Janelle De Souza
At 30, Miguel de la Rosa, recognized within the native leisure business as SpaceBoi The Stylist, already has three companies below his belt.
He’s a celeb wardrobe stylist, has a digital advertising and marketing firm below his SpaceBoi model, is the artistic director and clothier of DLR Clothes Co, and not too long ago grew to become the founding father of Gaea Vitality, a vegan, natural wellness firm.
Taught to stitch by his mom from an early age, de la Rosa naturally developed an curiosity in vogue.
He graduated from the College of the West Indies (UWI) in 2013 with a BSc in administration research and double minors in finance and advertising and marketing earlier than incomes an MBA in logistics and provide chain administration from the Australian Institute of Enterprise in 2018.
Whereas at UWI, he “launched into a brand new path of self-expression” by way of his look, sporting principally his unique or customised items. He not solely found the “liberating spirit of vogue” however realised others tried to duplicate his type.
Due to this fact, in February 2014, he adopted his ardour and launched his vogue line, DLR Clothes Co.
“DLR Clothes Co is a streetwear model that specialises in ready-to-wear clothes. The model’s watchwords are daring, city and distinctive.
“Because the artistic director of DLR, my purpose is to encourage native avenue put on fans to be free with their type decisions and to be extra adventurous relating to vogue.”
Since then, de la Rosa has launched six collections and designed customized items for celeb shoppers.
As SpaceBoi The Stylist, he provides wardrobe styling, picture session, customized costume/wardrobe conceptualisation/manufacturing and private purchasing companies.
He has labored with public figures and celebrities together with Schooling Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Ro’dey The Entertainer, soca artistes Machel Montano, Nailah Blackman, Erphaan Alves, Nessa Preppy, Patrice Roberts, and Olatunji, Jamaican dancehall artiste Popcaan, American vogue mannequin Irvin Randle, and extra.
“I all the time knew that I used to be a pure artistic however I simply didn’t know which subject I might have ventured into. Once I stumbled upon vogue I discovered my getaway. I knew that is what I used to be meant to do. I can overlook about all that’s taking place round me and log right into a world that’s really looks like residence. I additionally suppose I get to expertise one of the best of each worlds as I’m able to create customized items for my shoppers and in addition type it to perfection. The tip outcome? Pure Magic!”
In his interplay with shoppers he inspired them to drink extra water and eat more healthy so he doubted any of them could be stunned to study he was concerned in one thing to do with wellness.
“In 2020, when the whole lot was at a standstill, the leisure business was not energetic. That is after I needed to go internally and discover my subsequent ardour, the place I may channel my creativity and power, and what I may do to maintain me energetic and make an revenue. That is the place the thought of Gaea Vitality stemmed from.”
In line with de la Rosa, at a sure level in life, he felt the necessity to pay extra consideration to his well being and what he was placing into his physique.
“In 2016 or 2017, I obtained a message in my head that I wanted to cease consuming meat and consuming alcohol. And I simply mentioned, ‘I can’t ignore this voice so I’m going to do it. I have to strive one thing completely different and see the way it goes.’ Issues actually took a constructive flip after I listened and I haven’t seemed again since.”
For a number of years he moved between veganism and vegetarianism however he’s now a pescatarian.
Then, a couple of yr in the past he stared to analysis superfoods and repeatedly got here throughout sea moss. He learn that it had a lot of the needed nutritional vitamins and minerals the physique wants. Additionally listed as advantages have been that it rids the physique of mucus, will increase power, boosts immunity, aids digestion, promotes weight reduction, promotes wholesome pores and skin and hair progress, enhance libido, and lowers blood strain.
So, he began utilizing it to see what would occur. He quickly felt and noticed a distinction in his physique, which stunned him.
“It actually made a distinction in my life and the way I used to be functioning at the moment. It actually spoke to me. I assumed, ‘This may very well be a sport changer, this might make a distinction in so many individuals’s lives. Why not strive my greatest to create one thing that’s sea moss primarily based?’”
He started to make use of sea moss religiously, and began making the gel for himself however discovered the flavour to be missing.
Round January he got here up with the thought of infusing it with pure fruits. He went to his mom, Phylis Ann de la Rosa, who was a chef at her personal restaurant for 12 years earlier than retiring, and she or he delivered.
“My mother is actually the mastermind behind the recipes. I provide you with loopy concepts and she or he is the one who brings it residence and makes it occur.
“We took the time to do the right analysis to know the shelf life, what works and what doesn’t, as a result of not the whole lot may very well be infused and stay of a specific high quality. We took the time to seek out the proper fusion.”
And so, Gaea Vitality was launched in April 2021. For the time being, its sole product is fruit-infused sea moss gel.
De la Rosa famous that Caribbean folks have been utilizing sea moss for many years, and it may be discovered in the marketplace as dried sea moss and plain sea moss gel.
“Rising up we might have used sea moss in punches, combined it in numerous dairy merchandise, or sweetened it with condensed milk. I realised we’ve got been contradicting the most effective advantages of sea moss for years by mixing it with dairy as a result of sea moss is one thing that rids the physique of mucus and dairy is a major supply of mucus.”
As such, all Gaea merchandise are dairy-free. Nevertheless, they’re made with wild-crafted sea moss and actual fruits, are 100 per cent pure, 100 per cent natural, 100 per cent vegan, sugar free, bisphenol A free, gluten free, with no genetically modified organisms, preservatives, synthetic flavouring or synthetic colouring.
Flavours embody pineapple; coconut; ginger and turmeric; soursop; guava; hibiscus, ginger and citrus; in addition to three new flavours of ardour fruit; mango and chia seeds; and pina colada.
He added that the mango, guava, and soursop flavours are seasonal however the group, consisting of his two sisters, and mom as head of manufacturing, shares a number of the fruits to increase manufacturing.
Gaea Vitality’s sea moss gel could be very versatile and could be eaten as is, combined in teas, smoothies, salad dressings, juices, eaten with oats, used to thicken and flavour sauces, and a few flavours can be utilized as an alternative choice to jam.
“With covid19, individuals are nonetheless searching for pure methods to spice up their immunity. And everyone seems to be on the go they usually might not have time to course of sea moss in a manner that might be scrumptious. We wished to enchantment to individuals who need to go on that pure well being journey and made it simple and handy for them to take action.”
The ocean moss gels could be ordered for supply on Instagram at gaeaenergytt, and Fb at Gaea Vitality TT.
“We will probably be launching supply to Tobago within the coming week and we’ll be part of the 868 Pop Up Store, Halloween version, at Trincity Mall on October 30 alongside native manufacturers corresponding to Bananarama and John’s Geera.
“We’re additionally engaged on entering into numerous shops quickly so customers can stay up for that, which will probably be introduced within the coming weeks.”
Gaea Vitality may also be introducing three new flavours by the tip of the yr, and its group is engaged on different sea moss-based objects together with popsicles, juices and cocktails, and gummy bear snacks which will probably be gelatin free.
De la Rosa plans to finally transfer away from sea moss-based merchandise and develop merchandise primarily based on a number of the superfoods and pure cures which can be well-known within the Caribbean.
“I see Gaea Vitality being a family title as a vegan, natural wellness model. One factor I pleasure myself and the group on is that we produce high-quality, all-natural merchandise.
“We really consider nature has offered the whole lot we have to unlock our final potential. That’s the driving power behind the model. The primary purpose is to enhance general heath and wellbeing.”