LEBLANCSTUDIOS is a Caribbean fashion brand founded in 2014, based in New York City and Santo Domingo. We spotlight overlooked qualities of Latin American culture by embedding subtle satire and storytelling into our garments. We offer a new perspective that aims to resonate with Latin Americans while awakening global interest in our culture through fashion.
Angelo Beato and I, Yamil Arbaje, grew up just one street apart in the Dominican Republic. United by a shared vision of building a Dominican luxury brand with global ambition, we founded LEBLANCSTUDIOS as teenagers. Without formal training at first, we immersed ourselves in the world of garment-making by visiting local tailors and factories hours away from our hometown, learning production from the ground up. In 2016, I began formal studies in fashion design in the Dominican Republic, and later moved to New York in 2018 on a Fulbright scholarship to attend Parsons. While studying, I interned at Willy Chavarria and Bode, where I gained experience in both design and production, and met mentor Connor McKnight. I later pursued a Master’s in Fashion Design and Society at Parsons, all while working in development at Connor’s studio and in retail at Odin New York. I completed my Master’s in 2023 and received the Fashion Trust US Award in 2024. Angelo’s path has been multidisciplinary, spanning fashion, film, and creative direction. He’s styled and designed for artists such as Tokischa and Kiko el Crazy and collaborated with brands like Johnnie Walker and Fireball. Throughout all our experiences, LEBLANCSTUDIOS has remained at the center. Every collection is a continuation of our story, driven by experimentation, craftsmanship, and a deep-rooted love for the culture we come from.
