Encore: Reflecting on a Year of Style, Song, and New Beginnings

As the final days of 2025 wind down, I find myself sitting in a quiet moment of reflection. This is the last post of the year here on SUITable, and looking back at the last twelve months, "amazing" feels like an understatement. 2025 has been a year of profound transformation; a year where several long-held dreams finally took center stage.

A Year of Artistry and Milestones

This year, my operatic journey took me to heights I could have only imagined. One of the most unforgettable moments was performing at the Cairo National Opera in Egypt. To stand on that stage, in a performance generously sponsored by the Dominican Embassy, was a cultural and musical honor I will carry with me forever.

Closer to home, my opera company, The Opera Collective, reached new heights. We finally obtained 501(C)(3) status this year, after pursuing it for what seemed like an eternity. We successfully mounted three productions, including a major milestone: our very first fully staged and costumed double-bill. Seeing the vision come to life with such detail and passion from our entire team was a testament to what we can achieve when we lean into our collective creativity.

A New Chapter: Leaving the Core to Find the Spark

In the midst of these artistic triumphs, I made a life-changing career decision. After eight incredible, formative years at Apple World Trade Center, I said my goodbyes. Apple was my home for nearly a decade, and the lessons learned and friendships made there are irreplaceable.

However, growth often requires stepping into the unknown. I’ve since started a new journey at EnergyHub, in a role that has been incredibly enjoyable and rewarding. Most importantly, it has provided me with the flexibility and time to dedicate myself more fully to my operatic career, this blog, and my burgeoning photography journey. Having the mental and physical space to capture the world through a lens (I’ve shared some of the photos on this blog), learn about video and photo editing and get more comfortable with my trusty Canon Rebel T6i, has been a great and yet unexpected gift in 2025.

The Birth of SUITable

Of course, 2025 was also the year I launched SUITable: a project born from my love of classic style and menswear, and from the lived experience of navigating fashion as a bigger man in New York City. Watching this community grow has been deeply rewarding. My hope is that SUITable remains a space where you can see yourself reflected, feel inspired, and walk away with something meaningful; whether that’s a fresh outfit idea, a renewed sense of confidence, or simply a new perspective you hadn’t considered before. That, above all else, is and will always be the goal.

Gratitude

To my readers, those who have been here since day one, those who joined mid-year, and those who are just finding this page today: Thank you. Your engagement, your comments on social media, and your support mean the world to me. You are the reason I keep writing and keep creating.

As we head into the holiday season, I wish you all a time of peace, warmth, and joy with your loved ones. May your transition into the new year be as stylish as it is soulful.

Here is to an amazing holiday season and a fruitful, successful, bold, and confident 2026!

With gratitude,

Jose Heredia Founder, SUITable