Mondo Guerra is working hard; harder than most people work. Not only is Mondo Guerra working on the launch of his new capsule collection at Neiman Marcus and a new collection of eyewear for “SEE Eyewear,” he is also a judge for “Project Runway” season 10, a costume designer for Denver’s current stage production of “Legally Blonde” and he is on a large-scale media tour to promote his new campaign in partnership with Merck “Project I Design” which is helping HIV patients around the globe.

Winner of “Project Runway All Stars,” Mondo Guerra is a highly sought-after designer who is not letting his career interfere with his passion for helping in the fight against HIV/AIDS. While on a media tour to help promote his new HIV awareness campaign “I Design,” Mondo Guerra took some time out of his extremely busy schedule to talk to me about his work in the fight against HIV, his new capsule collection for Neiman Marcus and his new eyewear collection at “SEE Eyewear.”

“A patient needs to know to ask questions.” Mondo Guerra explains. His new campaign in partnership with Merck, “I Design” is aimed at helping HIV patients properly prepare for their doctor visits and maintain an open dialogue with their physicians in order to receive the right treatment for their health. The “I Design” campaign encourages HIV patients to write down every side effect, non-HIV health issues and any questions they may have, the night before their doctors appointments in order to ensure they are talking to their doctor about every aspect of their health. This open communication will in turn help HIV patients live longer, happier lives.

Mondo Guerra’s campaign, “I Design,” includes an interactive website ProjectIDesign.com which conveys an easy message, a checklist for patients and also a creative aspect. The creative portion of the website allows visitors to design and share a textile online which is inspired by what they have been going through with the disease and life in general. To help promote the campaign, Mondo Guerra has been speaking to leaders in the HIV community and talking to people from a grassroots level in order to get the word out and help patients tailor their treatments.

When Mondo Guerra is not helping the world fight HIV, he is working; and working hard! Mondo Guerra has an exciting capsule collection coming out in late fall at Neiman Marcus. The contemporary line will include separates which “can be introduced into a wardrobe; you don’t need to buy the whole outfit.” We can look forward to pattern on pattern, bright colors and a collection which is “more refined, more quiet” than what we have seen from the designer in the past while still being “very Mondo.”

In addition to launching his capsule line at Neiman Marcus, Mondo Guerra is also launching an eyewear line spring of 2013 at “SEE Eyewear” which will be unisex. Mondo Guerra is excited about the eyewear launch “this is the first eyewear collection for me, I’m taking creative risks . . . the collection will include prescription glasses and sunglasses; it’s very well-rounded.”  The glasses and sunglasses will transition well from male to female and will appeal to everybody. (author’s note: Since I wear glasses myself, I have to add that I am really excited this collection and can’t wait for its’ launch!)

To learn more about “Project I Design,” please visit ProjectIDesign.com. To keep up on all the fabulous work Mondo Guerra does in the fight against HIV, his upcoming collections, his appearance as a judge for “Project Runway” season 10 and his costume designs for “Legally Blonde” in Denver, please “like” Mondo Guerra on Facebook, follow him on Twitter and visit his website at MondoGuerra.com

*Special THANK YOU to Mondo Guerra for taking the time to speak with me about his work for HIV and his new, upcoming collections.