Success stories are always uplifting to read. Especially if the subject is a young, lovely Filipina whose early ambition was to become a screenwriter, or a novelist.
Rocio Olbes chose a path not related to any form of writing and, like many events in life, it all happened by chance.
In April 2006, Rocio Olbes decided to come back to Manila during a school break. She was then a student at the University of Nevada, where she was a history major. During her stay in Manila, she asked good friend Tessa Nepomuceno, who is a bag manufacturer, if she could design some bags. A close friend in London liked her designs and gave her the idea to join the Pure exhibit in London, where manufacturers all over the world display their products. With an armor of faith and trust in God, in August 2006, the young, inexperienced entrepreneur made her way to London to join Pure. She brought along 20 of her bag designs. The main raw material of her bags is our native acacia wood.
Her bags drew a lot of buyers and started the ball rolling for her and her two partners. Soon she was joining exhibits in Milan, Paris, Tokyo, London, and other fashion capitals of the world. Last year, HRH Princess Anne nominated her label for the UK Fashion Award.
Each of Rocio’s designer bags is strictly handmade from the finest sustainable acacia wood. They are cut and finished to perfection and the result is always a work of art. Designs vary from an elegant, natural finish to ones incorporating materials like snakeskin, other kinds of leather, and are embellished with gems, beads and crystals. Some bags are carved and others are painted.
The process — from conception to completion — can take from six to eight weeks. Her label is definitely high-end and celebrities like Sienna Miller, Beyoncé and Lindsay Lohan, among others, are the proud owners of her bags. The Rocio label is sold in 25 countries at stores like the Liberty House in London, Mitsukoshi in Tokyo, Charles Jourdan in Holland, Sauce in Dubai and Penelope in Italy, to mention a few. Her bags have graced fashion magazines like English and French Vogue, Elle and Grazia.
All this success has not changed this young fashionista. On the contrary, she confided that she is humbled by all the attention that her label has generated.
“Everything seems so glamorous because Rocio designer bags are featured in the international magazines,” she says. “But in reality, it is a lot of hard work. Fashion is constantly changing and is very competitive. I have to remain focused and concentrate on giving my clients the best of my artistry.”
Right now, she is preparing a new collection, which will make its debut at London Fashion Week in February. Then she goes to Paris and Milan to show the same collection. Short of bringing the Filipino flag with her, one can rightfully credit Rocio Olbes with turning the fashion world’s attention to the excellent craftsmanship of the Filipino artist.
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For more of Rocio’s products, go to her website at www.rociobags.com.