PROFILE
By Glenda Graves | Portrait photo by Keith Branch
Raul “Rulli” Torres
Stitching Struggle into Style
For Raul “Rulli” Torres, fashion has never just been about fabric and sewing; it’s about culture and building something beautiful out of struggle. The acclaimed designer will launch the inaugural Bentonville Fashion Week on June 6-8 at Thaden School. However, behind the polished runway and elegant designs is a story stitched with hardship and heart.
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Born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and raised in California, Rulli’s love for fashion began with unexpected inspiration. “I had this elementary school teacher who took us to musicals and museums,” he recalled. “It opened a whole world of color and creativity for me. I was captivated by the costumes.”
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But it wasn’t just the arts that sparked his interest. His mother, a seamstress, unknowingly laid the foundation for his future. “She actually didn’t want me touching the sewing machine,” he said, laughing, “but I was obsessed with it. I just wanted to make things.”
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That determination showed up early. After a pillow fight with cousins caused the seams to burst open, young Rulli grabbed a needle and thread and hand-sewed the pillows closed himself. “That’s when my mom realized I had something special,” he said.
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When his family moved to Rogers during his high school years, the adjustment was brutal. “I didn’t know anyone,” he said. “There weren’t many Spanish speakers. I felt invisible.”
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He admits his grades dropped, and he lost interest in school, thinking no one really cared. But then his cross-country coach stepped in. “He told me, ‘If you don’t change, no university will want you.’ That was a turning point. I realized I had to start showing up — for myself,” Rulli said.
Rulli did more than show up; he began to excel. Despite the barriers he faced as an undocumented immigrant, his athletic talent caught the attention of more than a dozen universities. Sadly, when he revealed his citizenship status, the opportunities disappeared. “That was heartbreaking,” he said.
Rulli Torres and model Anna Sanders
(Photo by Miguel Prophoto)
Although a scholarship offer from Missouri Southern State University came through, his mother didn’t allow him to go, fearing the risks. “It broke me,” Rulli said. “I fell into a deep depression.”
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But when one dream closes, another opens. Rulli pivoted toward graphic design, enrolling at NorthWest Arkansas Community College, where he earned four degrees. “The small classes, the affordability — I found myself there,” he said. “I became more social, more confident. I started believing in my potential.”
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Eventually, he discovered the Apparel Merchandising and Product Development program at the University of Arkansas. “The moment I saw it, I knew that was it,” Rulli said.
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After earning his bachelor’s degree, he moved to New York and then Dallas, where he cut his teeth in the competitive world of couture. Interning with Rosie Del Bosque Couture, he learned the art of high fashion — and the grit it takes to survive it.
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He opened his own studio, Rulli Torres Fashion Design Studio, creating everything from gowns to costumes to bridal wear. He faced setbacks, including having to close and reopen his studio multiple times, but he never gave up. “Perseverance,” he said, smiling. “That’s been my best design.”
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In 2024, after more than 30 years of living undocumented, Rulli finally received his work permit. “That moment changed everything,” he said. “It was like someone opened a door I’d been knocking on my whole life.”
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Returning to Northwest Arkansas to pursue his master’s degree in fashion, Rulli knew it was time to give back. His runway presentation at INTERFORM’s Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week last November, dedicated to his late mother and honoring Día de Muertos, earned him the Designer Community Appreciation Award. “That was for her,” he said, softly. “She always told me, ‘Move, son!’ I’ve carried that with me every step of the way.”
He said things had really changed in Northwest Arkansas while he was away, and the design community had grown so much. With Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week dissolving, he knew there would be a huge demand for another outlet like it. “I saw the opportunity, and I went for it,” Rulli said. “I am incredibly passionate about it and can’t wait to give the local designers a platform to showcase their designs.”
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Now, with Bentonville Fashion Week on the horizon, Rulli wants to create something more than just a showcase. “I want this to be a platform where designers, artists, and dreamers feel seen and supported,” he said.
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The event will feature Latino Night, student showcases, avant-garde designs and unexpected performances — all set against the backdrop of the Thaden School’s striking modern architecture.
Rulli Torres with his models for a private spring/summer 2024 trunk show (Photo by Miguel Prophoto)
But for Rulli, it’s also about healing. Proceeds from the weekend will benefit OneCommunity in Springdale, a nonprofit organization formed with the purpose of bringing communities together as one. The nonprofit engages, empowers and strengthens families through bilingual literacy and leadership programs.
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The weekend will include not just runway shows but also panel discussions on mental health, free community classes on pattern drafting and garment construction, and internship opportunities for high school students. BFW aims to resonate with a broad audience, fostering confidence and self-assurance among participants and attendees alike. “We’re not just building fashion here,” Rulli said. “We’re building futures.”
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BFW is also calling on volunteers and sponsors to join the effort — from backstage help and dressers to social media support and vendor coordination. “It’s about community,” Rulli said. “It’s about all of us coming together to create something bigger than ourselves.”
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No prior experience is required to be a part of BFW. Interested individuals may apply online at www.bentonvillefashionweek.com/volunteer or contact Carrie Burke, BFW staging manager, at cburke@lindsey.com.
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Details on featured designers, ticket sales and the event schedule will be announced soon. To stay up to date and support the movement, follow @bentonvillefashionweek on Instagram and TikTok or visit www.bentonvillefashionweek.com.
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As BFW positions itself as a dynamic, inclusive fashion platform, Rulli envisions it becoming a permanent part of the region’s cultural landscape. “People think you have to be in New York or Los Angeles to make an impact,” he said. “I’m here to prove that you can do it right here in Arkansas.”
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When asked what keeps him going through everything he’s faced, his answer is simple: “Hope. And my mom’s voice in my head telling me to keep moving.”