Fashion Designer Raúl Castillo Passes Away

July 11, 2022

Cuban fashion designer Raúl Castillo passed away in the early morning hours of Monday, July 11, according to posts on social media by people close to him.

Through his Facebook account, set designer Cirilo Luis Lacosta Alverich, better known as Luis Lacosta, confirmed the artist's death, describing the event as "another significant loss for Cuban design."

"I was just called to be notified of the death of a friend, a brother, our most popular designer for young people, we will miss him greatly and also miss his beautiful SMILE," he wrote.

For several years, Castillo presented his designs on national television and was invited to various programs. Cubans also remember him for his constant smiling manner; his fashion shows were sponsored by the Union of Communist Youth, but for some time he had not appeared publicly.

In 2021, a post surprised social media users by showing the condition in which the well-known designer found himself, who as a consequence of diabetes mellitus had both of his lower limbs amputated and was seen in a wheelchair. Cuban presenter Rolando Zaldívar launched an appeal for help on behalf of Castillo.

"Let us help with whatever we can fashion designer Raúl Castillo. From Miami I am grateful for all the medical care that is provided to him in my country, but good nutrition is necessary," Zaldívar stated.

Castillo was 63 years old at the time of his death, having been born in October 1958 in Havana. He began his work in 1981 at the Youth Clothing Company (in Havana). He later became director of the fashion group "Avances," whose objective was to express and promote the concerns of fashion among Cuban youth.

He also worked as a costume designer in national films such as Las profecías de Amanda (1999, by Aarón Vega and Pastor Vega) and Amor vertical (by Arturo Soto). "I have great respect for fashion and international standards, but sometimes I break away from these and showcase short people, chubby people, who are not so attractive, there is the average Cuban, today's Cuban, that ordinary one," he commented in an interview in 2016.

"I have great respect for people who like payé, sequins, feathers, but I always say like the poet: 'the mountain stream pleases me more than the sea.' Cuban first, let us remember that we are not Europeans. The more Cuban we are, the more international we are with our sun, people, customs and culture," he added.