From The Ramp to reality
Maganda at mura.” That’s what Xandra Ramos-Padilla wants savvy shoppers to remember when thinking of The Ramp Crossings. This is music to any keen shopper’s ears. Low-key and unassuming despite coming from a recognized lineage, Xandra Ramos-Padilla is the general manager of Crossings and The Ramp Crossings. After earning a degree in Management Engineering from the Ateneo de Manila University, she took her MBA at Kellogg Graduate School of Management in Northwestern University in Chicago. She spent a few years in the ladies’ fashion division of the merchandising department of Wal-Mart stores in Bentonville, Arkansas. After a short stint in Wal-Mart China, she returned to the Philippines to take over Crossings. Working as the purchasing manager for books at another family business, National Book Store was her initial retail experience. In 2005, she launched The Ramp Crossings as the fashion hub for independent Filipino designers inside Crossings. “I was inspired by stores like Le Bon Marche in Paris, Lane Cawford in Hong Kong and Barneys in New York. Their mannequins were always dressed in head-to-toe outfits that I just had to have,” she says. “However, I always got a shock every time I looked at the price tag even if the item was already on sale,” she continues. “Then, after another trip to Bangkok, I realized that they had local designer collections that were not mass-market but had beautiful styles created for their local fashion denizens. So we invited Filipino designers to create ready-to-wear lines for us. Now we are a great venue for budding designer-entrepreneurs to showcase their lines,” she adds.
Xandra is discreet yet a force to be reckoned with. She is in complete control of her business. The integrity and viability of The Ramp is given more emphasis when I met Ramos-Padilla on a workday wearing a utilitarian dress from Faith Hope Love paired with Possibility heels, both in-house brands. “As a group, we identify the strongest trends, and let each brand interpret their own style,” she says. Not content there, they also came up with an in-house magazine to guide the shopper to the latest in fashion. “The Ramp Crossings is like a designers’ collective, a fun fashion community where collections run by young, independent designers represent diverse style personalities.” Inspired by the international runways, Crossings designers produce an edited collection of the best styles and most important trends. Take your pick from these brands, where you can find key pieces to update your wardrobe based on your lifestyle.
“The Ramp features structures and sculptural pieces that can take you from hectic corporate day to an eventful night,” she describes. It is the mod woman’s answer to power dressing. “You don’t just wear these clothes but they wear you,” she adds. “Next is Faith Hope Love’s casual chic style, perfect for the on-the-go creative professional.” It is preppy, nautical and easy. “While Wildflower is the sexy and trendy line,” she continues, “and United Pop is the go to brand for cocktails and dressy occasions, like product launches, exhibits and fashion shows.” Styles in easy-to-wear jersey, bright printed chiffon with modern updates of classic cuts and sometimes a touch of embellishment define the brand. Amber, on the other hand, provides dresses for attending special occasions like weddings, proms or other formal events. It’s for the woman on the go who has no time to have one made-to-order. Now on to probably what the Filipino is most famous for: shoes. Possibility is about making a statement. “Not only are you putting your best fashion foot forward but you are also helping the artisans of Marikina who make each shoe by hand,” she stresses. In addition, look forward to a street-savvy line with hip layering pieces soon to come from Possibility.
It takes determination and commitment for a business to succeed and moreover, to endure. It is not an easy route to feature only Filipino designers and entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the market is shared with brands that have global access. At a time when our expectations for a bright future are so high, The Ramp Crossings is part of the answer. Buy Filipino. Take The Ramp Crossings’ lead and support the industry. It’s our optimistic expression of the current Filipino vibe.
“Nothing is too basic in The Ramp. The Ramp likes to turn up the fashion level of each outfit. There may be some key wardrobe builders that are new, stylish updated versions of the classics that could be keepers, along with the trend items that could be mixed and matched,” she says. I asked Xandra to choose styles already available in the stores to spruce up your wardrobe and some pieces that will eventually become staples in your closet.
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All products are from The Ramp Crossings. Shops are located in Glorietta 3, Podium, Crossings Shangri-La Plaza, Crossings Quezon Avenue, Crossings TriNoma. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/therampcrossings.
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Send queries and suggestions to jo@joyceorena.com.
