The struggle is still to achieve ethical fashion
Ángela Ropero (Seville, 1994) is artistically known as Julianna Ro in honor of her father Julián. The Sevillian model and singer studied Translation and Interpretation of English and French at the UPO, in addition to eight years of piano at the professional conservatory, two years of lyrical singing and one of vocal technique. After being Miss World Seville, Ángela Ropero appears in the contest known as Miss International Spain whose motto is Cheer all women.
–How did you start in the world of fashion?
–It's funny because it was something I never imagined and that came into my life by chance. It all started when I decided to take some photos to include in my demo as a singer as a presentation, so they could see my image and my potential. At that time, I was 16 years old and I went to two photographer friends of mine to help me with the session. They were the ones who told me that I should consider dedicating myself to fashion professionally because I was very good at it. That day I laughed, but immediately new photo sessions and my first shows came out and it was all thanks to word of mouth and getting to know people. Since then, I have spent years working more as a model than as a singer. From all this, I learned that never say never because life can throw anything at you.
–What does a typical day in the life of Julianna Ro look like?
–Every day is different, I've been looking for a bit of routine for years, but it's impossible (between laughs). I try that sport is not lacking in my day to day, it is my medicine. It helps me a lot mentally to relax, to start the day with positivity and with renewed energy. The rest of the day varies depending on the time of year. I can have a job as a model, I work as a community manager, or I have to study (because I'm still training). The truth is that I can't sit still and I love trying new things and surprising myself.
–We have seen that you also mix music and fashion, what is the reason?
–The main reason is that I absolutely love both disciplines and it was the perfect way to enjoy both. After all, both disciplines are art, so they fit together perfectly and you can achieve incredible results.
–From your point of view, how has covid-19 affected fashion?
–Fashion has been drastically affected by covid-19, as has almost every sector. It has not been and is not easy. My work life came to a standstill. I know many people who work in this sector (make-up artists, hairdressers, photographers, designers, businessmen or other models) and their lives and projects stopped. Everything collapsed. And it is logical, we did not leave the house, so there was no demand. Like many other sectors, firms saw the light of day in e-commerce and more and more firms are turning to this, but even so, the volume of work is not the same and there is still time for us to return to that long-awaited normality. . In addition, there are sectors much more punished than others, such as the flamenco fashion sector. It is a sector that touches me very closely, it is in my blood. It is very hard to see how colleagues who live from this, leave their skin to get ahead. The situation is really complex.
–Which fashion shows, campaigns or events will we be able to see you in?
–As I just told you, my work life came to a standstill. I have worked a lot less this year and a half, but I think that you have to renew or die. That's why I decided to go back to studying. I did an intensive course in fashion design and I discovered illustration, it's a world that I'm still discovering and that I don't want to leave. In addition, I am about to finish an MBA in business management specializing in fashion, since I aspire to continue in this world but on the business side.
–She is currently Miss International Andalucía 2021, have you ever imagined going that far?
–I never would have imagined that I would come to represent the more than 8 million Andalusians. It makes me proud and at the same time gives me a lot of respect. I love my land above all. I have traveled and lived in many countries, but in the end the earth pulls. We all know that you are not at home anywhere, and Andalusia can no longer be explained. Our people, our light, our gastronomy, our history, our culture, our land... and I could go on. Without a doubt, it is a privilege to be able to say that I am Andalusian.
–Why is the Miss International pageant important to you?
–It is a contest that is held in a country that I love, Japan. I was lucky enough to travel there a few years ago and I was fascinated. I always said that I wanted to come back and if I managed to do it going like Spain, the dream would be even bigger. Also, I feel very identified with the motto of this contest (Cheer All Women). We live in a time of change and struggle. As a woman and a model, I want to do my bit and, in fact, I already have a series of projects in mind that I would love to carry out together with Miss International.
–Tell us, what is the process you must go through throughout the contest? How do you face the final?
–I am definitely going to enjoy, live and squeeze the experience. After a year and a half in which bad news has predominated, I finally have the opportunity to bring joy to my life, to my family and why not to Andalusians. I will face the final calmly, I will simply be myself. I will let you know me, with my virtues and my defects. I want everything to flow and what has to be, will be. That does not mean that I have been working for months (he laughs), I am a very perfectionist and I want to leave Andalusia high.
–Do you have any projects pending in case you win the contest?
–As I mentioned before, I have been thinking about a project for a long time that I would like to see come to light with the help and hand in hand of Miss International Spain. I have been working as a model for years and I have had all kinds of experiences. Some good and others not so much. I have learned a lot over the years, but I learned by myself and by falling. I would love to be able to connect with the new generations and be a support, the help that I did not have all those years. All this came to my mind when I started teaching catwalk classes at a fashion school and ended up giving more advice to know how to face this profession than merely technical lessons. I realized the importance of having a guide, a support. As a model and being one in the age of social networks, I have suffered and continue to suffer a lot of pressure today. I have suffered from severe anxiety for years, many years. I learned to accept it, live with it. I want my story to inspire you and serve as a lesson. I want to help them love each other, accept each other, so that they can see what is really important in this life. It is a very ambitious project, but I really hope to be able to reach as many young people as possible.
–Regarding the motto of the contest 'Cheer all women', do you believe in fashion as a vehicle for female empowerment?
–Of course, fashion is art and as art it has the power to convey a message. It has the power to unite people. The fight is still on achieving fashion that is ethical, sustainable and truly embraces the unique beauty of each and every one of us.
–In what ways do you think fashion could drive change towards equality?
–First we must make fashion embrace all beauty stereotypes. That all people feel identified, that it is not a "fashion", worth the redundancy. Fortunately, more and more firms are joining this movement. However, there is still a lot of work to be done and it is a long road.
–What awaits you from now on?
–If I knew, I would tell you (between laughs). I only know that I will be in Tenerife, living a wonderful experience, where I will continue learning and where I will make lifelong friends. From there... let destiny, effort and work speak.
