The competition operates through rounds of voting by a link each contestant shares. Voters can either do a daily free vote or donation votes of different dollar amounts that equal the amount of votes ($10=10 Votes, $25=25 Votes, etc.).
There are different groups going at once. Rodriguez recently made it through 5 rounds of voting and is now a quarter-finalist in the competition.
Rodriguez tells EastBoston.com, “I have been consistently in the top spot (of my group) for most of the competition so far.”
“As a self-proclaimed stylista, I’m passionate about self-expression through style and how that impacts your individuality, identity and interaction with others in positive ways. Through this competition, I have the opportunity to showcase my personal style in addition to help support a good cause. This experience has been incredibly meaningful because it has shown me how supported I am by family, friends and those who know me.”
The local is seeking support from the East Boston community. If he wins Rodriguez hopes to pay off some of my student loans and possibly invest in creative projects.
The prize package for the ultimate winner ins $20K, a feature in flaunt magazine and attendance at the Versace show at Milan Fashion Week in 2026.
“I’d love the opportunity to share my journey and highlight Style Icon’s impact with the East Boston community,” he notes. “I believe this story would resonate because I do live in East Boston, and am an immigrant American. I also feel I that I represent Panama where my family are from, as well as El Paso and Austin, Texas where I pursued higher education.”
“Really I’m just regular person who is not in the fashion industry,” says Rodriguez, “But I love style and have a unique point-of-view when it comes to how I dress and love to incorporate my inspirations of pop culture, music, movies, 1980s-2000s, street style, super heroes and comics.
The competition ends December 11, 2025 and readers can vote at this link.
