Dr. Moreno, a professor in the Textiles, Merchandising, and Design Department at URI, spoke about the Latino population and how to reach them. She used the terms Hispanic and Latino interchangeably. Hispanic is the term used by the U.S. government to classify all legal residents of Spanish origin including those from Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Cuba. This broad term encompasses a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds that are really quite different. The term Latino is used for those individuals from Latin America, legally or illegally in the United States. The term Latino is more accurate. The term Hispanic defines a certain ethnicity, or the cultures, values, or foods of people. Latino refers to a biological make-up, or to where a person can actually trace their roots back.

Most Hispanics in the United States are Mexican, both legally and illegally. Hispanics tend to congregate in certain states. There is a high Hispanic population in Nevada, California, New Mexico, Florida and New York. They tend to stay in major metropolises. The median age of Hispanics is 26 years old, compared to that of non-Hispanics at 34 years old; they are younger and growing in numbers in this country. Hispanics put great emphasis on family and having children. Hispanics often have more children than non-Hispanics and keep their families together, having multi-generations living together. Statistics about education show that Hispanics are much less likely to graduate from high school than non-Hispanics and very few go on to higher education. Most Hispanics speak both Spanish and English, making the numbers of Spanish-speaking Americans grow rapidly over the past decade.

The majority of Hispanics in this country work as laborers and operators, or secretaries. This reflects the lack of education they receive and is very similar to other minority groups. Since Hispanic households usually consist of multi-generations and extended family, there are a number of incomes. Even with multi-incomes, many Hispanics find themselves just above the poverty line, if not below. Twenty-eight percent of Hispanic families are below the poverty line, while only 13% of non-Hispanic families are in this bracket.

Latinos are usually smaller and shorter in stature than non-Hispanics. They need clothes to be cut differently, and the styles they typically desire are different as well. Hispanics are often more clothes and style conscious than others are. Dr. Moreno gave an example of friends of hers living in a very snowy and cold climate never buying or wearing boots because they were not fashionable, or women refusing to leave their house, even to run to the store, without full make-up on. The stereotypical Hispanic woman being a "sexy Latin Lover" wearing tight clothing and high heels is not totally incorrect. More emphasis is placed on appearance and sexiness by Hispanics. Body types and ideals are also different in Hispanic cultures. Stereotypes are being broken down more and more by Hispanics entering the mainstream in this country. People such as Jennifer Lopez, Rosie Perez, Santana, Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek are becoming role models as well as Hispanic icons in the United States.

Hispanics are appearing more than ever in America, as actors, singers and role models. The difference between Hispanics and non-Hispanics is a difference that needs to be recognized and catered to. Designers need to design clothes for the Hispanic woman and man, as they are an important, growing portion of the population.