Parsons Paris

Rocio Sanchez: Speaking for Change

Rocio is a multi-hyphenate. Fashion Studies class of 2020, They started their career in fashion, and then founded their own agency Marketing by Rocio, in 2020. In 2021, Rocio was one of the co-authors of the book Thriving in Business: Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur, and in 2022, they launched the podcast Transition of Style.

BY GIULIA TACCHI

In 2020, you started your own agency, Marketing by Rocio, that is dedicated to helping LGBT+ and POC-led business in their sectors. How important do you think it is to speak up for your community, whether it is Queer people, or Latinos…?

It’s incredibly important. Some people are dedicated to speaking up, educating, and debating—and they’re amazing at it. That was once me, but I’ve burned out. Instead, I’ve decided that my path is to empower the people who are on the belittling end of these arguments. I want to help them realize their potential in business and achieve a life of dignity, skipping over
the questions about whether we deserve to exist. I don’t claim to have the same lived experience as every other queer person or person of color, but working with me means they don’t need to explain their story in detail, and that they’ll be understood regardless. This is my way of speaking up for my community, by providing my value, experience, and education to the people who have historically been shunned from the business world.

You started your career working in fashion in New York City, and now you are going back to your roots with your podcast Transition of Style. Why do you think it is important to talk about fashion?

When you grow up in a big, lively, and queer city like New York, it’s hard not to be in awe everywhere you look: to be inspired by what others wear, how they express themselves, and how far-reaching the fashion industry is. For me, it’s important to talk about fashion because not only is it a part of everyone’s everyday life, but—on a much grander scale—this industry is one of the most polluting and damaging to our world. How do we balance that while acknowledging how important fashion is to our lives, as individuals, communities, and societies? It’s an existential question that I’ll spend the rest of my life contemplating.

What role do you think fashion plays in the way we are perceived today but also in the way we want to be perceived?

Fashion plays a significant role in people’s journeys—whether it’s big or small. Whether we like it or not, we are judged the moment someone looks at us for the first time. These judgments are split-second processes in our brains influenced by our own cultures growing up, as well as centuries of cultures that have arbitrarily assigned good or bad values based on physical characteristics. The perception of our gender or our humanity based on what we wear and our physical characteristics is a phenomenon much bigger than us.

However, as humans, it’s natural to want to play around with this, whether by resisting societal expectations in large numbers or simply at the family dinner
table. Some people don’t care how they’re perceived, while others do, to the point of experiencing dysphoria and a reduced quality of life. This is why people fight to be understood, and why fashion can play a role in shaping that perception.

Why did you choose a podcast for this project?

The Transition of Style podcast was both a business
decision and a personal decision. On one hand, producing a podcast was a way for me to explore a new medium while not derailing the message of my main business, Marketing by Rocio. In business, you want to attract people through various means. Podcasts
allow people to connect with your voice, establish your authority in a field, and enable potential clients to find you and reach out for work. 

On a personal note, it was a way for me to continue honoring the two years I spent in grad school researching and writing about queer fashion. I wrote a master’s thesis about the representation of queer fashion in museums and archives, and this podcast was a way for me to continue that research and build on that expertise.

What is one advice you would give to non binary students who are entering the fashion industry right now?

When I was a teenager, I was part of that generation
that used social media before anyone understood how harmful it could be for the teenage brain,
especially for young girls and people raised as girls. I followed every fashion magazine and model out there, not realizing how much it would affect my self-esteem until I spiraled out of control. Over the years, I’ve learned to fill my digital space with positive influences and role models. This meant
unfollowing online profiles that made me feel bad as soon as I opened the app, and instead following people who looked like me. This doesn’t mean closing yourself off from the outside world, but remember: this is your digital space, and you are allowed to curate it as you like!

The same principle applies to your career, although it’s harder to curate your life than simply blocking,
muting, or unfollowing someone online. Building your network takes time, and you might work with people who are hostile toward you. It’s important to surround yourself with those who respect you. Over time, you’ll develop a supportive network that aligns with your
values and ambitions. And wherever you can’t find that support, like in your office job, you can probably find in an online community.

Do you think it is important to always speak up or sometimes letting things go is necessary? And, when you do speak up, what is the best way to do it?

If we have the privilege to speak up, we absolutely should. While I’d love to say that speaking up is always necessary, when doing so might cost you your job and livelihood, it becomes a case-by-case decision. If you’re fed up with a job and it’s so toxic that you’re ready to burn bridges and leave, who am I to say that’s the wrong way to go about it? However, if you want to keep the job, maybe even get a promotion, while also addressing toxicity and discrimination, you may want to proceed with more tact. In this case, consulting with trusted
colleagues, peers, or even counselors can help you handle the situation for the best possible outcome.

In parallel to your agency, and your podcast, you also co-wrote a book. What role does each of the things you do or did have in the pursuing of your purpose?

Each of these endeavors—whether it is my agency,
podcast, or book—contributes to my purpose by aligning with my passion for supporting the LGBTQ+ community. My agency allows me to directly assist LGBTQ+ and POC-led businesses, while the Transition of Style
podcast provides a platform to amplify important conversations. The book was another opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and share valuable insights, all of which align with my overarching goal of empowering marginalized communities through meaningful work.

What would you say is one thing you are doing or supporting now, that you felt the need to have as you were growing up, but that wasn’t there?

I’ve been exploring the “slow living” movement lately. Growing up in NYC is fast-paced, living in Paris is fast-paced, and being in marketing is fast-paced. I often find myself in environments where everything moves quickly. It’s only when I meditate or allow myself to be present with friends or at work that I feel truly connected. This is a skill I wish I’d developed sooner.

Do you remember a moment when something happened and you were like “wow, I’m actually making a difference, I’m changing someone’s life.”

I was commissioned by TransTech Social Enterprises, a global educational organization that trains trans people for the tech industry, as a personal branding consultant. I’ve helped several dozen transgender individuals build their LinkedIn profiles while considering their unique challenges. Trans people often feel vulnerable about job security because they may face discrimination or struggle with acceptance in the workplace. I still work closely with TransTech, and this kind of collaboration makes me feel that I’m helping people live the dignified life they
deserve. Through my work, I’ve been able to give them the confidence to present themselves effectively, and I hope it has helped them achieve job security. ■

This story is from the second issue of Later, the alumni magazine.

Editor: Giulia Tacchi @giulytacchi
Photographer: Iman Salem @imannsalem
Talent: Rocio Sanchez @marketingbyrocio

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