By
Annabella Mireles
Photography by
Bryan Martinez and Walter Puentes
Fashion shows are a culmination of an artist’s imagination, fantasies, and ideologies. Although a show may only be 20 or so minutes, the months – and, possibly, years – of hard work by the designer are on display for those in attendance to feel inspired and awakened. Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue said “A great fashion show is like a great movie. It engages the emotions and leaves you thinking long after it ends.”
Jose Gaucin, a familiar name for El Paso and The City Magazine, knows this well and is preparing for his upcoming Fall/Winter 2025 collection.
The young designer continues his passion for fashion through edgy exhibitions showcasing his collections while preparing to set off into his academic journey at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
New York. London. Milan. Paris. All destinations with the commonality of being labeled a Fashion Capital of the world. However, this inspired artist has set his eyes on Mexico City, an emerging fashion capital, where he interned with fellow fashion designer María Ponce, further prepping him for his upcoming February show taking place Feb. 22 at Epic Railyard Event Center.
“I met her through Fashion Week of 2020,” Gaucin said. “She told me she was going to have a fashion show for her Pride collection, and asked if I could go help her, which I obviously said yes to. When I got the opportunity to go over there, I was able to help her out and even gave a lesson in her fashion class at the Centro de Diseño.”
After interning in Mexico for a month, Gaucin returned to El Paso and reflected on his experience, knowing he wanted to implement the culture in his own designs.
With his upcoming show, Gaucin is presenting not only his designs, but also a story symbolic of his own life experiences as a passionate baseball player who felt like the odd one out because of his other passions.
“Within my story, there is a little boy feeling pressured to join the Marines but still wants to find himself by dressing differently, but he still loves what he does – so he keeps wearing his sailor hat,” he said. “I used to play baseball, but I was surrounded by a lot of people who were rude [to me]. I still have a passion for it and it’s important to pursue something you love no matter what.”
Fashion show attendees can look forward to sailor hats, corsets, and bold designs that embrace gender fluidity – for what is fashion without making a statement?
“I’m very into 1800s corsets that are very long, and I wanted to create that with having a guy wear it,” he said. “I think it’s important to be yourself and wear what you want to wear. What I love about my brand is that there is something for everyone.”
Along his journey, Gaucin’s parents have been by his side, watching him grow not only as their son, but as an up-and-coming designer.
“José has taught me a great deal about creativity and self-expression,” Gaucin’s father, Jose Gaucin says. “He’s shown me that fashion is not just about creating clothes, but about telling stories and expressing emotions. I see a lot of José’s personality reflected in his designs. His passion, creativity, and attention to detail are evident in every piece he creates. His designs are an extension of his personality and his vision of the world.”
“It’s incredible just watching him,” Gaucin’s mother, Brenda Gaucin, explains how impressed they are by the organization and production of his shows. “We’re there in case he needs something, but he’s got it covered. We’ve seen him go through the transition from baseball player to designer and we’ve got to see him go through these changes.”
With Gaucin’s eye for design, he is ready for the new year and has shared some hot takes and trends for those who want to upgrade their style for the new year, making you feel like you’re walking right off a page of an editorial magazine:
● Micro shorts and long boots are in! “A micro short with a leg warmer under it with either a long heel boot or a baggy shirt is my go-to outfit to wear out. I love styling it with some glasses and a hat to keep it chic.”
● Leather skinny jeans are making a comeback. “I’m still trying to figure out how to style them, but I think it’s good to try new things and experiment with pieces you may not be familiar with. It’s definitely something I want to try wearing this year.”
● Pointy heels and boots. “Bringing pointed shoes and combining them with ready to wear and outerwear creates a very maximalist look.”
● Layers are key. “Mixing and layering clothes like wearing a sweater over a sweater or jeans over jeans backwards. Don’t be afraid to combine different styles because that’s how you create art.”
● Breaking stereotypes in fashion. “We shouldn’t avoid pieces because we feel it’s too feminine. Everyone is free in their own way, but the fear of being different may be stopping them.”
Maximalism is key to Gaucin, and it’s apparent that he’s not just maximizing his styles, but his overall outlook on fashion, combining his culture and life experiences and bringing them to life on the runway.
“Fashion relates to your personality and your personality relates to fashion,” he said along with his biggest piece of advice for fellow fashion enthusiasts and beginners: “Don’t care about what other people have to say – and know that it’s okay to break the rules.”
