From the Dominican Republic to Ridgewood

IN THE HEART of downtown Ridgewood, Cenia New York quietly redefines elegance, empowerment, and entrepreneurial grit. Founded by designer Cenia Paredes, it is more than a retail space—it’s the culmination of a dream that began in a small home in the Dominican Republic and now thrives on Franklin Avenue.

A CHILDHOOD STITCHED WITH INSPIRATION

Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Paredes’ earliest memories hum with the sounds of her mother’s sewing machine.

“My first true spark of interest in fashion, and dressmaking came directly from watching my mother, who was the local seamstress,” she shares. “Our home was filled with the sights and sounds of creation. The simple act of standing by her while she was cutting fabrics or using the sewing machine captivated me. I was full of questions, constantly pestering her about every step of the process.”

Her passion quickly evolved from curiosity to creativity. “My earliest memories revolve around that workspace,” she says. “My mother taught me how to sew at a very early age, but I didn’t stop there. I would gather the scraps of fabric she had cut away and use them to make my own little creations. Soon, I progressed to imagining full dresses and sketching them up. Sketching my designs became my absolute favorite hobby, taking the place of playing with dolls. I filled countless notebooks with hundreds of sketches.”

It was her aunt who helped crystallize that passion into a career goal. “One day, when she came to visit and saw my overflowing collection of sketches, she exclaimed: ‘Cenia! You’re going to be a fashion designer when you grow up!’ She then told me about the great Dominican designer, Oscar de la Renta. Before that moment, I didn’t even realize being a fashion designer was a legitimate career path. Hearing about him made my eyes and heart sparkle—at that moment, I decided that’s exactly what I would become.”

BECOMING A FULL-FLEDGED FASHION DESIGNER

Paredes’ professional journey began when she moved to the United States with her family. “I saw the move not just as a change of location, but as the chance I needed to finally pursue my long-held dream of becoming a designer.”

She began building her portfolio and researching fashion schools, determining that the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) was the perfect “fit” for her. “I was completely mesmerized by the student creations and sketches exhibited in the hallways. I became obsessed with the idea of enrolling there,” she says.

Despite working full-time and learning a new language, she applied and was accepted.

“It took six years of intense effort, but I ultimately graduated with a degree in Fashion Design, earning summa cum laude honors,” she says.

This monumental achievement immediately opened the door for me to work in New York’s fashion industry, which was yet another dream come true,” she says.

FROM THE GROUND UP

After more than a decade in the corporate fashion world, Paredes took a leap of faith. “I quit my full-time job to launch my own line, Cenia New York. In the early days, I was a one-woman show, handling everything from design and production in the Garment District to billing and shipping while wholesaling to specialty boutiques.”

Her brand quickly gained traction. “Within a couple of years, I successfully grew my distribution to over 50 doors nationwide.”

Major milestones followed. “I was one of only 22 entrepreneurs selected for The Workshop at Macy’s Opportunity program from 900 applicants. I was one of the four winners whose line launched into select Macy’s stores nationwide in 2012.”

Then came her breakthrough with HSN/QVC: “My innovative Cenia Convi Jean (a patent-pending design) won ‘The Big Find’ competition sponsored by HSN/QVC, an opportunity that saw my jeans sell on national TV in a limited edition run in 2020.”

After the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Paredes pivoted her strategy. “I returned to focusing on specialty store wholesaling but decided to pursue a long-held desire for a more direct connection with my customers,” she says. “This led me to open my first retail store right here in Ridgewood.”

The choice of location was serendipitous. “I was specifically drawn to Ridgewood because it was the perfect, organic match for the Cenia New York brand, a choice that was actually suggested by a loyal client who lives in the area. I knew the Village’s appreciation for quality, sophistication, and unique, high-end retail perfectly aligned with our brand’s ethos of tasteful elegance and locally-made quality.”

A BRAND THAT CELEBRATES CURVES

Paredes’ designs are known for their flattering fit and timeless elegance.

“Growing up in the Dominican Republic in a dressmaking family, I learned that women of all shapes want to feel radiantly feminine. My designs empower women who embrace their curves with a tasteful, sophisticated sexiness.”

She saw a gap in the market and filled it. “After graduating from FIT, I recognized that mass-market sizing fails curvy women. Cenia New York solved this with revolutionary patternmaking and a unique fit concept that addresses the actual proportions of different body types, not just standardized sizes.” Her definition of elegance is rooted in construction and intention. “Elegance starts with how a dress is constructed. My revolutionary patternmaking and choice of exquisite fabrics ensure a perfect drape that celebrates a woman’s curves, giving her effortless confidence.”

Paredes’ designs consciously avoid fleeting trends. Instead, they blend vibrant Latin heritage with modern lines to create classic, enduring silhouettes, ensuring a polished and refined look.

ADVICE FOR ASPIRING DESIGNERS

Paredes offers powerful advice to young designers, especially those from immigrant backgrounds.

“Embrace your edge. Your unique background, culture, and life experience are your design signature,” she says. “Let them define your brand’s unique mission and market niche. Remember that fashion design is only half the job. Dedicate yourself to mastering the business fundamentals—cash flow, strategic sourcing, and profitability—because passion alone cannot pay the rent.”

Paredes also reminds young entrepreneurs to build a safety net to be realistic about financial strain. “Secure your personal stability before going all in.”

A BOUTIQUE WITH PURPOSE

Since opening her boutique, Paredes has felt deeply supported. “The Ridgewood community has become an essential partner and a true support system for Cenia New York. My loyal customers have often become friends and are the foundation of my organic growth through constant referrals to friends and family. This community is truly investing in my business.”

She sees herself as both a resource and a role model. “As a resource, Cenia New York provides the tangible solution: exquisitely made clothing with a revolutionary fit that instantly gives a woman confidence,” she says. “As an inspiration, my journey—as an immigrant, mother, and entrepreneur— shows that passion, combined with hard work, allows you to design the life and the confidence you want, both in business and in how you present yourself to the world.”

For Cenia, the reward is in the freedom and fulfillment. “The most rewarding part is the unrivaled freedom of driving my own future. Despite the relentless challenges, there is nothing like having fashion design— my biggest passion—be the engine of my life. Seeing a design go from sketch to a beautiful piece and then seeing a client leave my store feeling confident and celebrated, proves that all the sacrifice is worth building a future completely on my own terms.”

BY KRIS PEPPER