In the new issue of HIV Plus magazine, Project Runway designer Mondo Guerra, who came in second place in the showâs eighth season, opens up about the reaction to his revelation that he was HIV+ on the popular reality competition.
In an episode that aired in 2010, Guerra (right, with Nancy Pelosi) revealed to judgesâand millions of Americansâthat his choice of putting bright, bold plus signs on a pair of pants was inspired by his being HIV+, something heâd been keeping secret for a decade.
The out fashion prodigy, 33, says heâs become more comfortable in being an advocate: âWhen you get up [to the podium], you feel like people are there to participate, to listen to you, theyâre really engaged in what youâre saying,â Guerra tells writer Neal Broverman. âSo itâs actually grown quite relaxing.â
Guerra, who now appears on Project Runway All-Stars, admits his decision to reveal his serostatus wasnât an easy one:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
He knows heâll likely be referred to as âthe HIV-positive designerâ for the foreseeable future, but the reception he received after Season 8 touched him deeply. Heâs also now working with fellow HIV+ activist and Project Runway alum Jack Mackenroth on the Living Positive by Design campaign, which stresses the importance of a strong mind as well as a strong body.
âAfter the episode aired, there was so much positive response from so many different people,â Guerra remembers. âA lot of that was from people who were still keeping their status a secret and letting the stigma really define who they were. It was keeping them from being honest. So coming off the show itâs been my responsibility to continue the conversation.â
Since he revealed his status, Guerraâs family has proven both warm and understanding. âMy entire family has really stepped up to the plate,â he says. âNow they have put a face to the disease and have sought out the materials to educate themselves. Within my own little familyâwell, Iâm Mexican, so itâs not that littleâto see them educate themselves and talk openly about HIV and ask me questions makes me really proud to know that with my community, Iâve made a difference. I hope that continues with my advocacy work.â
After wrapping Runway, Guerra designed a limited edition series of T-shirts with proceeds going to amfAR, and rung the bell at the New York Stock Exchange with Liza Minnelli and Kenneth Cole to honor World AIDS Day in 2010. In November 2011, he participated in a roundtable discussion at the 15th annual U.S. Conference on AIDS andâalong with fellow Runway veteran Jack Mackenrothâheâs a spokesman for Living Positive by Design, a campaign stressing the importance of a strong mind and healthy body in fighting the virus.
Photos: Lifetime, Nancy Pelosi
GreatGatsby2011
I <3 Mondo!
William
This article looks intense and I’d rather play Mass Effect but just want to say it’s courageous to be so vocal about this and I wish all the best.
jj
horrible designer, but i think its great hes trying to remove the stigmatization that come with hiv.
babo
I saw the episode where he came clean about his hiv status. Absolutely loved his courage and his determination to make something something good about a bad situation. I am especially glad that he has made an outreach to the gay latino community đ
Tackle
I think he’s a “great” designer. Very creative and unique. And I love the way he mixes colors and different patterns.
He’s settled into being a spokesman for HIV very well.
In the beginning he was uncomfortable and somewhat passave.
Now he is more confident and sure of himself.
Good job Mondo…
Mike
I saw the episode–thought it was cool—BUT–He has been milking it to boredom–Dude is boring as hell–dresses like a messed up little girl and everytime he speaks–i have to put the mute on–cause he is just self-pitying and morbidly a boring person—but uses Aids as a crutch and uses aids to self-benefit—not cool..
Joe K
I haven’t heard a single person refer to Mondo as the “HIV Designer”, so I don’t know where that is coming from. Everyone knows him for his wonderful designs. Up till today I even forgot that he was pos. He is not the only HIV designer on this series, so i think he may just be milking it. Anyone remember Jack Mackenroth on season 5?