From Dorchester to Paris: How City on a Hill Shaped My Journey to Paris Fashion Week
April 18, 2025 | Rhesa Teesdale, City on a Hill Alum
I just returned from Paris Fashion Week where I showcased my streetwear line and brand, Prophet | Envoy, but the journey to Paris started in many ways at City on a Hill Charter Public School, the high school that I attended from 2015-2019.
City on a Hill gave me the chance to travel and exposed me to so many colleges. When we traveled to Washington D.C., we visited the White House. That was pretty dope. My college counselor, Diana Matstrocola, has always been one of my biggest supporters; she truly vouched for me as I applied to colleges and ultimately accepted a place at Babson College. I’ll always stay connected to Diana and to DeOtis Williams, who was my principal. DeOtis has been instrumental in encouraging me to follow my dream. He’d talk to all of us not just about academics, but also about financial literacy and personal success. All of the teachers and City on a Hill faculty helped us understand the tools we’d need to be successful – each in our own way.
Today, I balance my career between working at Wayfair and running my clothing brand, Prophet | Envoy. One of my closest friends from City on a Hill, Jorge Peña, actually came up with the brand name. My vision was to create a Christian brand, but one that anyone could wear, and the name Prophet | Envoy, which means “Messengers of Good News” was perfect.
Showing at New York Fashion Week and then Paris Fashion Week has been incredible. Paris is just on another level; it’s where the world’s best designers showcase their work, and participating gave my brand a new level of credibility. Seeing people react to my designs in person was amazing.
What I love most about my career is the impact Prophet | Envoy has on people. In the early days when I wasn’t making many sales and felt like giving up, I’d get messages from people I didn’t even know saying how much my brand inspired them. Coming from Dorchester and achieving what I have – that resonates with people. My friends, family, and supporters always remind me that this journey isn’t just about me; it’s about bringing that good news and sense of possibility to others.
City on a Hill laid the foundation by exposing me to an incredible network and teaching me how to be proactive and connect with people. By the time I attended Babson, I was able to leverage this skill and grow my network through real, meaningful conversations. My invitation to Paris Fashion Week – I didn’t even have to apply – came through building genuine connections.
