Riverdale woman's success is by design

By Kevin Deutsch

Fresia Rodriguez's dreams of producing her own clothing line seemed to always be on hold. But when the Riverdale resident's husband shipped out for his second tour in Iraq in 2006, she got a different perspective on her dream.

"When you have someone overseas in a danger zone far away from you, it makes you take stock of where you are in your life," said Ms. Rodriguez, 32, who was formerly a journalist and a staffer for New York Congressman Charles Rangel. "You ask yourself if you're happy where you are. I realized I wanted to take my life in a different direction."

Less than two years later, Ms. Rodriguez did precisely that, launching her own clothing line - Kingley & Posh - for plus-sized women. Her fall collection is due in select stores nationwide in August.

Ms. Rodriguez said her line is aimed at women sizes 14 to 24; a demographic the Bronx native didn't think had enough options at clothing stores. She set out to create a clothing line that was well made, chic and sophisticated.

"I wanted to create clothing that makes you feel good when you wear it," Ms. Rodriguez said. "It's a classic, timeless look. These pieces have flair and make women feel feminine and beautiful."

Ms. Rodriguez, a graduate of The David A. Stein Riverdale/ Kingsbridge Academy, MS/HS 141 and John F. Kennedy High School, said she learned much about clothing from her mother, whose good taste rubbed off on her.

With a clothing showroom now open in Manhattan and buyers lining up to carry her clothing, the dream Ms. Rodriguez once put aside to pursue other careers seems to have come to fruition.

"Your dream is only as good as you make it," Ms. Rodriguez said.

This is part of the April 23, 2009 online edition of The Riverdale Press.

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