About the Artist: Rene Ruiz

Fashion designer René Ruiz was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United States at an early age. He settled in Miami, a place that was very influential in his formative years. In 1990, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design from the International Fine Arts College in Miami. Soon thereafter, he honed his skills during apprenticeships throughout Europe, where he learned the art of couture first hand.

With a single sewing machine and $250 in hand, he headed back to Miami to embark on a new fashion venture. After opening his first atelier in the fashionable South Florida enclave of Coral Gables in the 90s, Ruiz quickly became the go-to designer for celebrities and socialites. His eye for high-quality fabrics and personalized attention to the creation and tailoring of each garment has created an international following for his luxurious, original and sophisticated designs.

In blending his own inspirations with Miami's rich cultural heritage in his artistry, Ruiz is also known for creating his own fabrics to accentuate the meticulous detailing which inspires sensuality for the modern woman. 2018 proved to be an exciting year for Ruiz. He won an Emmy as part of his work as a host on MDC-TV's cinematic documentary series Fashion Forward.

He also launched his new fashion brand, Rene by RR, previewing at Miami Fashion Week, the second most important Fashion Week in North America being the only Miami designer that has represented Miami for five consecutive years, He is also an Emmy recipient for the work with the team of MDCTV for Fashion Forward tv shape about sustainable fashion. Rene's design fill a void void in the luxury market with a collection that reflects not only his talent and standards for quality but also a city and culture that are gaining momentum as the next international fashion capital. Ruiz's appreciation for luxury and beautifully made clothes and accessories, and a discriminating eye for detail, are the corner stone of the Rene by RR philosophy: European craftsmanship forged with the American spirit.

Giving back to the community is also important to René, which is why he is involved with many charities like Make-A-Wish Foundation, for which he raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. He has also supported Special Olympics, MS Association of America, Cuban American Bar Association, and Humane Society of Greater Miami as well as his involvement with the Goodwill of South Florida first ever gala where they raised over a million dollars for the mentally disabled.He also sits on the Advisory Board of the Miami Fashion Institute helping to mentor and inspire a new generation of students.