Rising Stars: Meet Franchela Ulises

Today we’d like to introduce you to Franchela Ulises.

Hi Franchela, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born in St. Thomas, the United States Virgin Islands and my parents are from the Dominican Republic. I grew up on two islands with people who looked similar to me. In 2010, I moved to Arizona to start college. After being in Arizona for a few weeks, I noticed that people would ask me the same question. Where did you learn Spanish?” and “You don’t look, Latina.” Later, I understood that many people did not understand the term Afro-Latino and where we come from. So, I decided that I needed to educate the community by starting my organization. The purpose of Mujeres of all shades is to offer a space for women of different ethnicity, body types, and skin tones to express themselves and educate others about their culture. Fashion and supporting women are my biggest passion. I am a model, a stylist, and a creative director; my experience in the field motivated me to offer a space for women worldwide to embrace their beauty.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting something new always comes with its challenges. The fear of rejection and failure always tries to sneak up, but the passion and drive have always been stronger. I am grateful to have such a supportive and loving community that has supported my mission of uniting women of different ethnicities to embrace growth and individuality.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Mujeres of all shades is a community focused on empowering women of all shades. Through fashion and culture. MOAS was created to help women embrace who they are. I have been modeling for over 9 years @franchelafranco and styling for over 5 years with my brand @styledbymodestu. I focus on the runway and editorial photography. I use my experience to help women embrace their individuality by offering styled shoots, posing classes, and workshops on fashion and diversity within our communities. We have a hard time, and surrounding ourselves with strong, like-minded women is always helpful.

I am most proud of the growth I see in the women who are part of our community. Their confidence after each meet-up, photoshoot, and interaction with other women is priceless. The comments and the feedback of people in the community regarding the impact we are making are incredible. What sets Mujeres of shades from others is that this organization has a purpose. We strive to help, encourage and continue to unite women in all parts of the world. Passion is nothing without action. When we believe in something, we need to go for it. Leaving fear behind and embracing our talents is the best thing we can do for ourselves and others. Mujeres of all shades were created to do just that. Our life experiences can change someone’s life.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is positively impacting my community. The people around you might not remember what you did, but they will remember how you made them feel.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mujeresofallshades.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com @franchelafranco
• Facebook: Franchela Franco
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/fb0dIPoOBTk

Image Credits
1 Photo yellow blazer Alexys brandon 2. Styling photogtaphy Nikki charnstrom 3. Colorful outfits looking to the right. Uriel Iturralde 4. All the other photos Aubree Tippett