Eleny Rossi, a 2014 graduate of Pope John XXIII High School, marked a successful debut as an event planner with a lively Fashion Showcase at the Lynn Museum, drawing a large crowd. The event, filled with fashion, music, dance, and poetry, highlighted Rossi’s vision of bringing the Lynn community together through creative expression.
Rossi, who co-founded Regal Collaborations with her long-time friend, Jilliana Rodriguez, organized the event as their first project after launching the company in July. “We’ve known each other for about ten years,” said Rossi. “We met at UMass Amherst and after attending a high-energy fashion show in Lawrence last year, we decided it would be great to host a similar event in Lynn to showcase different forms of talent and creativity.”
The atmosphere at the Lynn Museum was charged with energy as co-hosts Bright Osajie and Angelica Castillo kicked off the program. With the help of Regal Collaborations’ model coordinator, Adesuwa Usuanlele, the event featured models showcasing streetwear to luxury styles from eight different designers. Among the models was Everett native and food show host Victoria Fabbo, who represented designer Daumos.
In addition to her event planning work, Rossi, 29, owns El’s Flour Garden, a baking business specializing in cakes and baked goods for special occasions. She graduated from UMass Amherst with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Rodriguez, 27, also a UMass Amherst graduate with a degree in Public Health, is pursuing her creative passion by starting a crochet line called Let’s Be Knotty, offering apparel and handbags.
Both women were involved in UMass Amherst’s Latinos Unidos group, where Rossi says her interest in event planning began. “We did a lot of events in college, which really sparked my passion for event planning,” Rossi shared.
Rossi expressed excitement over the strong turnout at their first event. “It was heartwarming to see the community fill the seats. We had to bring in extra chairs, which was a pleasant surprise,” she said. Rodriguez emphasized their mission to bring people together. “We want to plan fun events that also showcase local businesses, talent, and artists.”
Looking ahead, Rossi and Rodriguez are planning future events, including paint nights and open-mic sessions. “We’re excited about what’s next,” Rodriguez said.
Reflecting on her high school years, Rossi fondly remembered Pope John XXIII High School, where she played varsity volleyball and thrived as a student. “I loved Pope John. It was a tight-knit community where everyone knew each other, and it was great learning from people from different cities.”
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