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Fashion – Style – Trends
Happy Latinx Heritage Month: Meet a Few Latinx Buffalos!
In honor of Latinx Heritage Month, we’re spotlighting a few Latinx Buffalos who make Buffalo Exchange what it is today. Keep reading to learn more about these individuals in their own words, discover how their heritage influences their daily lives and see how they use fashion to express themselves while proudly showcasing their roots!
Meet Yesenia, Associate Manager at BE Dallas
Growing up half Mexican and half Salvadorian, I used to feel like I didn’t fully fit in with the Mexican-Americans I met. My mom used to make clothes in Mexico for herself and her sisters, and my dad was into the 90’s baggy streetwear, so they have always encouraged my creativity with my outfits. While growing up, I fought the traditional ideals my parents had set up for me. I had my emo, grunge, and metal phases and I debated with them about how machismo and sexism affects generations. This led me to dress up as an alt-tomboy in middle school and through high school — even though they didn’t get it, they never tried to argue with me about it.
Now I see myself, like in the movie Everything Everywhere All At Once, as an amalgamation of my heritage, influences, and experiences. Sometimes I take influence from ‘chola’ culture, 90’s telenovelas like Rebelde, Latin pop stars like Shakira, Ivy Queen or Belanova. I’ve always tried to capture the model off-duty style even without being that body type at all; during the summer, I usually go for that NYC trendy style.
When I applied to Buffalo Exchange, I had no idea how much I’d enjoy this job! Buffalo Exchange provides an environment with an endless supply of knowledge and experiences that always keeps me intrigued. I love learning about trends, textiles, silhouettes, designers, the history of fashion and how to talk to different types of people.
Meet Joy, Cashier at BE New Orleans
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and honestly, being Puerto Rican is a huge part of who I am. We’re incredibly proud of where we come from and that pride shows up in everything I do. I’m always wearing or carrying something with my flag on it—it’s like a piece of home I take with me everywhere.
One of my absolute favorite parts of working at Buffalo Exchange is meeting so many incredible Hispanic and Latinx people from all over. I’ve met folks from Chile, Spain, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, and, of course, fellow Puerto Ricans! It’s always a thrill when I hear someone speaking Spanish in the store—I love picking up on the accents and slang and trying to guess where they’re from.
My style is always evolving. One day I’ll be rocking all-black like I’m attending a funeral (I really love black), and the next day, you’ll catch me in head-to-toe Care Bears merch with cute, playful makeup. Some days I’m all about repping Puerto Rico with my hat and baseball team jersey—it’s a mix of everything I love. There was a time I felt like I had to pick one style and stick to it, but now I embrace them all. I like to experiment and keep things fresh!
Meet Amanda, Buyer at BE Pasadena
I’m half Mexican and El Salvadorian! In my day-to-day life, I practice speaking Spanish, as well as represent my culture within my closet. My favorite part about working for Buffalo is getting to see how people use personal style to express themselves and being able to contribute to someone finding a piece of clothing they resonate with. My top style icons are, in no particular order: Maria Zardoya, Rosalia, Frida Kahlo, Olivia Rodrigo, and Luka Sabbat.
Meet Maria, Associate Manager at BE Houston
I’m Mexican-American, from a small town next to the border. The Latin community is all I knew and grew up with. I lived in my hometown until I was 19, so after moving away, I realized I only knew how to cook Mexican food! Lucky for me, I’ll never get sick of it (we’ve learned a couple dishes since then). I also love some pan dulce. My mom worked in a Mexican pastry bakery and started her own small business making and selling Mexican-inspired snacks.
I’ve been with Buffalo Exchange for 3 years now—1 year as a Buyer and 2 years as an Assistant Store Manager. I love my job because I love my staff. Clothing has been a love of my life since I was in 5th grade, and I love seeing all the great pieces that come over the counter. My coworkers make my day with their creativity, humor, and awesome fashion sense. I’m very much influenced by 80’s and 90’s romantic goth, a little bit of structured punk, and I love soft-coquette.
Meet Hugo, Associate Manager at BE Williamsburg
I was born in Ecuador and raised in New York where my style was influenced in a multitude of ways. The biggest influence in my style are the locals that I see walking around in the streets and the diverse cultures all over New York City.
My career at Buffalo Exchange spans about 2 and a half years! As a fashion design student, I was in need of a part-time job so I applied as a cashier but was offered a buyer position. I went from Buyer Specialist to Buyer Expert at the Brooklyn-Williamsburg location and worked my way all the way up to Supervisor and now Associate Store Manager. My favorite part of this job is being able to develop employees, and I take massive pride in the buyers that I’ve had a hand in developing to experts.
My style is a little hard to describe since I wear an outfit according to the way that I feel that day. I am a big fan of quiet luxury and timeless pieces that I can wear multiple times. My favorite thing in the world is when someone asks me where I got something from and I unintentionally school someone on my outfit. People at work describe my style as “expensive,” since I love to wear designer clothes and representing designers.
Meet Daniella, Buyer at BE Dallas
I was born in a small town in North Texas, but my dad is from Houston and my mom is from Durango, México. Growing up, my mom primarily spoke Spanish, so it was my first language. It’s still the language I mostly use day-to-day because I’m always hanging out with my mom —she’s my bff.
My favorite part of working at Buffalo has to be the people. I love connecting and talking to people at the buy counter and on the sales floor. Meeting new people makes the job exciting and different every day. In between the people and the different pieces that come in daily, there’s never a dull day at work.
I’d describe my style as earthy! My color palette consists of browns, greens, and dark reds. I only wear things I’ve found in secondhand, thrift, and consignment shops. I made a promise to myself to only shop secondhand for clothing and accessories. I want to avoid contributing to the environmental damage fast fashion causes.
Meet Martin, Marketing Assistant at Buffalo Exchange HQ
Born in Tucson, Arizona, and raised by two Mexican parents who worked multiple jobs to get to where we are today as a family of five. My parents, as many Mexicans are, are all about the hustle, and I am very blessed to say that my parents allowed me to follow my passions. This has led me to study film and get a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film & Television, where I discovered my passion for online content and video production.
Now, I can happily say that I’m a full-time Marketing Assistant for Buffalo Exchange and a part-time video editor! I enjoy being able to chip in on many aspects of marketing (which is more than scrolling social media), such as writing blogs, organizing events with BE stores and non-profits, writing reports and much, much more!
Admittedly, I am a big victim to social media influence since doom-scrolling has become my norm. I love seeing what people are deeming cool or in-style and trying those trends out. I love many styles and wish I could stick to one, but sometimes I want to wear a full baggy 90s look with beat-up sneakers and a baseball hat, and then the next day I want to wear a cropped tee with flowy trousers, chunky loafers!
Meet Alex, Buyer at BE Sherman Oaks
Growing up Mexican-American, much of the heritage and culture is of Latin origin, and its influences are seamlessly tied back to my parents, grandparents, and greater bloodline that remind me of the work it took for them to succeed back home in the state of Jerez Zacatecas, Mexico all the way to sunny LA. I’ve seen many people of Latin descent stay committed to success, whether through education, federal services, or street vending. My heritage will always be here, and that drive pushes me to want to succeed in life, no matter the setbacks or colonial institutions that may try to erase or displace vulnerable communities.
My favorite part of working at Buffalo Exchange is definitely guest interactions while at the buy counter. I never know what to expect or what stories I’ll hear while talking with each guest, which makes the process of buying unique.
I’d say my main style is very sporty. I’m into all the jerseys, all the athletic shorts. It’s easy to customize my fit to make it look more relaxed, dressy, or like I’m actually working out, but at the current moment, it’s helping me beat the heat.
Want to make Buffalo Exchange part of your life story? If you have a passion for fashion and an interest in sustainability, you could be a perfect fit to join our team — learn more about what it’s like to work at Buffalo, read all about our perks and view open positions at a store near you!
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