EmergeRD A New Platform for the Next Generation of Dominican Fashion Designers
Con Estilo TV attended EmergeRD 2026, an event that brought together emerging designers and established figures from the fashion industry. During our coverage, we spoke with Sócrates McKinney, founder and director of this platform dedicated to nurturing a new generation of Dominican talent.
Dominican fashion is experiencing an exciting moment. A growing number of designers are drawing inspiration from their roots, traditions, and personal experiences to create collections with a distinctive identity. This spirit was at the heart of EmergeRD 2026, an event that brought fresh perspectives, established names, and international guests together through a shared passion for design.
During the event, we had the opportunity to speak with Sócrates McKinney, one of the most influential figures in Dominican fashion and the driving force behind this initiative. Our conversation explored the evolution of EmergeRD and the importance of preparing young creatives for an industry where great ideas must be supported by education, discipline, and a clear business vision.
VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVCozWhOTEI
This year's edition brought together six finalists who spent three months working alongside renowned designers, including Giannina Azar, Leonel Lirio, Magaly Tiburcio, José Jhan, Maylé Vásquez, and Carlos de Moya. The program offered valuable guidance in everything from garment construction and patternmaking to brand development and business strategy.
The results came to life on the runway, where each participant presented a personal vision, exploring different approaches to silhouettes, materials, and the relationship between fashion and Dominican culture.
One of the most anticipated moments was the presentation by Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada. The Spanish designer, who served as the event's international ambassador, brought her unmistakable creative universe to the runway, where vibrant colors, graphic shapes, and an optimistic spirit took center stage. Her participation also featured a special collaboration with Yako New York, a fashion label founded by Dominicans Yohanna Gursey, a fashion designer, and Jack Ramos, an architect.
For the occasion, 16 exclusive linen looks were created, blending Yako New York's resort-inspired, Mediterranean aesthetic with Ágatha's signature style. Breezy silhouettes and fluid fabrics became the canvas for her bold colors and playful graphic motifs, resulting in a collection where both creative identities came together naturally.
Behind these pieces was also a story of local craftsmanship. The garments were produced in Santo Domingo at Yohanna Gursey's atelier, alongside Rosanna Zarzuela and Meraly Rodríguez. It was a detail worth highlighting, as the collaboration showcased not only the creative exchange between the two brands but also the skill and quality of Dominican craftsmanship. In many ways, the runway became a meeting point between Spain and the Dominican Republic, with fashion serving as a shared language.
Another standout of the event was Heidy Feliz, who received the Collection of the Year award for Latido Rural. Her designs drew inspiration from familiar scenes of the Dominican countryside: backyard flowers, traditional Creole houses, and the small details of everyday rural life that often go unnoticed.
From these references, the designer created a collection defined by organic textures, neutral tones, and contemporary silhouettes. What made her work particularly compelling was the way she translated memories and traditional elements into modern garments while preserving the essence of their origins.
The runway also featured collections by Georgie de Mata, Erick Lemos, Karla Ramírez, Leibrigui Urimare, and Yenny Vásquez, each offering a different interpretation of design, materials, and form.
Among the opportunities offered through EmergeRD was a summer scholarship at the prestigious Istituto Marangoni in Milan, an educational experience that reflects the potential impact of the program on the participants' professional journeys.
The event's program also included the Fashion Talks, held at the Crowne Plaza Santo Domingo. These discussions explored issues that are part of the everyday reality of working in fashion, including how to finance a brand, incorporate sustainable practices, make the most of digital tools, and preserve traditional craftsmanship.
The conversations offered a different perspective on the industry, reminding attendees that behind every collection lies a process shaped by creative, technical, and business decisions.
EmergeRD has succeeded in bringing together two essential elements for the growth of Dominican fashion: the experience of established industry professionals and the enthusiasm of those beginning to make their mark. Under the direction of Sócrates McKinney, this exchange has become an essential part of the initiative.
As this edition came to a close, beyond the awards and the names featured on the runway, one impression stood out: Dominican fashion has its own stories to tell, and a new generation of designers is finding fresh ways to bring them to life.
