Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez: Color me cool
MANILA, Philippines - “People come to me for color,” begins fashion designer Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez, as she describes her work. And why not? If only for her gales of laughter and the megawatt smile always pasted on her face, it’s easy to see that this fun-loving Woman of Allure is indeed a wellspring of colors — both in fashion and in life.
The youngest of six siblings in the Ocampo business clan, Rosanna is easily the dash of color in a family of suits. “I had zero interest in business,” she says, rolling her eyes animatedly at the thought. However, she still studied business at the University of Asia and the Pacific (at the prodding of her parents). But once that was done, Rosanna followed her heart and flew to Milan, Italy. And then, in 2002, her love affair with fashion began. Aside from training in top fashion schools, she also finished a summer course in draping at the Paris American Academy and even worked for the Livia Gregoretti Showroom for a year and a half.
Ten years later, Rosanna is now on top of Philippine fashion’s food chain. Her designs are known for their vivacious flair – never boring, never plain. When asked how much of her personal taste makes it from her head to her design, Rosanna admits that it’s a lot. “My style is very much reflected in my designs. I love color, I love being playful. All my dresses, I wear. I have never worn anyone else!” she confesses.
But that’s not to say that she doesn’t look to other designers for inspiration either. Incidentally, her style icons mostly happen to be men. Among her fashion idols are Giambattista Valli for his elegance, Elie Saab for his sexiness in design and Dolce & Gabbana for their high-concept ads and overall fierceness. Of course, there’s also Emilio Pucci, whose designs are as playful as that of Rosanna’s.
Life has been kind to this bubbly designer. Soon, she will receive a new gift — that of motherhood. “I’m very thankful because sometimes, you don’t get what you want when you want it. But I get to enjoy this at a time when my husband (Marco) and I are ready, and actually wanting, to have a baby,” she shares.
Speaking of presents, Rosanna also intends to treat the female market to a whole new line of accessories that she’s launching come Christmas.
Fun, sexy and creative, Rosanna allures in every sense of the word. “A woman is alluring because of her wit; it’s in the consistency of how she carries herself in everything that she does,” she concludes.
Photography by RITA MARIE ABIOG • Creative direction
By LUIS ESPIRITU, JR. • Styling by MIKKA VELASQUEZ • Makeup by PIA REYES • Hairstyling by ALBERT SERRANO • Dresses by Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez • Jewelry by MILADAY JEWELS •
Shot on location at the DIAMOND HOTEL PHILIPPINES •
Special thanks to the management and staff of Diamond Hotel Philippines
