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From cocktail dresses to athleisure and everything in between, she knows how to tie everything together in style
At a young age, Filipino fashion designer Rosanna Ocampo Rodriguez has had her early training in fashion, owing to her mother who introduced her to the joy of fabric sourcing and the beauty of bespoke dresses sewn by a local modista (seamstress). She would have her prom dresses tailor-made with the fabrics she sourced herself and, fortunate as she was, her father surprised her one day, hiring a personal in-house seamstress who would make her clothes the way she wanted them.
Innately creative, Rodriguez flew to Milan to study fashion at the prestigious Istituto Marangoni in the Montenapoleone/Brera zone, the very pulse of the city. Upon her return to Manila after five years of living abroad, she started her eponymous fashion label to put everything she learnt to use.
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My years in Milan were the best times of my single life. After obediently studying business management in Manila, I was finally learning something I had been dreaming of for so long. It was surreal seeing fashion legends walking around or running alongside your treadmill in the gym. I loved my stay there and never once felt homesick.
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I have a lot of memorable creations through the years as my style evolved from designing only party dresses to creating things more appropriate for ladies who work and have long lunches and everything in between—my love for colour and femininity always remains the same. However, it was truly a special moment when my clothes made the cut for the Lancel Campaign back in 2011; my clothes were worn by my international muse Zhou Xun.
I have always been drawn to jacquard, especially for the embroidered cocktail tops and dresses we are known for. I mostly source in Asia unless I am designing for formal wear; that is when I switch to lace sourced from France and Italy.
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All our artisans are in-house—some have passed down their know-hows to their children who help us occasionally if we need extra help during the busy season. We are a team of 12 and more than half have been working with me since the beginning of my 14-year career.
I am currently collaborating with a local fashion house now which I admire and respect very much. I cannot say much for now, but we should launch towards the later part of the second quarter. I also just opened my new baby, Modista Xpress, which focuses on alterations, tailoring and repair services for both men and women. This brings me full circle to my beginnings.
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After recovering from the initial shock of what was going on, we brainstormed and pivoted to Le Weekend, our pandemic-born baby. Le Weekend, whose motto is “musiq, cardio and cocktails” targets women who have a more casual, relaxed take on dressing while keeping a very active fitness regimen without having to sacrifice or enjoy a bottle of wine. We came up with three categories: Le Weekend Sport (sportswear); Le Weekend Play (everyday resort wear); and Le Bar (our bar carts for your happy to happiest hours). This brand has continued to maintain a strong presence until now and we are able to penetrate a diff market that varies from our black label.
My family remains my biggest inspiration. I do everything for them. I fondly call my kids Alejandro and Alessia my sun and moon because I have always wanted to be a mother since I was young, and it is undoubtedly the best and most fulfilling job in the world.
I am also not one to keep still and fall into a monotonous routine. I love conceptualising ideas, changing things up and keeping things exciting. I am a happier and better person when I have a lot of things going on at the same time.
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I draw inspiration from travel, music, colour and long European summers when the sun never seems to set!
My favourite cities are Milan, Mykonos, Barcelona and Formentera. I love museums such as the Musée D’orsay, Musée Rodin and Accademia Gallery.
My most memorable trip was when we went to Queenstown, New Zealand last Christmas 2019 and was just completely blown away by its untouched beauty. My mum also took my entire clan of 31 to celebrate her 80th birthday amidst grandiose, surreal backdrops. It was a serene and meaningful trip that revolved around nature and quality family time made even more special as it turned out to be the last trip we took as Covid-12 two hit two months later.
I am a full-blown romantic and a sucker for classics like Meet Joe Black and Eat, Pray, Love. I also love a good tear-jerker where I bawl my eyes out while I also like The Good Morning Show and Big Little Lies.
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Whether on assignment or not, Maritess is always on the lookout for off-the-beaten-path destinations as well as the yummiest finds in the Philippines and abroad. In 2020, she plunged into the black hole of Korean la la land. Follow her escapades at @matetreyes.
