Designer Rob Ray Brings Ancient Strength to the Runway at SKINZ Fashion Show

By Cesar A Reyes

For Rob Ray—better known as Alpha—leather has never been just a material. It’s a language. Growing up in Imperial Beach and spending his entire life in San Diego, Ray discovered leather craftsmanship while apprenticing with a leather maker in the early 1990s. Decades later, through his brand Detoxxx Leather, he continues to transform hides, hardware, and imagination into wearable works of art.

Ray shares his WORD right off the bat, “The WORD is Storytelling. My creative process starts with a feeling, a story, or a specific image that stays with me. Every collection tells a story. Every garment has a purpose within that story. Leather is my medium for telling it.”

That storytelling takes center stage with Ludus, his newest collection debuting at this year’s SKINZ Fashion Show. Inspired by the gladiators of ancient Rome, the collection reimagines ancient warriors through a contemporary leather aesthetic. Strong silhouettes, striking hardware, and handcrafted details come together to explore the balance between power and vulnerability. Rather than presenting individual looks, Ray has designed the collection as one continuous narrative, inviting audiences to experience each piece as part of a larger journey.

For Ray, participating in SKINZ is an opportunity to celebrate creativity while supporting the LGBTQ+ community. This year’s event benefits the North County LGBTQ Resource Center, a mission that resonates deeply with him.

“The gay community has always found ways to express identity, resilience, and pride through art and fashion,” he says. “Knowing this event helps fund resources and support for our community gives the runway a purpose beyond the collection itself.”

He’s extending that commitment by donating 30 percent of proceeds from his collection, ensuring every purchase gives back. “It’s a meaningful way to connect art to action,” he says.

To learn more about Detoxxx Leather, visit www.detoxxxleather.com, follow @alpha_throb on Instagram, or meet Ray at his monthly pop-up on the third Saturday at Rich’s Truck Stop where his latest creations continue the stories he loves to tell.