They say no one dresses a woman better than a person who loves women. In Rosanna Ocampo’s case, she loves being a woman.

Femininity is at the heart of what Rosanna does. Seeping into the fabric of her creations is a love of life, amplified by a trifecta of roles as a designer, entrepreneur, and mother—just as her Instagram bio perfectly states, she’s a “fashion designer mum”.

Photo courtesy of Rosanna Ocampo

Her designs are quite infectious; from the unmistakable fringes to the occasional touch of bling, all you need is one glance to understand Rosanna’s energy. It’s fun and it’s flirty, just as it is feminine and sensual. Like her zest for life, her palette is rarely ever dull as it takes on splashes of color and textures. After all, her philosophy is rather simple: more is more.

“Fashion should be a playground for personal identity, where maximalism and elegance coexist, where colors and textures evoke emotion, and where women dress for themselves—not for trends, but for the joy of self-expression,” Rosanna shares.

Rosanna’s Showroom in Milan | Photo courtesy of Rosanna Ocampo

Within Rosanna’s creative mind, the worlds of Italy and the Philippines meet. An alumna of Milan’s Istituto Marangoni, her designs embody that la dolce vita way of life—vibrant and free-spirited; a true woman of the world. Whether she’s spending a summer in Ibiza, presenting at Milan Fashion Week, or fulfilling her motherly duties in Metro Manila, Rosanna has dipped her toes in the art of balance, leveling her portions of fun, fashion, and family.

Today, Rosanna boasts over a dozen international locations with stores spanning Italy, the United States, Doha (including one at Printemps Doha launching next month!), Saudi Arabia, and Bulgaria. With Rosanna’s efforts, Filipino talent continues to expand across the world as she dresses women with her vision.

Rosanna in her Milan Showroom | Photo courtesy of Rosanna Ocampo

As a woman who creates for women, the Rosanna Ocampo muse, she reveals, is one who wholeheartedly takes on her multifaceted nature with a pulse of confidence, moving through the world as unapologetically herself as she can be. 

“True beauty lies in authenticity, and I want my designs to reflect that—a fearless embrace of who we are, wherever in the world we may be.”

This Women’s Month, Rosanna takes Metro.Style through her journey, sharing stories about womanhood and how it has shaped both her craft and her life.

Photo courtesy of Rosanna Ocampo

Metro.Style: You have been designing for over 17 years now. Can you share your journey and what first inspired you to pursue fashion?

Rosanna Ocampo: Fortunately, I discovered my passion at a young age. My mother came from a generation of sastres and was accustomed to having clothes custom-made. She often took me to Kamuning to buy fabric, and I quickly fell in love with the process. From that moment, I knew I wanted to be a designer. In fact, I even designed and made my own dresses for sophomore year, prom and senior night.

MS: How have your stories and experiences as a woman influenced or shaped your designs?

RO: I would like to say I am constantly evolving. When I started designing over 17 years ago,

my skirts and slits were sky high as I catered to the party girls when I first came back from Milan. Eventually, I got married and became a mother, those lengths have gotten longer and grew into midis and maxis while maintaining our love for color, prints and more is more.

MS: How do you design with the modern woman in mind? How should one feel wearing a Rosanna Ocampo piece?

RO: The Rosanna Ocampo woman is a woman of the 21st century who has many roles in society. She is a woman of the world and is already confident in her own skin. She is fun, flirty, feminine, and sensual—all at the same time.

Rosanna wearing her design | Photo from Rosanna Ocampo

MS: If you could give women one piece of style advice to help her feel her best, what would it be?

RO: Don’t take fashion too seriously—have fun with it and experiment along the way. Mix and match trends and silhouettes to create a style that’s uniquely your own. The beauty of fashion lies in making it personal and wearing it in a way that feels true to you.

MS: As a female designer in a competitive industry, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?

RO: Luckily, the Philippines has a vibrant, fun-loving fashion community where even with a roster of incredibly talented Filipino designers, we uplift and encourage one another to shine. We stick to the main DNA of RO’s image and vision which strengthens our brand recall and connection with others.

We do however have a consistent problem of hiring new people as the dress making industry is dwindling and does not seem to interest the younger generation. We have taken a chance to reach out to the provinces and have been fortunate, but this still poses a threat to the entire industry.

MS: You are a designer, entrepreneur, and mother. How do you balance your creative career with your personal life, and what lessons have you learned about resilience as a woman?

RO: I learned the importance of time management at a young age, thanks to my parents, who instilled in me the value of punctuality. In our household, being on time meant arriving 10 minutes early, a habit that has greatly shaped my ability to plan and balance multiple responsibilities. Family always comes first, so I start my workday at 7 AM, fit in my ice baths and workouts during lunch, and make sure I’m home by 5 PM—right when my kids return from school.

One must have incredibly thick skin to thrive in this fiercely competitive industry. It takes countless trials, missteps, and years of experience before you can effortlessly move to the rhythm of your own beat. But with patience, perseverance, and a commitment to keeping all five senses constantly engaged, you’ll eventually carve out your own place in the sun.

Rosanna with her friends for her brand's campaign | Photo from Rosanna Ocampo

MS: If you could collaborate with any female artist, designer, or creative, who would it be and why?

RO: I would love to collaborate with local artist Eugenia Alacaide and internationally acclaimed Patricia Urquiola who both embrace maximalism, boldness of textures and color.

MS: If you could redefine beauty and femininity through fashion in the next decade, what would that look like?

RO: Fashion should be a playground for personal identity, where maximalism and elegance coexist, where colors and textures evoke emotion, and where women dress for themselves—not for trends, but for the joy of self-expression. True beauty lies in authenticity, and I want my designs to reflect that—a fearless embrace of who we are, wherever in the world we may be.

MS: Based on your experiences, what, to you, makes a fascinating woman? Who are the women that inspire you?

RO: The most rewarding part of my work is crossing paths with extraordinary women and the friendships born from the pieces I create for them.

Each comes with their own stories, strength, and vision that continue to inspire, challenge and shape me. Their individuality reminds me why I do what I do, making each design all the more meaningful.

MS: Lastly, what is one meaningful way you’re celebrating women this Women’s Month?

RO: Femininity is at the heart of everything we do–we embrace it in all its forms every single day and not just for Women’s Month. Beyond that, I make it a point to appreciate the incredible women in my life—the strong, unwavering support system that inspires, challenges, and uplifts me. At the heart of it all is my mother, who continues to be my greatest influence.

Photos courtesy of Rosanna Ocampo