We had the good fortune of connecting with Héctor Omar Maldonado and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Héctor Omar, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Being born and raised in a conservative island (Puerto Rico), I always knew I didn’t fit in. My fashion since day one has been about, genderless, fearless and self expression. Fashion locally is aimed for events such as proms, weddings and such. My proposals are more about the fabulousness of dressing up while running errands.

My fashion has always been for queer people. It has not always been received with approval for casting trans, gender expansive people but I felt a responsibility within to break those norms and to create space and a mirror for others to see themselves. Times have changed drastically since I started 12 years ago, and I’m glad I somehow contributed.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My fashion is very personal to me. Through it I tell stories, I try to connect, to invite, to dream. It’s been a struggle to start in a small island that has little resources when it comes to materials, but technology has helped me to find what works best now.

My clothes are love letters to queer kids, to my inner child and a lighthouse for those seeking to feel celebrated,

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Puerto Rico has plenty to see. I would say an early coffee and breakfast from a bakery in Old San Juan. Walk through the city and head to the beach. I love museums, so the Museo de Arte de PR has one of my favorite installations from Puerto Rican artist Pepón Osorio, “En la barbería no se llora” (No crying at the barber shop). That piece speaks to me in such a personal level, being gay and just anxious at the barber shop, not seeing myself or connecting with the topics discussed there among men, feeling like an outsider. This installation also played a part in my latest collection, Romeo.

After the museum, I would have dinner at any Chinese restaurant, but my favorite is China Sun. Then head to Calle Loíza to shop at vintage stores, look at furniture. Then lastly catch some Old Fashioned at Bar Bero. If there’s time, after hours at El Local.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The book “Beyond the Gender Binary” by Alok Vaid-Menon helped me a lot personally and thanks to it, a lot within myself (gender, expression, identity) found peace and meaning. Throught that understanding I’m more able to create a bit freely and creatively.

Instagram: hector____omar

Image Credits
Photos: Supakid, JTiago Visuals

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