MANILA, Philippines - At 39, Xandra Ramos-Padilla is in the enviable state of as numerous chick-lit books would declare “Having It All.” Capitalized. Her skin, still fairly line-free, belongs to that of a much younger woman. Her happy home life (two charming children, one successful husband) and flourishing career (two posts at major companies) make her an object of envy to career women and happy homemakers everywhere. And her closet? Well, it’s packed with MVPs like Balenciaga, Celine, Prada and a coterie of young designer labels like Prabal Gurung and Joseph Altuzzara. As well as proudly Filipino fashion creations.
This is the part where we ask: How does she do it?
Juggling her responsibilities as GM for The Ramp Crossings, the young department store in Glorietta, Shangri-La and TriNoma (www.therampcrossings.com) known for its mix of on-trend affordable merchandise, and book-purchasing director for National Book Store (the company her grandmother founded) is no joke, yet the Ateneo de Manila grad with a management engineering diploma under her belt accomplishes it all with ease while maintaining a happy home life.
Xandra credits her time abroad as an enlightening experience. After earning her MBA at Kellogg, the Northwestern business school, she went on to learn the ropes of retail at Wal-Mart. “I learned how to rely on myself and figure out how to make things work,” she tells The STAR. “I met friends who were like family in a home away from home.”
For this edition of Woman of Style, STAR peers into Xandra’s closet and bookcase to see what makes the woman who has it all tick.
PHILIPPINE STAR: You studied abroad for college. What were the lessons you learned abroad that you don’t think you could have learned here? And would you recommend your kids study abroad when they’re of age?
XANDRA RAMOS-PADILLA: I went away to school at 27 after five years of working under my grandmother, Socorro Ramos, in the purchasing department for books for National Book Store.
I was a bit of a late bloomer, but that experience opened up the world for me and taught me how to be independent. Before she left me in my dorm, my mom taught me how to make scrambled eggs. I eventually learned how to make adobo and sinigang because I missed Filipino food. I also learned how to rely on myself and figure out how to make things work. I met friends who were like family in a home away from home, and I learned to deal with people of other cultures.
I aim to send my kids abroad when they are ready just to get a global experience and to gain independence. I’d like to encourage them to discover a passion they can be excellent in and have the option of studying and training for that skill or profession in a school with expertise in that field, wherever that may be.
A recent trip to Europe with your old friends is a regular part of your schedule every so often, right? How would you characterize your relationship with these women?
We call each other the Gold Friends, this group of friends that I went to high school and college with. We grew with each other through the years. We traveled together right after college in our 20s, then again when we were all studying abroad in our 30s and then last March to Paris and London, so every decade. Hopefully the next one is sooner than when we are all 50. We were all fans of Downton Abbey so we drove out to Highclere Castle for a tour. We can get really introspective with each other, and talk to each other about major life decisions and challenges.
In your experience, what does it take to foster long friendships?
You have to grow together and respect each other’s differences and opinions.
What do you look for in a friend?
Authenticity and sincerity.
You work with books and fashion. Which do you love more?
I love both. Both are a part of me. Fashion is exciting, books are comforting, and sometimes the other way around.
What was the last thing you purchased?
Louis Vuitton Yayoi Kusama Lockit bag in white dots on red.
Favorite wardrobe piece you keep turning to?
Now it is a black Alexander Wang athletic jacket that is very versatile. Goes well with printed pants, colored jeans, dresses.
Most insane garment you’ve ever purchased?
A recent one is the Joseph Altuzarra leather panel dress with a tropical print panel that I wore for the Preview Ball this year. I had to lose weight for it.
What would you never be caught dead in?
Sheer or cutout dress with only my underwear underneath.
Local designer you admire most?
Rajo Laurel. I like it that you can go to House of Laurel in a pinch, get a designer dress off the rack or have it made in your size. I like the way he interprets and explores a theme.
Among young designers, I believe in Vania Romoff. She did a capsule line for The Ramp right after she participated in Preview’s PEFTA. I like her modern take on vintage silhouettes.
And international?
Celine/ Phoebe Philo she reinvents basic pieces of womenswear each season.
What piece from the current F/W collections are you itching to purchase?
Rick Owens leather jacket have yet to find the right one or Prada printed coat or jacket.
What items from your mother’s wardrobe do you covet?
Her black Chanel jacket from the ’80s; we are still looking for it.
Are there items you purchase in particular as a legacy for your daughter?
I hope she will still use my Monique Lhuillier lace wedding dress. It is classic and romantic.
Balenciaga dresses are also cut very well and classic.
When shopping, do you follow trends?
Maybe subconsciously because my head is filled with their images, but only trends that are suited to me and that fit my lifestyle. I buy more functionally, like I try to think of an occasion or type of event that I need a dress for, like this year’s gown, cocktail dress and little black dress.
What trend do you currently love?
I love Renaissance/ Baroque for this coming fall so I hope I find something from this trend.
And hate?
I hated neon. It doesn’t look good on my skin. Is it over yet?
When you get up in the morning, do you dress to impress the women you work with or your spouse?
Of course, other women. They can appreciate fashion more.
How would you define your personal style?
High-low, mixing The Ramp collection with key designer pieces each season that will hopefully become future vintage. My aesthetic is modern classic but I love prints and colors.
Any style icons?
Sarah Rutson. She knows how to pick the best directional outfits each season. I also like the blogger Blonde Salad for her playful pairings. Kate Middleton just seems to pick the right dress for each occasion.
How would you characterize the local retail scene now? Is it healthy? In dire straits?
There is a lot of competition. But I think The Ramp has a good offering, a collection that is more sophisticated and dressed up, edgier than the usual basics. It is edited to be suited to women and their lifestyles here. We offer statement outfits or pieces worn with your existing wardrobe. Our pieces are versatile and can be mixed and matched in different ways to suit your style and to create different looks to fit the occasion you are going to. It is about individuality and personal style.
When you began The Ramp at Crossings, did you have a goal you set for yourself?
We’ve achieved certain milestones like opening the Glorietta and TriNoma stores and putting together two successful presentations at Philippine Fashion Week. We have evolved over the years. When we first created The Ramp and invited other independent brands to join our fashion community, I also invited other designers to create in-house brands for us. At one point we had six in-house brands covering different style tribes. But we have since consolidated it all under The Ramp, Mundo and The Ramp Kids developed by an in-house creative team who seeks to reinterpret the international trends for the women here. I think it’s strong now so I hope to open more stores under The Ramp Crossings.
It was also our goal to launch online this year. The Ramp collection is available on our website: www.therampcrossings.com and on zalora.ph.
And would you say you’ve reached it?
Each season is a new iteration in our fashion evolution and a challenge. You have to hustle each time.
I’m excited every time I see The Ramp being worn by different women when I go out or when they tag us on Facebook and Instagram. I love seeing how creatively they style themselves using pieces from The Ramp. I’m proud to see The Ramp pieces taken out during events.
How did you celebrate?
In a way, our forays into Fashion Week were celebrations and we were able to showcase the range and versatility of our fashion collection.
Who do you look up to in the fashion/retail scene?
Net-a-porter founder Natalie Massenet.
Has your work experience for Wal-Mart helped shape your approach to retail here?
I think Wal-Mart is so huge that they have different economies of scale and requirements, and they have to cater to the many, and their execution is admirable. The Ramp has more of a niche approach.
What books helped define your perspective growing up?
If other people have a soundtrack for each part of their life, I have my books. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho helped me find my way home.
If you could leave your kids just one book, what would it be?
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. The book says it all.
What are you reading now?
Wild by Chery Strayed. I’d rather hike the Pacific Crest trail for 90 days vicariously through the author.
What do you read for pleasure?
Women’s literature. I’m going on a trip and I’m bringing Where We Belong by Emily Giffin, and The After Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer and The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.
What do you read to learn?
I go to the bookstore to find inspiration in fashion, interior and cooking.
When you go online, what’s the first site you log on to?
Facebook and Instagram. I’m addicted. I also have a blog where I transcribe my interviews with our authors. (www.excerptsandconversations.blogspot.com) I’m also an occasional host at book events in National Book Store and Powerbooks.
How do you spend your Sundays?
Visiting my parents, my lola and my husband’s mom. It’s all about family and food on Sundays.
What’s the last present you gave?
Narra shark’s tooth necklace to one of my old friends. I haven’t given it, though.
Received?
Dolce & Gabbana black raffia clutch from my mom. I loved the gold coins hanging as charms. I was asking Erica Concepcion of Riqueza to make me a necklace like that.
Who inspires you?
My grandmother, Socorro Ramos.
When are you happiest?
At night when my husband and two kids and I are playing or reading books together. Their laughter is pure joy.
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Xandra Ramos-Padilla is on Twitter and Instagram. Follow her @XandraRamos.