The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Features

My Gutsy Plan

by

In this edition of Inside Press, I applaud the multi-dimensional perspectives put forth – pointing to so many preventive platforms for sustaining good health and perpetuating wellness.

As a journalist who relies on scientific data, and a longtime food curator dedicated to pure ingredients that provide both culinary delight and bodily nutrition, I launched Ladle of Love back in 2003 with the mindset of protecting our microbiome (keep reading for in-depth definition) while delivering delicious soups that comfort and cure.

It wasn’t the decade of deliberately clean food. It was a niche space that was reserved for those who understood the value of pure and delectable take-out food that didn’t take shortcuts. No synthetic ingredients. No stabilizers. No fillers. No sugar substitutes. No additives. No bs.

Vitamin C muffins

Just real ingredients, from local farms, nearby food vendors and neighborhood sources. Employing classic culinary techniques that rely on the layering of authentic flavors.

Fast-forward to today’s culture of clearly seeing the benefits of clean (not sanitized, but honest) food, and there’s a surge in society’s enlightened craving of consciously prepared food that boosts health. Supports wellness. And manages our dynamic digestion system – called the microbiome.

Let’s define the microbiome: it’s our collection of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses), that live in our gut. And they are responsible for roles in our bodies’ abilities to break down food, absorb nutrients, impact immunity and metabolic balance. The microbiome plays a crucial role in safeguarding both medical and mental health.

Miso Beans + Greens

So, I am here to spotlight the significance of eating your vitamins (our Vitamin C Muffins deliver vitamin C (protector of cell damage) through shredded beets and carrots, cranberries and oranges), spooning your nutrients (our Miso Beans + Greens proffers fiber, protein and minerals that help support heart health, control blood sugar and strengthen bones), and slurping our can’t-keep-it-in-the-crockpot (meaning it sells out every day at the Bronxville Shop) Anti-Inflammatory Pumpkin Soup that supplies inflammation fighters – turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom. Newsflash: Pumpkins are packed with Vitamin A, C and E, potassium and fiber that help manage weight and may reduce cancer risks. And butternut squash is rich in beta carotene that boosts immunity and aids digestion.

Our Vitamin C Muffins make breakfast a sweet and healthful treat that’s good for your defense system – and will have you waving buh-bye to fried and overly-sugary donuts. Also great for a mid-day snack. And even as an after-dinner sweet- tooth soother.

This mellow but mighty Miso Beans + Greens is truly something to stew about! A creamy texture from the collaboration of white and black beans plus garbanzos, gets it umami flavor from the miso, earthy notes from kale and spinach, and brightness from lemon and cilantro.

Yeah – you can drink and drive with a cup of our Anti-Inflammatory Pumpkin Soup that upstages Starbuck’s Pumpkin Latte with the cousins of its warm flavors – without any dairy. Coconut milk adds a creamy consistency to the thick, aromatic potion of pumpkin, butternut squash, turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom. No butter. Just olive oil. And a whole lotta love.

Trust your gut.

Striking a Chord & Learning in Harmony

by

Mr. Marc Beja, BHHS Director of the Fine Arts Department
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BYRAM HILLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

At Byram Hills High School, music is much more than an elective class, it is an opportunity for self-expression, collaboration, and creativity. From traditional performance ensembles to music production and theory classes, the music program offers students countless ways to explore who they are and how they communicate through sound.

For many students, music became a defining part of the high school experience. As a junior enrolled in Music Theory, I discovered how understanding structure, harmony, and composition could deepen my appreciation for music and fuel a growing passion for music production. Now, as a senior, I have the opportunity to take more advanced music courses that continue to shape me into a more well-rounded student while allowing me to focus on a specialized area I love.

Leading this inventive and expanding program is Mr. Marc Beja, Director of the Fine Arts Department at Byram Hills. His vision reflects the district’s commitment to the “five Cs” of learning: community, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. According to Mr. Beja, “The Byram Hills music program so beautifully encompasses the “five Cs” of learning that the District prioritizes: community, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. Our music students engage in authentic and meaningful musical experiences to create and present work, and to explore themselves, their communities, and the world through creativity, reflection, critical thinking, and collaboration. When students graduate from Byram Hills and our music program, we know they are prepared to continue to use these skills for the rest of their lives in musical and non-musical settings.”

Byram Hills music program sets itself apart with its depth and variety, both during the school day and after the final bell rings. Students can participate in band, orchestra, and chorus, while also exploring classes such as studio music production and composition, music theory, guitar workshop, and theater technology. Beyond coursework, the department supports a wide range of faculty-led and student-led opportunities, including jazz band, jazz choir, a cappella, music tech club, and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. This expansive and inclusive program was recently recognized when Byram Hills was named a 2025 “Best Community for Music Education” by the NAMM Foundation.

Performance and production classes work hand in hand to give students a well-rounded musical education. While many students express themselves through live performance, others thrive behind the scenes–composing, producing, mixing, and capturing sound. Studio music students regularly contribute to live performances and theatrical productions, gaining hands-on experience with real-world applications of music technology. Theater tech students, meanwhile, work with professional-grade lighting and sound equipment, as well as new projection technology made possible through a grant from the Byram Hills Education Foundation.

Byram Hills District Music Festival
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BYRAM HILLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Throughout the year, students have numerous opportunities to share their work with both the school community and the public. Performances range from Pep Band at football games and Choir Cabaret in the fall to winter concerts, jazz events, and theatrical productions. A highlight of the year is the Districtwide Music Festival, which brings together fifth graders, eighth graders, and high school students for a day of collaboration and performance. Spring events include the annual musical, concerts, jazz showcases, and community performances, culminating with ensemble performances at graduation. Students also participate in NYSSMA festivals and All-State ensembles, and last year, Byram Hills musicians had the unforgettable opportunity to perform publicly at Walt Disney World.

One of the most memorable and exciting opportunities is the Disney trip that occurs every other year. According to Mr. Beja, “The high school music department’s trip last March to Walt Disney World was certainly a highlight for the students and teachers. From last March to the beginning of the school year, the ensembles were working on special repertoire that they got to perform for the public at Disney Springs.

What was so exciting about those performances was that they weren’t just for audiences of our students’ families, friends, and teachers – hundreds of strangers heard the fantastic music our students were making and chose to stop what they were doing to sit in the hot sun and enjoy those performances. The audience responses were so enthusiastic and positive! All three ensembles also got to attend music workshops with Disney teaching artists behind the scenes, learning and recording new arrangements of Disney songs, and collaborating in a shortened period to create something special.”

One of the program’s greatest strengths is its accessibility. Music education at Byram Hills begins as early as fifth grade, with all students participating in music through at least eighth grade. Because high school ensembles and extracurricular groups include students from grades nine through twelve, newcomers with varying levels of experience are welcomed and supported. This structure naturally fosters leadership, mentorship, and growth, reinforcing the idea that there is a place for everyone in the Fine Arts- regardless of background or skill level.

According to Mr. Beja, the personal growth students experience through music is just as important as their musical development. Being part of an ensemble or production requires teamwork, focus, problem-solving, and dedication. Each student plays a vital role, and together they create something meaningful for an audience. Music classes also provide an essential outlet which can create a space for creativity, stress relief, self-expression, and belonging during the school day.

Looking ahead, the future of the Byram Hills music program is bright. Participation continues to grow, allowing the department to expand offerings and add additional ensemble periods. With increasing enthusiasm and ongoing support, the Fine Arts at Byram Hills remain a thriving and integral part of the school community.

The Byram Hills music program stands as a cornerstone of creativity, collaboration, and community within the district. Through its diverse offerings, it empowers students to grow not only as musicians, but as confident, thoughtful individuals–prepared to carry these skills with them long after graduation. To learn more about Marc Beja watch this short video on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX0cpWej0gs

One Resident’s Story of Hope & Healing

by

PHOTO BY DONNA MUELLER

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines courage as “the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” This word certainly applies to lifelong Pleasantville resident Yvette Ferrao Smyth. Last year, Smyth went through a serious medical condition. But with courage, faith and a sense of humor, she has come out the other side and wants to help bring awareness to others. When talking to Smyth, her sense of joy for life and her gratitude really shine through.

“Pleasantville is my hometown – I formally lived on Lake Shore Drive, in the first house ever built on that street.” Smyth’s late husband inherited the home from his paternal aunt, and they loved living in that neighborhood. Smyth has always loved gardening – everything from vegetables, flowers, herbs and berries, and her neighbors proclaimed hers the best garden on the street. But on a few occasions last Spring, she had a fall in her garden. “I thought, maybe I’m doing too much but there came a point I couldn’t go up the stairs in my house.” She started eating better but her health wasn’t improving, and things were getting worse with Smyth taking to sleeping downstairs and losing the ability to cook and other simple tasks.

“On May 30, 2025, I couldn’t get out of bed. The young couple next door suggested I go to the hospital,” said Smyth. A few days prior, she had noticed a golf ball-sized bump on her right thigh, which she assumed was merely a bruise. “I had the courage to think positive, I didn’t want to give up, thinking surely this will pass.” But Smyth was admitted to Northern Westchester Hospital for what would be a series of procedures to save her life.

She was first diagnosed with a hematoma – essentially internal bleeding and immediately had surgery. Smyth also needed a blood transfusion as well as a mesh inserted into her thigh. In addition, there were other issues to be dealt with. Smyth was also diagnosed with a parathyroid issue and had a transsphenoidal surgery to remove a benign tumor that was pushing her pituitary gland. She also required a right frontal VP shunt insertion. ”I had just gotten out of the ICU and then had to go back in.” She credits Dr. Danilo Otavio De Araujo Sliva, Director of Neurosurgery, with saving her life. “I met with him and immediately took a liking to him. He is my hero. He said, ‘there are always risks in surgery, but you’ll be alright’ and I trusted him.” All of Smyth’s children had flown in to be with her after her first surgery but at some point, had to go home to their families. “I was petrified and alone, but I had courage – faith and prayers. I said, I am going to make it through this, and I did.”

Smyth’s faith and courage through adversity helped her get through a very tough time in her life. “Am I going to be OK? I’ve always been so vibrant, going out and about in Pleasantville. I’m not going to give up. I promised myself I would be the same person again.” After her surgeries, Smyth was taken to Phelps Memorial Hospital for physical therapy, though she was still having trouble walking when she returned home in June 2025. After turning 74 in August, she was still not feeling 100% and decided to put her house up for sale. Relocating to an apartment in the center of Pleasantville has been the right move for her. “I live right above Chase Bank, and I think to myself – I’m sitting upon other people’s millions,” she says with a smile.

She can now walk and jog and calls it a miracle. “I had the courage and faith to go through this recovery. A positive attitude, faith and prayers help. With God’s help you can make it through and things work out.” And as for her longtime status in Pleasantville Smyth says, “I feel blessed and fortunate to be in Pleasantville, I couldn’t ask for a better place to live. You grow where you’re planted.”

Why “Boomerangs” Love their Hometowns on the Holidays (and Year-Round)

by

Choosing where to raise a family is a difficult choice. There are so many factors at play from budgetary concerns, commute time to work, school districts and access to outdoor spaces and town amenities are just a few that come to mind. For some residents in Armonk, Chappaqua and Pleasantville the choice was easy. They decided to raise their families in the same town that they grew up in and thus I have dubbed these people “boomerangs” instead of the somewhat disparaging word “townies”.

Here are three families who have such wonderful childhood memories and local hometown pride that they hope to pass down to their children:

Jenn Tucker Salon, Chappaqua

Josh and Jenn Tucker Salon were in the same kindergarten class at Grafflin Elementary School. Josh moved in the middle of the year so there were no class photos of them and despite both of them remaining in the district, they were never in class together again. Still their families ran in the same social circles and the two were friendly even throughout high school.

They both graduated Horace Greeley High School in 1999. He graduated from the University of Delaware and Jenn graduated from SUNY Oneonta. Like many recent college graduates, they both moved back home to save money so that they could move into the city.

When commuting to the city, they kept an eye on each other to ensure they were safe getting off the Metro-North late at night. Josh moved to the city first working at his family’s property management company, Salon Realty and Jenn moved later working in publishing in event management for magazines such as Town & Country and In Style.

Eventually the two became involved in a romantic relationship and Jenn moved out of her apartment to move into his. “It felt like a “Friends” episode leaving my roommate who was my best friend from Grafflin,” she jokes. The Salons lived in Manhattan for 15 years and had two boys in the city, Chase and Wes.

“When I came home with Wes from the hospital to our apartment, I finally had the realization that we had to move. Chase’s bikes and scooters were in my powder room. I didn’t want to leave the city but I knew we needed more space,” she recalls.

The couple looked all over lower Westchester but realized they could get more value for their money in northern Westchester and began looking at houses in Chappaqua, Pleasantville and Katonah. One day a house on Ludlow Drive went on the market in the middle of winter. It was perfect and turn key. “Josh who works in real estate, said let’s look at it. Something is up for it to be on the market right now.” Turns out, Josh was right. The couple who recently renovated the property had to relocate for a job on the West Coast and they needed to sell the property quickly. The rest is history.

Josh and Jenn always loved the tight knit community of Chappaqua and the magical small town feel of it especially during the holidays. Growing up there was a Christmas tree lighting by the Duck Pond in town. Jenn recalls a gigantic tree near this little white house that was lit up by the property owners. Eventually the upkeep became too difficult for the property owners, so the New Castle Historical Society helped the owners. “That tree was so big in my eyes. I loved it when that tree lit up with the carolers singing. It meant the holidays were starting and it was a big deal. People came out to see the tree lighting no matter what religion they were. It brought everybody together. No other town had this gigantic special tree.”

Today, Jenn works at Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester as a teacher in the Temple Tots program. Jenn, who grew up with her mom in a Christian household once her parents divorced, always felt a pull towards Judaism from her father’s side and attending her many Jewish friends’ seders, Shabbat dinners and shivas. “While we were raising our boys Jewish, I decided to convert after October 7th.” Jenn underwent conversion studies with Rabbis Jonathan Jaffe and Leora Londy and proudly partook in High Holiday services at Temple Beth El this fall as a full-fledged Jew.

Jenn likes to joke around that she is “Jew-minican” as her mother is Dominican. She also says that she is proud to be called a “townie”. “So many of us come back here, so I’m not offended to be called that. Chappaqua is a great place to grow up,” she concludes.

From Class of ‘95, Chappaqua

PHOTO COURTESY OF PHOENIX KELLY-RAPPA

These “boomerangs” from the Horace Greeley Class of 1995 were all varsity members of the football team. They recently celebrated Greeley’s victory over Port Chester at homecoming. All of these fathers currently have children in the Chappaqua Central School District.

Pictured left to right are: Dennis Byrne (Captain ’95), Dave Sederbaum (Captain ’95), Zach Fisher, Adam Tucker (Captain ’95) and Evan Kaplow (Captain ’95). Sederbaum’s son James currently plays on the varsity football team, wearing the same number proudly as his father wore, on his uniform.

 

Paul Alvarez, Pleasantville

Paul Alvarez first came to the US from Ecuador in 1992 as a young boy following in his parent’s footsteps. His mother Maritza and his father Guillermo (Bill) came before him, working hard jobs in landscaping and as a dishwasher and busboy at the Riviera on Tompkins Avenue. The family settled in a multi-family house on Marble Avenue and Paul started fourth grade at the Bedford Road School. While Paul was a top student in his third-grade class in Ecuador, he did not speak any English when he started school in town but had a strong desire to learn and worked hard with an ESL (English as a second language) teacher.

Paul found the Pleasantville community very welcoming and supportive right from the start. He recalls meeting a high school tutor at the Mount Pleasant library to work on improving his reading skills. “The first book I read by myself was Judy Blume’s Frecklejuice,” he remembers proudly. As a current Village Trustee, he is now helping that library complete its master plan. “I have the ability to give to this place that has given so much to so many- it is truly a full circle moment.”

As a student at Pleasantville High School, Paul was a varsity wrestler, a member of the high school choir and a drummer in the school band. He also volunteered as a teacher’s aide at the Bedford Road School. He earned a scholarship to SUNY Oneonta, where he completed a dual major in political science and Spanish and met his wife, Katie.

After graduation, he decided to move back to Pleasantville and help his parent’s successful residential and commercial cleaning business, Alvarez Cleaning & Home Services whose office is located on Washington Avenue with more than 20 employees. Katie, who grew up in White Plains fell in love with the small town feel of Pleasantville and the strong sense of community in town. “I remember taking her to some football games in town and it reminded her of “Friday Night Lights” with the whole community coming out to support the team.”

It did not take a lot of convincing for Katie, a teaching assistant for the White Plains school district, to choose Pleasantville as the town to raise their family in. In 2010, the couple purchased their first home in Pleasantville but it was part of the West Lake School District. They now have two children, 9-year-old Brendan and 6-year-old Madison. They were thrilled to buy a new home in the Pleasantville school district this past year on Wilton Road and now delight in watching their kids ride bikes in the neighborhood with friends or walk to school with them. “It’s surreal that my son is now the same age as I was when I came to the US and he’s at the Bedford Road School,” said Paul.

After helping his parent’s business for a bit, Paul then worked as an interpreter, paralegal and office manager of Julie Mullaney in Mount Kisco. At his father’s urging, he suggested that Paul take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). He took it twice and was accepted to Pace Law School in White Plains and graduated in two and a half years. In 2020, he moved Mullaney’s law practice to Pleasantville on Manville Road and purchased it. He now practices immigration, traffic and criminal law.

Paul has always strived to give back to the community that he feels has given him so much. He became Vice President of the Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce in 2012 and became a Village Trustee in 2020.

As part of his role in the Chamber of Commerce, Paul has been busy planning a big event on December 7th for the winter holidays in a new location by the civic center across from the Pleasantville Diner. He has such fond memories of the holidays growing up in town. “I loved how the different stores were lit up on Wheeler and Washington Avenue. There would be Pleasantville High School students caroling around the stores with snow on the ground. My 11-year-old self was like, wow. This is where I live. This is like in a movie.”

He hopes to recreate those cherished holiday memories for a new group of Pleasantville residents this winter season. “We have such a vibrant downtown for a small area. We feel blessed here,” he said.

Karin and John Wolff, Armonk

Karin and John Wolff grew up on the same street a few houses down from each other on Pond Lane in Windmill Farm. They were two grades apart but their families were friendly and in high school, the two started dating. “We went to prom together,” recalls Karin but the couple broke up when John went away to college at Harvard University. “We always stayed in touch though and the couple rekindled their relationship in New York City about eight years after graduating. Karin attended Union College for undergraduate but both of them attended Columbia University for graduate school. Karin obtained a Masters in Education and John pursued his MBA there. Today, John works in the tech/private equity industry for Insight Partners and Karin teaches technology at Greenwich Country Day School.

Their first apartment after living in the city was in White Plains where they welcomed two daughters, Riley and Skylar but needed more space. They looked at houses in Greenwich but felt the downtown was too crowded. Eventually, they moved back to Armonk. “What brought us back was bittersweet as my father passed away suddenly,” John said. The couple wanted to be close to John’s mother and in fact they are now next-door neighbors as they purchased a home that was off market in 2022. “The kids love going over to grandma to have pancakes,” John notes.

“I have such fond memories of growing up in Windmill skating on the pond in my backyard and playing ice hockey. I vividly remember checking every single pond and lake to check if it was safe to skate with a drill and organizing the Christmas Day skate where we would have 20-30 people out there skating. There is something extremely unique and magical about skating on a frozen lake. Now we are recreating those memories with our daughters who also ice skate and play ice hockey,” says John, whose father, Rick, started the Byram Hills High School ice hockey team which today is flourishing.

Karin recalls childhood memories of sledding by Windmill Hill. “It is very quiet here and very special. You feel like you are stepping back in time and we cherish that.”

The Estrada Effect: Inspiration that Ignites Confidence & Style

by

Fragmented photo collage of the Estrada twins–Jesus (left) and Antonio (right)
ARTIST JOJI OTANI-HANSEN

From their Armonk atelier to the national spotlight on “Project Runway”, the Estrada twins blend bold silhouettes, empowering narratives, and fearless individuality into every creation.

More Than Designers: They Are Confidence Creators

If you think high fashion is just about glitz and glam, think again. Meet Jesus and Antonio Estrada, twin brothers, design visionaries, and storytellers, based in Armonk, who bring something much deeper to the table. They weave heart, inspiration, and timeless elegance into every stitch.

While trends come and go, the Estrada’s design to the rhythm of their own enduring style. One rooted in identity, community, and unwavering passion. In their creative studio, the lessons and experiences from “Project Runway” continue to inspire a journey that challenges expectation and celebrates individuality at every step.

Each garment they create is more than couture. It’s an invitation to confidence. Whether it’s a teenage girl stepping into her moment, a style-savvy mom rediscovering her edge, or a woman leading with fearless grace, The Estrada’s design not just dresses, but moments of self-expression and joy. One piece at a time, they’re redefining what it means to wear confidence beautifully.

Roots, Risk, and Realness

PHOTO BY INSYNC STUDIOS

Raised by a single mom who wove kindness into every part of their upbringing, Jesus and Antonio Estrada learned early that how you treat people matters just as much as raw talent. “I think it all comes from how we were raised, in a loving environment with our mom and family, cousins, customs, and everything. It’s part of the Estrada brand. Estrada is not just a brand; we want it to be a lifestyle,” they explain.

Their story began in Mazatlán, Mexico, before the family moved to San Diego when the twins were almost four years old. It was there that those early lessons of love, respect, and authenticity took root. Antonio was the first to show a flair for fashion. By age eight, he was curating his model mom’s wardrobe, mixing textures, pairing bold looks, and doing her hair and makeup with an instinct that hinted at his future path.

At 21, Antonio moved east to work as an au pair, landing in Westchester, where he found a local boutique that became his first runway. It was there he stumbled upon an unexpected but perfect niche: designing bat mitzvah dresses and discovering his creative calling.

Jesus, meanwhile, pursued animation before realizing that his true passion lived in fabric, form, and expression. Fashion school led him to audition for “Project Runway” season seven in 2011, where his talent found a national stage.

Though life had taken them in different directions, both brothers carved their unique paths in fashion. When Antonio called Jesus to join him in Westchester, the Estrada vision found its home. The twin designers transformed their shared dream into the evolving Estrada Empire.

The Bat Mitzvah Revolution

“Bat- Mitz -Vah”, the word that took Jesus a minute to pronounce and Antonio an instant to recognize as the spark to an incredible opportunity. The Bat Mitzvah dress market turned out to be a world where demand far outpaced supply and sequins and crystals met purpose.

As Jesus explains it, Antonio compared the celebration to a quinceañera, except for Jewish girls celebrating their coming of age. Jesus didn’t miss a beat and joined Antonio in Westchester.

Antonio was the fashionista, trendsetter, and influencer” before there was social media or anything.” Jesus says with a laugh. It took one client before word spread of the amazing Estrada brothers and their fabulous Bat Mitzvah dresses.

From there, success came in stylish strides: working as in-house designers, creating their own line, opening their own studio, and, as they say, the rest is Estrada history.

From Mazatlán to Main Street: Why the Estrada’s Chose Armonk

Their barn at 480 Main Street in Armonk is the heartbeat of Jesus and Antonio Estrada’s world. “Antonio and I are around nature,” Jesus says. We wake up to the sound of the birds.” That calm, natural energy sparks their imagination every day. Armonk has a rare vibe, a close-knit community surrounded by beauty with quick and easy access to the buzz of New York City. “The people here have been amazing and so supportive,” Antonio adds.” It reminds me of home. We love it here.”

For the Estrada’s, Armonk felt like the natural next step, the perfect place where everything could flow seamlessly. Their clients and collaborators are nearby, creating a smooth rhythm of connection. This barn is not just a studio. It’s where the laid-back San Diego spirit meets their cultural background and New York City’s bold style energy. The rustic feel reflects their signature ability to encompass skill and creativity, blending timeless tradition with vibrant innovation in every piece they make.

Reality TV Meets Real Talent: Project Runway’s Twin Takeover

The Estrada’s stepped onto the Project Runway Season 21 stage and instantly captured the hearts of viewers everywhere. Although they competed individually, they knew their biggest challenge was protecting their bond as family, twins, and business partners.

“We wanted to do Project Runway together because we wanted to tell our story the right way. We’ve done so much in our careers.” Jesus explains. “It was a hard journey for both of us. I never wanted to feel that Antonio was better than me, and I never wanted Antonio to feel that I was better than him. That was kind of our strategy going into this together. We were truly ourselves.”

For Jesus and Antonio, the real takeaway from Project Runway was the strengthening of their undeniable bond and the lasting reminder not to let competition get in their heads.” I feel the universe was like, ‘No, you’re not going to be the winner because you and your brother are both the winners.'” Jesus says with a smile in his voice. Antonio chimes in, “Project Runway gave us the platform to show who we truly are as designers.”

The Real Magic: How Inspiration Empowers Elegance

Perhaps the most inspiring part of their story, though, is how they prove that fashion can be a powerful tool for all ages. Take a trip to the Estrada’s studio, and you’ll see it’s more than an atelier.

When clients come in for their milestone celebrations, bat mitzvahs, weddings, and beyond, they don’t just get dresses. They get carefully crafted conversations and lessons in confidence. No cookie-cutter gowns here; its empowerment sewn into every seam.

What’s striking is how Jesus and Antonio don’t treat clients like customers. They treat them as collaborators on their confidence journey. “It is very important for us to listen to our clients”. They talk through insecurities, dreams, and style preferences. “We know how to hide flaws and make sure they are comfortable. We want them to feel powerful, magnetic, and electric.” Jesus said. A fitting is a pep talk in self-love disguised as fashion.

The Future of Estrada

The future of Estrada shines as brightly as the Swarovski crystals that embellish their gowns. Building on a foundation of exquisite fashion, the brand is expanding its collaborations and branching into accessories, bags, and furniture to further define the distinctive Estrada lifestyle.

One exciting collaboration is EstradaXDominique. Combining the craftsmanship of Dominique Intimate Apparel with Estrada’s innovative design. They’ve created a stunning collection of bustiers that marry delicate detail with elegant comfort.

Why The Estrada Effect Is More Than Just Fashion

These aren’t just clothes. They create experiences you wear. Dresses that don’t just fit your body but fit your story, your confidence, and your joy. Every gown is an attention grabber, a bold step forward, and a celebration of exactly who you are.

It’s never been just about fabric or crystals. It’s about the people behind the dress – the girls, the women, and their special moments – that the Estrada’s honor with their clients becoming their friends, family, and biggest supporters.

What makes their brand so incredible is that they design to inspire and connect with real life. Whether it’s a flower girl turning twirls into magic, their signature bat mitzvah dress transforming a milestone into magnificence, or a mom finding her sparkle for a gala, the Estrada effect is the confidence you carry long after the last stitch is sewn.

And that’s the Estrada Effect: feeling like the best, most fearless version of yourself. When you wear an Estrada, you’re not just dressed. You are empowered.