Tracy Scott Forson

USA TODAY Hispanic Living magazine

It may be a generalization to assume that every Latina gravitates toward bold, bright colors and vibrant patterns and shapes, but Marie Claire creative director and Project Runway judge Nina Garcia embraces those aspects of Latina style with pride.

“I love color. I love print. If that’s a stereotype, I’m happy with that,” says Garcia, who’s been with the Emmy-winning fashion design competition show for 16 seasons. “Latin women are very feminine and embrace color in the right way. It looks very good. They know how to play with prints (and) color.”

Garcia, 52, says her Colombian heritage has helped her excel in the competitive world of fashion for the better part of three decades, allowing her to offer insights that her colleagues couldn’t.

“When I first started in the industry, I know being Latina and having that point of view gave me a very different perspective from my peers. That was my source of strength and power,” she says. “We are a culture that has a lot to offer, and we should be very proud of our heritage and own it and use it for the best.”

That cultural perspective is one unique thing Garcia offers on Project Runway, where she doles out advice, guidance and candid critiques to aspiring designers alongside fellow judge Zac Posen, mentor Tim Gunn and host Heidi Klum.

Garcia credits her mother with teaching her about fashion and that feeling good about your clothes is more important than following the latest trends. Wear what fits and is flattering for your proportions, Garcia advises.

“That was the biggest lesson I learned from my mother, who was a full-figured woman with curves. She was confident about what worked for her.”

While the fashion industry is known for its focus on rail-thin models, Garcia is excited about the twist on season 16 of Project Runway, which premiered in August on Lifetime. Instead of creating looks for the obligatory size 2, contestants are designing for diverse body types.

Garcia, who visits Colombia two or three times a year and insists her two sons speak Spanish at home, says she hopes the fashion industry continues to welcome models who better reflect how most women look, because clothes do more than just cover up.

“The way you dress is suggesting something to the world. In the morning when you get up and are getting dressed, whatever you pull together is a message without words that’s going out to the world,” says Garcia, who adds that stepping out in style is part of her culture.

“Latin women have a real appreciation for beauty. They like to always look groomed, always have their hair perfect, their nails perfect,” she says. “That’s in our heritage.”