Vania Romoff is indeed one of the designers of the moment. It would be quite unsurprising to think that her relevance in today’s fashion industry is but an overnight success. Perhaps a dress made her viral, a tag from a celebrity injected a shot of demand, or a fashion show made its rounds on the clock app. But that is not the case. It’s more profound than that. Vania says, “It’s always about capital and community building that took time for me. Once you have that, then it’s about consistency, hard work, and growth.”

Photographed by Joseph Pascual

As with most stories, the accolades overshadow the true beginnings. Indeed, today you can expect to see that romantic, dreamy dress with a @vaniaromoff, @studiovaniaromoff, or @bridalvaniaromoff tag. What one must understand is perhaps Vania had a gift of foresight when she took a chance in 2009, right before the conception of Instagram, to establish her label. After an initial failure, the comeback proved to be far greater than the setback.

Coincidence or not, there is a similarity between Vania’s business trajectory to how she creates clothes. She says, “I think there is a certain power in owning one’s femininity. The clothes that I create are always about celebrating womanhood—the softness of it and the strength of it.”

When asked to describe the women who wear Vania Romoff, it feels like a banner song about how women are empowered to be who they truly are. Vania says of her clientele, “She is a woman who embraces and celebrates herself—self-assured in her sense of style. She appreciates details and craftsmanship. Her style is never loud but rather about how it makes her feel: comfortable but elevated, stylish but refined.”

Fifteen years forward, Vania’s professional narrative progresses along with her personal life. She notes, “I don’t think I’ve ever found that balance to be honest. There are so many aspects to consider when running a brand. I find that the key is delegation and having a good team working with you. I still do all of the creative work and design while I have a team who work out the numbers, merch, and production lines.”

Photo from @vaniaromoff on Instagram

Vania got married and also became the designer brides looked for. She became a mother thrice over while birthing brick-and-mortar boutiques in the capital region’s fashionable locations. She reflects on how both aspects of her life contribute to one another. She says, “I think most people know that apart from being a fashion designer, I’m a mother too. Running a company while being a mom to three children, I feel somehow helps show and reinforces the fact that women are capable of anything.”

Right when you think Vania’s slowing down, the past few months prove to be a statement season. The Wed, an international bible for making the perfect nuptials, included Vania as one of the best bridal designers. She says, “As a small and independent bridal brand, it felt like a great affirmation that we were doing something right. I’ve always thought of our bridal brand to be quite niche compared to the more traditional bridal design houses here. Our brides I feel are quite fashion-forward.”

The nod only pushes Vania to bigger goals, “We also launched VR Bridal Studio in 2022 which was a first in the local market. It is in an online bridal store that focuses on short dresses for more intimate bridal affairs like civil unions, and welcome dinners. We’re also opening our first bridal RTW store later this year. For over a decade, brides come to our studio for private fittings for their bespoke gowns so we’re thrilled to finally be able to have an actual bridal salon soon.”

Photographed by Joseph Pascual

Photo from @bridalvaniaromoff on Instagram

Vania proves that there is comfort in the constant challenge, like her much-talked-about BYS Fashion Week presentation. “It’s always fun to do shows because it’s a great creative exercise for me. I get to create pieces without the confines of what the client wants. The fashion show was a form of introspection of how my designs have evolved and an exploration of how I could push my craft.”

Photo from @vaniaromoff on Instagram

Photographed by Joseph Pascual

It is clear that anything that tried to tell Vania “No”, only made her work harder for the “Yes.” The womenswear designer acknowledges how the landscape is still male-dominated but with a slowly growing population of female perspectives. “I think in any industry, it’s about expectations and opportunities which are always harder to come by as a woman. There isn’t a magic formula for overcoming these things. As women, we should continue on our individual journeys so we can pave the way for more women. I think for me it wasn’t formulaic. I set my reality and followed my instincts.”

The possibilities for Vania and her brand multiply as the days go by. What remains constant throughout is what she always had from the start. She says, “I think it’s always important for every designer to understand their design identity and strengths. This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t explore and experiment. It’s also important to evolve and better your craft. I feel somehow I’ve managed to create a kind of signature style that my clients know and understand. So they come to me or buy from the brand knowing this. We’re very lucky to have a community of women who relate to it.”

In Vania’s tale thus far, one can see the infinite strength of femininity, undeterred by the waves of change.

Photos courtesy of Vania Romoff

Photographed by Joseph Pascual

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