at her mother’s side, this time creating face masks for their community.

From masks, she jumped into designing corsets, a bold silhouette that would become synonymous with her brand, Bodega by V.

Abuelitacore and Alma: Fashion Rooted in Family

But the silhouette is only one piece of her inspiration. Drawing from her Chinese, Puerto Rican, and Dominican heritage—where family is at the center—she explains that revisiting photo albums and rewatching classic films like Singin’ in the Rain and her grandfather’s favorite, West Side Story, continues to shape her vision.

“I rewatched that [West Side Story] with my abuelita recently and just noticing what Rita Moreno wears when she’s doing her dance scene,  the colors of her dress, the way that it moves, and the cut of the top. It’s all inspiration.”

Her vision is so deeply personal that we joked about her trademarking “Abuelitacore,” the word she uses to describe her newest collection, Alma.

Alma, Spanish for “soul,” draws on the vibrancy and landscapes of Puerto Rico. From lush island tones to the rhythm of rushing waterfalls, the collection reimagines tradition with a modern twist. Her signature corsets are back, along with playful accessories, like a bamboo-handle purse crafted into a domino box. Torres nods to the game that defines Puerto Rican upbringing, weaving pieces of the culture directly into her design.

“My newest collection is inspired by my family archives, including old videos and photo albums. It features classic silhouettes like trousers, double-breasted lapel shirts, pencil skirts, bridal gowns, vests, and corsets. The collection incorporates motifs like dominoes, reflecting cultural memories from my Puerto Rican household.”

Fashion Should Be Fun

For Torres, it isn’t just about what she makes, it’s about what fashion means. Her philosophy?

“Fashion should be fun.”

In a world ruled by fast fashion and fleeting trends, she believes the ultimate style statement is wearing what makes you feel effortlessly yourself.

“Fashion is an outlet for creation and storytelling. It connects me to my roots and allows me to express my heritage. I believe fashion should be fun, make people feel confident, and have longevity.”

Though she admits to sometimes being overwhelmed, the constant shifts, especially as a one-woman show.

“When I was making this collection, it was actually really important to me to unplug a little bit from social media… it can be really nerve-racking when you see trends go by so fast and you don’t know what place you have within the fashion world. It’s like, ‘did I miss the mark?’”

Act I, II, III: A Runway, a Market, and a Celebration

Now, a year after we first met her—when she made her debut at the Hot Girl Market fashion show—she’s coming full circle, giving 10 other designers the chance to launch their collections at New York Fashion Week with the Corner Store Couture Fashion Show.

Taking place in the heart of Tribeca, the show aims to showcase independent designers, promote sustainable fashion, and foster a community. To do that, she’s not just putting on a 30-minute runway show; she’s producing a full spectacle, literally pulling back the curtain.

Act I is your classic runway show, featuring 11 diverse collections, from Indian party wear to West African garments, gracing the catwalk for a room full of fashion lovers, editors, and creators.

Act II pulls back the velvet ropes with the Fresh Off the Runway Market, giving attendees the chance to shop the looks they just saw, before they hit the racks.

“It’s a very exclusive opportunity for them to meet the designers, talk to them, learn about their process, their practice, and support emerging designers.”

Act III is the ultimate celebration: an unforgettable night of style, music, and community so immersive that by morning, you’ll be thinking, “Debí tirar más fotos.”

“I really want to create these spaces for others…I think that’s what I’ve been searching for. I was like, ‘You know what? I’m not going to wait for the party. I’m not going to wait for the show. I’m going to create the party. I’m going to create the show.’”

Building Spaces Where Creativity and Connection Thrive

Torres’ commitment to community isn’t just about giving back; it’s about creating spaces where culture, creativity, and connection thrive, something she advises other designers to look out for.

“Get out of social media and into real spaces to build community. Be open to learning and don’t be afraid to fail. We don’t have it all figured out, and that’s okay. It takes time and practice to build confidence and perfect your craft. Lean on your community and keep an open heart to opportunities. Persistence and connection are key.”

Fashion Week may be built on spectacle, but Veronica Torres is building something deeper: belonging. She’s proving that fashion isn’t just about what you wear; it’s about who you lift up along the way. In her world, every stitch tells a story, every runway celebrates culture, and every market transforms into a community. If this is the future of fashion, it’s bold, soulful, and undeniably human.