Meet: Julio Rivera

Reported and Written by: Shirley Reyes

Julio Rivera is a trendy 21-year-old Puerto Rican entrepreneur and one of Staten Island’s newest residents. He currently attends Gibbs, and is a web designer turned clothing designer.  Having launched a clothing line called Rebirth, a line of originally designed graphic Tees this summer, Julio gives us insight into the retail-clothing world and the process of his success so far.   Julio an original New Jersey native recently moved to Staten Island less than six months ago in order to have easier access to the city. He has done a lot independent film and web maintenance freelance work for companies such as Converse, MTV, and other private organizations.

StatenIslandlatino.com:
How did the idea to start a clothing line come to be?

Julio Rivera:
I wasn’t working at the time and was bored so I  began working on an online magazine with mainly art images.  I wanted to make it bigger, and create something that people could really see.

StatenIslandlatino.com:
What is Rebirth?

Julio Rivera:
Rebirth is a clothing line of unique graphic tees which are available online.  It took me only three days to design the website for it.  We do plan on expanding the line, and are currently working on investors for expansion.

StatenIslandlatino.com:
Who is the Rebirth Team?

Julio Rivera:    Well the marketing team is made up of Jordan who is the account manage of the website, Alfonso who handles marketing, and Fred who handles marketing and press.  Then there is me and I, am the creative and design aspect of the company.

StatenIslandlatino.com:
How did you start the line?

Julio Rivera:
My partners and I began contracting designers to market their designs on our sites in exchange for a cut in on the sales.  Shortly after we started doing that I began designing the tee shirts, and we began marketing and searching for investors.

StatenIslandlatino.com:
What is different about your clothing line?
Julio Rivera:    Rebirth is essentially an urban skate line but with a twist. Unlike most urban skate lines, Rebirth is full of color and is more vibrant in comparison to most skate gear that is already out.  Rebirth is meant to appeal to all.  Our mission is to design and produce what people want.

StatenIslandlatino.com:
What is the hottest item that Rebirth has out right now?

Julio Rivera:
I would have to say the Heart and Lock logo T.  That is probably our most popular item right now.  But we have more designs to come.

StatenIslandlatino.com:
How hard is it to design?

Julio Rivera:
IT isn’t real hard for me to design, I pretty much just design anything that I feel I can turn into art.  It doesn’t take me more than twenty minutes to design anything on the computer.

StatenIslandlatino.com:
Do you have any plans for expansion?

Julio Rivera:
Yes.  In the future we plan on opening a show room in the city.  We also plan on opening small boutiques in New York and California.

StatenIslandlatino.com:
How has the line been received thus far?  Is the feedback positive?

Julio Rivera:
So far it has been well received.  Thanks to marketing and myspace we are growing quickly, which will definitely help us in expanding.

StatenIslandlatino.com:
What are your expectations of all of this?

Julio Rivera:
To know that I created something.  Seeing my vision come to be from beginning to end.  Watching my creation from nothing to everyone wearing it.

StatenIslandlatino.com:
What (if anything) else are you working on?

Julio Rivera:    Well right now we are working on more designs, marketing, investments, and we are in search of a female designer.  Mainly because we cant design female clothing, but we want to have female merchandise available.

For more information on Julio Rivera and Rebirth Clothing Line check out:
www.mydesign7.com  www.rebirth.com  www.underworldmagazine.com