For years, Roberto Silva has been one of New York’s most trusted behind-the-scenes talents. A go-to sample maker for many of the Garment Center’s most buzzworthy designers, Silva has quietly shaped collections long before they reached the runway. In September 2025, during New York Fashion Week, he stepped fully into the spotlight with the debut of his own label, A.Y.O.R. (At Your Own Risk), presented inside Chelsea’s Clamp art gallery.
Born in Mexico City, Silva’s fashion journey began long before his New York debut. He first arrived in the city in 1994 during what he calls “the golden days of fashion,” securing a small East Village order simply by walking into a store. “I was so excited for the future,” he recalled. But returning to Mexico meant progress came slower, and when he eventually made his way back to New York for good, survival required pragmatism.
Without formal studio experience, Silva built a career in retail and visual merchandising before fate pulled him back to the sewing machine. A denim studio reignited his hands-on skills, followed by a pivotal role as a sample sewer at the Brooklyn Fashion and Design Accelerator, where he deepened his understanding of sustainability and production systems. “More than the end result, I’m a huge fan of the process,” Silva said. “I truly enjoy working with emerging designers, hearing their ideas, strategizing and finding the best creative solutions.”
That love of process informs both sides of his business today. Alongside A.Y.O.R., Silva continues to run a sampling studio that collaborates closely with independent designers, a position that has sharpened his realism as a brand founder. “Knowing what I know about garment construction allowed me to be more realistic about what I could achieve,” he explained. Every A.Y.O.R. sample was made in-house, with Silva overseeing every detail from initial pattern to final presentation.
The Spring/Summer 2026 collection reflects that precision. Structured denim, corseted trousers, sculptural dresses and irreverent twists on wardrobe staples reveal a designer fluent in both concept and execution. The collection’s backbone is the denim trucker jacket, reimagined through proportion, humor and material play. “I love clothes, their form and function,” Silva noted. “I always try to add contemporary touches and a sense of humor.”
In an industry increasingly driven by spectacle, Silva remains candid about the challenges facing American fashion. “Social media and celebrity culture have done immense damage,” he said, arguing that quality and point of view have been eclipsed by visibility. Still, his commitment is unwavering. His goal is modest yet radical in today’s climate: to sell well-made pieces, build lasting client relationships and let the work speak for itself.
With A.Y.O.R., Roberto Silva proves that mastery behind the scenes can translate into a compelling voice of his own. At your own risk, indeed.
