We recently had the chance to connect with Tre Romero and have shared our conversation below.
Tre, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
The most surprising thing is I have followers who are always engaged with me and everything I do, but usually they never become customers, and I have a few repeat customers that interact with my very little or not at all. There are a select few who do both, but it’s usually one or the other. The point is: you can never really predict how people will respond to you, just focus on putting out quality work without expectation.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
The name’s Tre Romero, i’m the founder of my self-named brand focused on men’s fashion, specifically sexy underwear & swimwear. What sets me apart from the rest is I am the face of my brand inside-and-out, embodying confidence, self-love, ambition, sensuality, expression, liberation, and community. I made my own website, sew my own products, and model them as well.
Starting this, it was imperative that I become the type of person I want to reach, as people are gravitating more and more towards authenticity & connection, as well as feel the products they consume are made from a place of genuine passion, not solely profits.
I started sewing in high school, went to college, dropped out to be an assistant for a tailor in DTLA in 2016, made my first thong in 2020, created my brand in 2021, quit in 2022, and i’ve been at it ever since.
Currently i’m dipping my toe in the waters of music, as it’s always a source of inspiration. When a person consumes inspiration faster than they can find it, that’s when an artist is born.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I vividly remembering being 7 years old, taking a bath while my mom helped me complete a homework assignment. It was a series of questions about ourselves, and one was, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. Without hesitation, I boldly answered, ” I wanna be a Superstar!”. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I knew deep down I was going to make not only a living, but an impact on the world just by being myself.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of being seen & judged was something that took me a while to get over, and i’m still working on it. Especially in-person, I have a strong presence that’s hard to ignore despite my receptive nature, and that tends to attract people who love what I do, or piss them off royally. Far too long have I tried to be behind-the-scenes or subdue my energy to keep the harmony & peace, but all it did was eat away at my soul as the time keeps on ticking. I learned it’s my destiny to be visible and I won’t ever grow in the shadows. I would like to say I wish I learned this earlier, but everything happens for a reason at the right times, so i’m at peace with the journey.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
The project that is my Life! I actively work to infuse my interests into my projects, so business & pleasure are One, the goal being my work doesn’t feel like a chore, and I can profit from my fun.
I originally thought I wanted to be solely a fashion designer, but when I got a good grasp on that, I added on underwear & swimwear, which is what I started gaining a reputation & foundation for. Now we’re at the junction where finding music for inspiration is reaching an end, i’m having ideas of what sounds gets my body moving, and how I can combine fashion & music production/performance that’s true to me with the vibes I want to radiate.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
It’s safe to say some might believe being me the focal point of everything I get involved in or create comes off as vain, self-absorbed, even narcissistic. To that I say: It’s not everyone’s path to be in the spotlight. I tried living quietly, and all it got me was nowhere. I am at the forefront of everything I do because i’m that passionate & like to show i’m being the example I want to see in the world. Too many are waiting for someone else to be the hero, but not I.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shoptreromero.com
- Instagram: @tre_romero
- Other: TikTok: @treromero
Image Credits
Tre Romero
