When beginning their lives in New York City, Washington University alumni and friends, Alessandra Perez-Rubio and Louisa Rechter, craved to build their wardrobe with timeless, versatile and eye-catching items to make them feel polished and ready for all the occasions in their busy lives. Inspired by their shared ties to the Philippines and their vintage clothing archive left to them by their grandmothers, the duo launched Mestiza New York in 2015 to fill the void for standout style, designed to remember. Mestiza’s collection of apparel and accessories aim to serve a purpose whether it’s machine washability, clever convertible features or to simply pull out of your closet to remind you of all the fun you had wearing it!

I co-founded Mestiza New York with the belief that fashion should help women celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. Over the past decade, I’ve grown the company from an idea into a nationally recognized luxury brand by leading nearly every aspect of the business—from securing partnerships with major department stores and building a global supply chain to scaling our direct-to-consumer business, strengthening profitability and navigating periods of significant economic disruption. Beyond the business, I’m passionate about building community through Mestiza’s Tastemaker Series, bringing together female founders, creatives, and industry leaders for meaningful conversations and connection. Today, Mestiza is featured in leading publications, worn by celebrities and tastemakers, and trusted by thousands of women for the moments they'll remember forever. The Tory Burch Foundation was a crucial turning point for me and my business and I am excited to continue learning and growing from its community.